Puka Nacua, the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, has formally responded to a civil lawsuit accusing him of biting a woman during a New Year’s Eve 2025 night out in Los Angeles. In court documents filed Tuesday, Nacua‘s legal team challenges several claims made by plaintiff Madison Atiabi, presenting multiple defenses that shift part of the responsibility toward her alleged conduct during the evening.
The lawsuit, filed in March, includes allegations of gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence arising from an incident involving mutual friends. While Nacua‘s attorneys acknowledge that a biting incident occurred, they argue it was not intentional harm but instead took place during what they describe as consensual horseplay in a social setting.
Atiabi‘s original complaint alleges that tensions escalated after a dinner with mutual acquaintances, where she claims Nacua made offensive remarks, including statements she described as antisemitic.
According to the lawsuit, the situation worsened later in the night when the group traveled in a sprinter van to another location, during which Atiabi says she was suddenly attacked and bitten on the shoulder, leaving a visible injury.
Her legal filing painted the incident as violent and unprovoked, leading to claims of emotional distress and physical harm. Nacua‘s legal representatives have denied the allegations regarding offensive language and maintain that the overall account presented in the lawsuit is inaccurate and incomplete.
Legal arguments clash as both sides defend their accounts
Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, has acknowledged that the biting incident did occur but insists it has been misinterpreted in the lawsuit. He argues that the contact happened during mutual horseplay and was never intended to cause injury or harm.
The defense filing also includes multiple affirmative defenses, suggesting that Atiabi‘s alleged alcohol consumption and behavior during the evening played a significant role in escalating the situation.
According to the legal response, her intoxication and actions may have contributed to any injuries sustained, and the defense argues that liability should be assessed accordingly as the case moves forward in civil court.
Atiabi‘s attorney Joseph Kar has rejected claims that she contributed to the incident, stating that the defenses raised by Nacua‘s team do not apply to allegations involving intentional misconduct and gender-based violence.
While he declined to offer extensive comment on the latest filing, he reiterated that his client disputes the version of events presented in the defense response. The civil lawsuit, filed in March, continues to move through the court system as both sides prepare further arguments and evidence.
Atiabi maintains that she was assaulted during a night out with mutual friends, while Nacua‘s team continues to deny key allegations, including claims of antisemitic remarks. As of now, no criminal charges have been announced, and the matter remains a civil dispute subject to ongoing litigation.
The case remains active and will likely continue as attorneys exchange filings and prepare for potential court proceedings.
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