Legal Battle Over Paralysis of Hockey Player Mike Glemser Escalates

After a failed settlement attempt, the case involving a 2023 on-ice incident heads to court with potential implications for contact sports liability.

Former hockey player Mike Glemser, left paralyzed after a 2023 game incident, is suing opponent Jan Niklas Pietsch for €822,000 in damages and pain compensation.
Glemser sustained life-altering injuries, including a broken neck, after being checked into the boards during a game, leaving him quadriplegic and requiring intensive care.
A settlement attempt at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen court failed, and a future trial date has yet to be set, prolonging the legal process.
The case raises questions about liability in high-risk sports, with legal experts noting its potential to influence player conduct and liability standards in contact sports.
Similar cases in German courts have previously awarded damages for reckless or excessively dangerous play, but the burden of proof for negligence lies with the plaintiff.