A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a teen girl that was injured during a field hockey tournament, as the ball had landed an uneven portion of the floor and then struck the girl in the head, and the United States Field Hockey Association, USFHA, allowed the game to continue, as reported by the Pennsylvania Record.
The teen, M.H., 16 years old at the time, suffered a concussion and a severe facial laceration during the tournament on March 6, 2010 in the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Since the incident she has endured more than one plastic surgery operation.
Attorney Joseph T. Thiroway is representing the teen in the civil action. The filing states that M.H., while playing on Court 2 with her team, "Spirit Eagles Central", was receiving a pass from a teammate when the ball's contact with an elevated portion of the tile floor caused it to land directly onto her forehead.
USFHA is named as the defendant for its failure to halt the game after the accident, and for knowing that the court was unsafe and dangerous – due to previously made warnings.
Prior to the accident USFHA had held a meeting to listen to individuals, groups and teams complain about the condition of Court 2. There were no actions made or change of policy following the meeting. The players and umpires, according to the suit, remained at risk of injury for the remainder of the three-day tournament.
Some of the issues that were largely ignored by USFHA, as listed in the suit, include loose tiles, tiles that should have been locked into place and several broken, chipped, cracked and raised tiles. During the first day of play there were injuries sustained by both players and umpires.
M.H. underwent her first surgery to close her open head wound and was left with 21 stitches. Months afterwards a second surgery was scheduled to smooth and flatten the scar's jagged edges. The suit states, "The severity of the laceration has resulted in severe scarring and disfigurement which is permanent in nature."
According to Harding M.H. has already spent quite a bit of money on her medical treatment to date, as well as sustained a shock to her overall nervous system, intense physical pain, mental torment and embarrassment.
M.H. has a protected lien in excess of $6,000 with Healthcare Recoveries. At the resolution of the civil case it must be paid.
The defendant is accused of negligence in failing to take any action to repair the defective convention center flooring though they were clearly made aware of the problem during that week of the tournament.
The suit is seeking over $150,000 as well as costs, delay damages and interest.
The suit states, "Defendant owed a duty to Plaintiff to inspect and make safe dangerous conditions that a reasonable inspection of the property would reveal. In the alternative, Defendant had a duty to warn of known unsafe and dangerous conditions then and there existing."
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another party contact a personal injury lawyer for help. Oftentimes monetary awards will be made to cover the damages you have incurred.