Ex-USC player sues school over accident

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Former University of Southern California running back Stafon Johnson says he has sued the school and a coach over a 2009 weightlifting accident.

Johnson and his attorney held a news conference in Los Angeles Monday in which they blamed USC and former assistant strength coach Jamie Yanchar for injuries suffered by the athlete in a September 2009 incident.

Johnson is seeking unspecified damages from the university and Yanchar, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Johnson's attorney, Carl Douglas, said a weightlifting bar carrying 275 pounds was "knocked out" of the athlete's hands, causing it to fall on his neck and throat. The resulting injuries necessitated several surgeries and long therapy sessions for the one-time USC football player.

Douglas told reporters the injuries could have been fatal if not for Johnson's superior strength and conditioning.

"USC firmly believes it was not at fault in Stafon Johnson's unfortunate weightlifting accident," USC said in a statement to the Times.