A New York Yankees fan is seeking $10 million in damages, alleging "severe and permanent injuries" after being struck in the head by a bat that flew into the stands at Yankee Stadium. The lawsuit, filed by Stephanie Duluc, 37, claims the team was negligent in providing inadequate protection for spectators.
Duluc was seated in the fourth row behind home plate on June 2 during a game between the Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians. In the fifth inning, Guardians player Jose Ramirez accidentally launched his bat into the stands, hitting Duluc on the side of her head. The suit states the impact knocked her from her seat and caused her to fall, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and other serious injuries.
Her alleged injuries include a concussion, persistent post-traumatic headaches, light sensitivity, hand injuries, and a neck injury. The lawsuit asserts that Duluc has experienced and will continue to suffer physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, and a loss of enjoyment of life. She is also seeking compensation for medical expenses and a loss of past and future earning capacity.
According to the lawsuit, the Yankees "negligently, carelessly, and recklessly" failed to ensure adequate fan safety. It contends that the netting installed in front of Duluc's section was "materially lower" than the netting protecting adjacent seating areas, creating an open gap through which a bat could foreseeably fly.
"This dangerous condition violated applicable safety codes, statutes, regulations, and accepted industry safety standards," the suit claims, arguing that the disparity in netting height exposed spectators to an unreasonable risk of harm from objects leaving the field of play.
Duluc's attorney told the New York Post that a brief television appearance shortly before the lawsuit was filed does not indicate recovery, stating that she continues to experience significant residual deficits from her traumatic brain injury, including headaches, light sensitivity, balance issues, and cognitive impairments. The Yankees have been contacted for comment. The lawsuit was filed on August 6, 2026.