What kind of evil greedy person sues a sport's team mascot? One that really got hurt, that's who. That's exactly what happened when Grace Crass went to a baseball game in 2008 with her church group. A rambunctious team mascot, the Philly Phanatic, sat on the elderly woman's arthritic legs. Not her convenient lap. And the lawsuit is for her $50,000 medical bill. Grace Crass isn't the crass one at 75 and facing knee replacement surgery.
Have you ever been to a sporting event and dodged a giant furry animal? One whose eyes are down around his neck, trying to peek through matted fur, just so he himself doesn't trip? As when you see a 3-year-old dodging Pooh bear at Disneyland, most people are not comfortable with enormously large animals. Especially blinded ones.
When is a team mascot worth that? Turns out that this particular hairy beast is the "most-sued major league mascot" of all. Why don't they rethink that? Either change the green suit or wear the whole thing differently. How much does a mascot have to cost in legal fees before they remove it?
And Mrs. Crass's suit, per her own lawyer, makes her crassly "unpopular". In case someone decides to sue fictitious characters like the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy, we are reminded that being popular makes the crime almost forgivable? Should that stop her from having her medical bills covered? Does the mascot, or the owners, count on that variable?
The Kansas City Royals Sluggerrr the Lion detached a retina and caused cataracts when he pelted a fan with a hot dog. The Royals are looking for a new recruit to wear the costume, though they claim there's "no connection" with the misfired hot dog. And, someone please explain to me, how is throwing a hot dog into a stadium funny? This is entertainment? The peanuts and Cracker Jacks being sent my way are getting to me safely, as the vendor isn't wearing a blinding helmet.
The Redskins have spent years, since 1992, defending their choice of a mascot that some American Indians argue is racially offensive. Not quite making their case one of personal injury, more of a collective insult, the trademark remains. And so does the feather-wearing costumed mascot. One can only hope when this mascot hurts someone - as mascots are proven to do - the lawsuit could be both physical and personal.
Personal injury cases, whether popular or not, are necessary. And apparently for sports teams, so are furry Mascots. But why can't a Mascot be made kinder? Let the head out of the fur so that they can use their eyes. Maybe then we can all see what's coming.
Fix the mascot head covers. In the meantime, keep your eyes open - both us watching a game in the stands, and, the mascots, hurtling toward our legs.
For more information about law governing personal injury or to file a personal injury lawsuit, it's best to consult a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.