Rams Wideout Puka Nchuea Faces Civil Battery Claim Over New Year’s Eve Biting Incident

Los Angeles Rams breakout star Puka Nacua is being sued for assault and battery after a December 31, 2025 clash that left a woman claiming she was bitten on the shoulder and subjected to an antisemetic slur during a group dinner in West Hollywood.

The complaint, filed Wednesday in Los to Angeles Superior Court by plaintiff Madison Atiabi, accalculatesgender violence, assault and battery, and negligence and says the 23-year- old wide receiver causedphysical injury, pain and suffering, medical expenses and severe emotional distress. The suit does not specify dollar amount but asks for compensatory and punitive damages.

What happened on New Year’s Eve?

According to the court filing, the two were part of a large party that started at a Beverly Hills restaurant and continued at a private club. Atiabi says Nacua became intoxicated and belligerent and, without provocation, shouted “F the Jews” at the table. Later, while taking photos, she claims Nacua grabbed her by the shoulder andbit her hard enough to leave teeth marks. She does not describe the wound in detail but says she sought medical treatment the next day.

Nacua’s attorney, Le, does not deny the bite occurred but says it was playful horseplay among friends and that Atiabilaughed about it minutes later and stayed at the club for several hours. McCathern provided photos to media outlets showing the group dancing after the dinner. He calls the lawsuit ashakedown and says Nacua’sreligious character is beingattacked unfairly.

Legal battle heats up on both sides

Atiabi’s lawyer, , says his client is notasking for hush money and notes thatNacua’s own legal team agreed to mediation on March 11, 2026, flying fromTexas to California and paying half the cost. “That is notblackmail, that is aformal discovery process,”Kar told reporters. He adds thatvideo footage from the restaurant as well asmedical records will support the claim.

Nacua’s camp counters thatcriminal prosecutors have not filed any charges and thatLAPDhas notinterviewed Nacua under caution. McCathern says adefamation counter-claim will befilethis month against Atiabi and any media outletsrepeating theantisemiticquote without evidence.

<

potential fallout for the Rams

the Rams front office declined tocommentonpending litigation but confirmed the team ismonitoring the situationclosely. NFLconduct policy allows the leaguetointerview playerseven whencriminal chargesare absent. Asuspension is unlikely unless<>criminalchargesare filed, yetmarketing partners are alreadyreviewingtheirincentiveswith the second-year pro.Nacua signed afour-year rookie deal worth$4.6 million in 2023 andearnedanadditional$1 million inperformance bonuses afterbreaking thesingle-seasonrookie reception record. Anyconvictionorleaguesanction couldvoidguaranteedmoney ortriggerconduct clauses.

What happens next?

Discovery opens this summer. Both sideswillexchange<>video, medical records andfinancialstatements before a<>trial date is set, likelyearly 2027 unless a<>settlement is reached. Meanwhile:

• Los AngelesCounty
  Total

  0

  Shares

  Share 0

  Tweet 0

  Pin it 0

  Share 0