Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson recently avoided criminal charges over allegations that he assaulted massage therapists, but 22 civil lawsuits against him stand, and in two of them, theories of unlawful acts have expanded. The further the litigation goes, the more insight for the NFL, which could punish Watson at any time.
On April 4, two of the massage therapists filed amended petitions adding a cause of action for negligence and gross negligence. Negligence refers to unreasonable conduct by a defendant who owes duty of care to the plaintiff and, in breaching that duty, harms the plaintiff. Gross negligence refers to reckless conduct that also breaches a duty and causes harm. The previous causes of action against Watson are predicated on intentional or knowing misdeeds, including assault and infliction of emotional distress.
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The therapists’ attorney, Tony Buzbee, contends that Watson (1) owed a duty of reasonable care to the therapists and (2)…