Raiders employee Randy Hanson, who returned to work several months after allegedly having his jaw broken by coach Tom Cable, is emulating his boss in the best way possible.
Hanson has sued the team and Cable.
Per ESPN.com, Hanson’s suit asserts three legal theories: assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Though prosecutors in Napa County opted not to charge Cable with any crime as a result of the August 2009 incident that allegedly occurred during training camp, civil proceedings entail a much lower standard of proof. Where criminal cases require evidence of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, civil cases are decided based only on a preponderance of the evidence -- that is, a slight tipping of the scales in the plaintiff’s favor.
Here, Hanson’s jaw didn’t break itself. So if the jury buys Hanson’s testimony, doesn’t believe Cable’s version, and discounts the accounts from the other Raiders employees who hoped to remain Raiders employees, Hanson easily could win.
Of course, if a jury doesn’t believe Hanson, he’ll lose.