Leafs' Cody Ceci files defence against $8.6M lawsuit levied for May 2018 incident

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Cody Ceci filed a statement of defence against the $8.6-million lawsuit levied toward himself, and his partner, Jamie Thompson, stemming from a May 2018 incident.

Ceci hosted an event at his home, while he was a member of the Ottawa Senators, where a guest named Hana Engel incurred severe burns after an incident with an outdoor fireplace.

Engel alleged that both Ceci and Thompson were under the influence when the incident took place and were negligent in failing to apply the correct safety conditions required.

In the document filed Tuesday with the Superior Court of Justice, Ceci and Thompson deny any negligence. Their statement disputes Engel's version of the accident, alleging she "failed to keep a proper lookout for her own safety" and "moved from a position of safety to a position of danger" during the incident, as reported by The Canadian Press.

Engel has filed a $8.6-million lawsuit against Ceci, Thompson and fireplace manufacturer Clair De Lune Products Inc., and distributor Orca Lite, as a result of the injury.

No criminal charges were filed against Ceci or any other party as a result of the incident.

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