Learning how to sue some one.

Just played in a 3v3 basketball tournament at 24-hour fitness @ 5700 South and 900 East here in Salt Lake City. It was myself and the brothers Fox: Corbin, Ryan and Dustin. Dustin organized it and we were all excited to be playing some ball - we're not too serious about it.

So, in the first game we play I'm back behind the 3-point line and Dustin drives baseline for a layup on the opposite side of the lane from me. The guy guarding me sprints to him and goes airborne for the block. Well, he hits the ball as hard as he can out of bounds, a massive swat, but in the process gives Dustin and forearm and crushes him to the ground with his body. Dustin is lying on the ground, holding his face and writhing in pain.

We all rush over to check the damage, everyone except the guy who fouled him, that is. Dustin gets up after 20 seconds and is saying that a tooth is missing. There is no blood, so I'm surprised to hear this. We all start looking for the tooth and eventually find a little piece of a tooth, but no other pieces. Dustin's jaw is starting to swell up already.

Now, while all the above is going on, the guy who excessively fouled Dustin is walking around like a bad-ass, like he's done nothing inappropriate. Not even helping look for the tooth. We are upset and start talking to him along the lines of "what's your problem?" He says something to the effect of "that's basketball" and he shows no remorse. Doesn't ever apologize to Dustin. Doesn't shake Dustin's hand. Doesn't show the slightest hint of concern.

Well, this is no good at all. This is a recreational 3v3 tournament, not competitive. We're not playing for money and it's a pretty low-key event.

Dustin drives himself to the emergency room while we keep playing after a lot of jawing back and forth about how uncalled for this guys foul was and how he's pretty much a complete prick for not even apologizing or anything.

After the game, I talk to the organizer of the event and tell him that I'm considering suing this guy - the NBA would have certainly suspended him had he taken a whack like this at one of their players. I ask for this guys full name so I can follow up on it later. But the organizer refuses to give it to me. He tells me that we've signed waivers to play in the tournament. I haven't signed anything, but that's not the point. I tell him I'm not going after 24 Hour Fitness, just after this guy. He still refuses to tell me.

So, after the tournament Dustin texts me to let me know that, yes, his jaw is broken and that he'll be having surgery early next week. So, I stop at my local 24 Hour Fitness and talk to someone there about the event. I talk as if the event is hypothetical and they tell me that I wouldn't be able to sue 24 Hour Fitness, but that there is no problem suing this guy. Says the guy isn't protected by any waiver.

Why wouldn't the organizer give me his name? I'm now going to call that 24 Hour Fitness and get to the bottom of this.

Dustin, I hope you recover fast and that they prescribe you some good pain meds. Hopefully we'll get this prick served with some of your doctors bills!