Significant Cases

Man Wins $786,760 from YWCA for injury 

Steel Bar Smacks him in groin during workout 

Jason Houston had a dream of playing professional football. As part of his preparation, he lifted weights.

It was during his last workout that Houston's aspirations ended, with an injury that left him helpless against a 5-year old; not to mention a 300 pound defensive tackle.

While he was performing leg lifts on a weight machine at a local YWCA a cable broke and catapulted a steel bar that smacked the then 22 year-old Houston square in the left testicle.

That was the three years ago and he says he's still in pain. This week, a summit county jury put a price on his pain and suffering $786,760.

"I'm glad this is over, as far as the litigation goes" he said after the verdict. The injury has been stressful. It's painful Very Painful.

"I can barely walk, let alone run. There's a constant throbbing of pain. I mean, it's my testicle. That's a very uncomfortable spot to feel pain."

It was Valentine's Day 2004 when Houston, a former Kenmore High School running back, was working out at the Balch street fitness and Recreation Center, operated by the YWCA of Summit County. He was trying to win a scholarship to the University of Akron as a running back.

He was lifting about 150 pounds on a leg extension machine when a cable broke, causing a center steel-rod with an adjusting ball to swing 180 degrees and into his groin.

Attorney Robert meeker, who represented Houston during a weeklong civil trial against the Y, said the recreation center knew the machine had broken twice before while on use. According to court papers, duct tape covered part of the rod.

After he was whacked, Houston was taken to the hospital and he's been receiving treatment for his pain ever since. A nerve pain blocker was installed, but that hasn't corrected all the pain. He has another battery of tests upcoming.

"It's a horrendous injury. Everyone who hears his story just kind of winces," Meeker said.

Now 25, Houston has fathered a daughter and plans to marry next month. He has, however been forced to leave college and some jobs because his injury has left him unable to walk at a normal pace, Meeker said.

David Ross, a Cleveland attorney who represents the YWCA, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Doctors who testified for the YWCA said they could not find a cause for Houston's continual pain.

Three Cleveland Clinic doctors testified on Houston's behalf.

Seven of eight members of a Summit County Common Pleas Court jury reached their verdict Monday afternoon. Meeker had asked for a $2 million judgment.

Houston said he must walk bowlegged to avoid any contact with his testicle and high. He can't run and he said sex is tenuous. He can't play ball with his 5 year-old future stepson because the slightest touch can trigger pain.

He was diagnosed with allodynia, defined in a medical journal as pain from stimuli that are not normally painful.

"I was very happy will the verdict, but I didn't celebrate or anything," Houston said. It doesn't change the fact that my life has been changed."