NEW YORK -- A television reporter Monday collected $425,000 in a settlement with a wrestler who allegedly boxed his ears while he was doing an expose on professional wrestling, a lawyer said.
John Stossel, 40, a consumer reporter for the ABC-TV newsmagazine show '20-20,' still suffers 'pain in the ears when he hears high-pitched or loud sounds,' his lawyer, Robert Kelner, said.
Stossel was allegedly 'struck with an open hand' on both ears by wrestler David Schults Dec. 28, 1984 while doing a story on wrestling, the attorney said.
The reporter sued Schults and Titan Sports, Inc., which sponsored shows on which the wrestler appeared, for an undetermined amount of money after the alleged fight.
Kelner said Stossel won a $425,000 settlement Monday.
'I expect that a case such as this will deter such violent acts against the public and reporters,' Kelner said.
Kelner said an agreement was reached several months ago but the settlement became final Monday. The lawyer for the wrestler, Melvin Katz, could not be reached for comment.
