Dancer sues owner of Fort Worth adult club over knee injury

A former XTC Cabaret Fort Worth dancer who says she was forced to participate in an oil-wrestling match is suing her former employer because of a knee injury.

Shaunna Hicks of Dallas worked for three months at the club at 3315 North Freeway, according to her attorney. During that time, the manager tried to coerce her into participating in the wrestling competition, her lawsuit says, which the club staged on Wednesdays. Two women wrestled in a child’s swimming pool that had been coated with baby oil, and patrons reportedly placed bets.

In August 2013, “threatened by the loss of her job,” Hicks “reluctantly entered the oil wrestling ring,” according to the suit filed Friday in state district court in Tarrant County.

Hicks asked permission to end the match but was not allowed to, the suit says. Timothy Brandenburg, her attorney, said that during the first two five-minute rounds, Hicks repeatedly asked to be let out.

During the third round, Hicks’ opponent put her hands on Hicks’ shoulder and forced her to do the splits. Hicks suffered a microfracture and torn ligaments in her left knee, and she still needs surgery, Brandenburg said.

“She had to get into the ring,” he said. “He threatened her. She’s been in pain this whole time.”

Hicks went to an emergency room and later an orthopedist for care, but she did not have health insurance, Brandenburg said. Hicks did not work for nine months but has since found another job, he said.

XTC Cabaret is part of Houston-based RCI Hospitality Holdings, a publicly traded company that operates 45 adult clubs and sports bars and restaurants. It operates the Vee Lounge in downtown Fort Worth, among others in Tarrant County. The XTC Cabaret on the North Freeway has since closed.

Gary Fishman, RCI Hospitality’s spokesman, said the company will not comment on the suit.

Hicks is suing for damages related to the injury and for negligence because she could not do the splits, had no experience in oil wrestling and was not provided training.

Last week, RCI Hospitality and its subsidiary Peregrine Enterprises settled for $15 million a 2009 New York-based federal wage-and-hour class action lawsuit. The suit said Rick’s Cabaret New York misclassified dancers as independent contractors.

This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Dancer sues owner of Fort Worth adult club over knee injury."