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Huntersville man sues NFL player, citing rare alienation of affection claim

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — A Huntersville man is suing a Philadelphia Eagles player for allegedly seducing his wife. There is a rare claim that can allow people to be awarded millions in this type of lawsuit.

North Carolina is only one of seven states that allow alienation of affection lawsuits, and an expert said people are taking advantage of it, and sometimes winning a lot of money in damages.

Eagles player Fletcher Cox may have to pay Joshua Jeffords, of Huntersville, who claims Cox seduced his wife.

"Basically, ruined my life because I thought I was going to be with this woman forever," Jeffords said.

Legal expert Matt Arnold said the claim is used quite often in North Carolina.

"A third party can be liable for theoretically stealing the affection of the spouse that cheats on the plaintiff’s spouse," Arnold said.

In 2010, a woman won a $9 million judgment against the alleged mistress of her husband of 33 years.

A Wake County woman won $30 million in damages in a 2011 case.

A Catawba County man was awarded close to $1.5 million in a 2014 case.

"The plaintiff has to prove there was some level of affection in the relationship and it was wrongfully destroyed by a third party,” Arnold said.

Sex isn't a requirement, Arnold said.

He's seen cases filed against in-laws, and he said not everyone wins big money.

"I don't generally think that juries are eager to award large sums of money in these claims,” Arnold said.

A lot of these cases are settled out of court, he said.

When the cases do make it to trial, the jury understands it takes two to tango, Arnold said.

Former NASCAR racer Greg Biffle is using the claim in a civil action involving his ex-wife.

Biffle said he and his ex-wife enjoyed a loving relationship before the defendant "enticed his wife from him," acquired "undue influence over her" and became the "direct cause of great marital discord," according to documents.

Biffle and his wife divorced in 2015.