A Chula Vista woman is suing the city and other entities after she was allegedly knocked unconscious by an electrified fence while playing pickleball.
Renee Love claims she leaned against a chain-link fence at the Better at Pickleball courts at the Chula Vista Elite Athletic Training Center on August 19, 2025, to catch her breath. According to the lawsuit, a botched wiring job from a nearby light pole had turned the fence into a "live electrical wire."
When Love touched the fence, she was allegedly jolted by more than 100 volts of electricity, causing her to be thrown onto the pavement and rendered unconscious. Court documents state that the incident resulted in severe injuries to her head, back, and nervous system.
Brian Mason, Love's attorney, told the Times of San Diego that the danger was not unexpected. "The responsible parties have an obligation to act immediately, whether that means closing the courts, warning patrons, shutting off the power, or making repairs," Mason said.
The lawsuit names the City of Chula Vista, Better at Pickleball, Elite Athletic Services, and Brandon Sieh as defendants. It accuses them of gross negligence and premises liability, alleging that the facility remained open despite awareness of the danger.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants "failed to close the courts, failed to barricade or restrict access to the fence, failed to disconnect or shut off the dangerous electrical source, failed to authorize timely repairs, and failed to warn Plaintiff and other patrons of the danger."
"This lawsuit seeks to ensure that the people and entities responsible are held accountable," Mason added.