A woman is seeking $10 million from the New York Yankees, alleging that an errant bat struck her in the head during a game and caused severe, permanent injuries. The lawsuit, filed by Stephanie Duluc, 37, claims that the protective netting near her seat in the on-deck circle area was "significantly lower" than in adjacent sections, creating an "unprotected opening."
According to the suit, Cleveland Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez lost control of his bat on June 2 in the Bronx. The bat flew into the stands after Ramirez swung and missed a pitch, hitting Duluc with "such force that it knocked her from her seat and violently threw her to the ground."
Duluc sustained a traumatic brain injury and concussion, along with permanent damage to her neck and hands. Her attorney stated that she continues to experience significant residual deficits from the brain injury, including persistent headaches, sensitivity to light, balance issues, and cognitive impairments, which have prevented her from returning to her professional duties.
Protective netting became mandatory in all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums in 2018, several months after a toddler suffered a fractured skull when hit by a foul ball. While the netting has reduced the frequency of such injuries, varying lengths and heights of netting in different stadiums can still leave gaps through which bats and balls can travel.