For more information, contact: Courtney Sweasy, Breit Biniazan, [email protected]
Virginia Beach, VA — On September 25, Breit Biniazan will be filing a $350 million lawsuit on behalf of Cody Bennett, a minor, and his parents, Megan Buchholz and Doug Bennett, seeking accountability for hidden dangers at a Chesapeake gymnastics facility resulting in his quadriplegia.
The case, to be filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, names as defendants Evolution Gymnastics Academy, LLC; 409 Network Station, LLC; Hurricane Gymnastics, Inc.; Wheatheart Investments, LLC; Anthony G. Hampton; and Britney K. Ranzy as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges defendants installed and maintained a foam pit that was dangerously narrow, short, and shallow. Because of its dangerous dimensions, installation, and maintenance, including their failure to adequately equip and replace foam blocks within the foam pit, Bennett – while performing a routine maneuver on a high-bar – landed upon the edge of the pit causing traumatic cervical spine distraction with spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia.
On July 24, 2024, Plaintiff attended an “open gym” session and while making appropriate use of the high bar positioned over the loose foam pit, Plaintiff released from the bar and landed in a manner resulting in an acute cervical spine distraction with spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia.
“Children and families place their trust in organizations and facilities to provide safe, supportive environments,” said Kevin Biniazan, attorney for the plaintiff. “When that trust is violated, and harm results, accountability is not optional—it is essential.”
“Cody’s perseverance through these difficult times serves as an inspiration for us all. But his story and life will forever be marred by the carelessness of others that we must now hold them accountable for,” said Biniazan.
The case underscores a growing need for oversight and accountability in youth-serving organizations, where negligence or misconduct can have devastating and lifelong consequences for children.
Breit Biniazan is a trial-focused law firm made up of trial lawyers who are passionate and dedicated to finding justice for clients who have been harmed through no fault of their own. Breit Biniazan has achieved some of the largest personal injury and wrongful death settlements and verdicts in Virginia.
With offices throughout Virginia and Phoenix, Arizona, Breit Biniazan represents catastrophically injured clients in trucking, product liability and sexual abuse disputes. Breit Biniazan’s success in handling the most significant injury cases has also led to a successful mass tort and class action practice throughout the country.
