A healthcare executive is suing the New York Yankees for $10 million, alleging that inadequate safety netting at Yankee Stadium allowed a broken bat to strike her in the head, causing a traumatic brain injury. The incident occurred on June 2, 2026, during a game between the Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians.
Stephanie Duluc, 37, chief of staff at SOMOS Community Care, was seated in fourth-row seats directly behind home plate when Cleveland Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez lost control of his bat during a swing in the fifth inning. The bat flew into the stands, striking Duluc, according to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court.
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The suit claims that the netting in Duluc's seating section was "significantly lower" than in adjacent areas, creating an "unprotected opening" through which the bat entered. Duluc's employer owns season tickets in this section, described in the lawsuit as among the most expensive and also potentially dangerous seats in the stadium.
According to the lawsuit, the bat hit Duluc with such force that she was knocked from her seat and thrown to the ground, sustaining severe and permanent injuries. These alleged injuries include a traumatic brain injury, concussion, severe light sensitivity, and permanent damage to her neck and hands, rendering her unable to return to her professional duties.
During a broadcast of the game, announcers noted the bat had cleared the screen and hit a spectator. "Bat goes one way, ball goes another," Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay said, as seen in a video clip of the game. "Bat goes into the stands — over the screen too."
Duluc's attorney, Jon L. Norinsberg, stated that despite allegations of total work disability and light sensitivity, a brief television appearance by Duluc in late July, less than two weeks before the lawsuit was filed, did not contradict her claims. "Ms. Duluc continues to suffer significant residual deficits from her traumatic brain injury, including persistent headaches, sensitivity to light, balance issues, and other cognitive impairments," Norinsberg said. "A brief television appearance does not mean she has recovered or is capable of performing her professional duties on a sustained basis."
The Yankees declined to comment on the lawsuit. The legal battle is expected to involve the "Baseball Rule," a long-standing legal doctrine that generally shields teams and owners from liability for fan injuries caused by foul balls and broken bats. However, the rule has an exception requiring stadiums to provide adequate protective netting in areas of greatest danger, such as directly behind home plate. The lawsuit's success may hinge on whether Duluc can prove the netting in her section was defective.
Previous incidents, including a 2015 incident at Fenway Park and a 2017 incident at Yankee Stadium, have led to increased netting requirements in baseball stadiums across the league.