Family wins lawsuit against Louisville Slugger

[KFDM COOP]

Family wins lawsuit against Louisville Slugger....what's your take on this?

Jury Awards $850,000 In Louisville Slugger Case

By Ben Jackey/WLKY



LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A Montana jury took a swing at the makers of the Louisville Slugger baseball bat.

The panel ruled in favor of a family who sued the company for not warning users about the dangers of using aluminum bats.

The verdict means Hillerich and Bradsby is on the hook for $850,000. The company said it's not sure what it means beyond that because the jury also decided there was nothing wrong with the product.

“We think that most players understand the risk that they're taking when they step onto the field,” said Hillerich and Bradsby spokesman Rick Redman.

In 2003, 18-year-old Brandon Patch died after being hit in the head by a ball he threw to a batter. That batter was using an aluminum Louisville Slugger.

Patch family attorneys argued the manufacturer did not provide proper warning about the dangers of using aluminum bats.

A jury awarded the family a total of $850,000, including $750,000 in lost wages.

“We came into this not knowing. We were just hoping to prevail for Brandon. This is for Brandon and for the other kids on the field,” said his mother Deb Patch.

“I think we're all kind of wondering if this is even an indictment of the entire game of baseball,” said Redman.

Redman pointed to the fact that the jury did not find the product to be defective. He doesn't know if the company will now have to put special labels on metal bats, but he fears it could change sport as we know it.

“It's really a statement on the society that we live in today that we have to have a warning label on everything and that you just wonder if we're heading down that path more and more of being a nanny state,” said Redman.

Redman said Hillerich and Bradsby is considering whether to appeal the decision.

There is still an outstanding case in New Jersey against the company involving a teen paralyzed by a line drive that came off an aluminum Louisville Slugger.

[CoachBrown]

These parents make me sick. They are not doing this for their son, they are doing it for the money. I hate that their son died, but give me a break.

[rounder17]

Are they gonna sue little league next, for not making the players use wood bats?

[Guest Silsbee88]

This can happen with wood bats, there is an inherent risk taken each time an athlete steps on the field.  I cannot believe that a jury would actually award this. PATHETIC this world we live in.

[rhino1877]

NOT SMART AT ALL!!!!!!!! I cannot believe a parent would think of suing a baseball company because of the bat. Sad times!!!!

[carthagebaseball]

I feel bad for the family, but whats next?, go after the company that made the baseball that struck the boy.

Look out Diamond, Wilson, Rawlings, etc the baseball that you are putting on the market may be too hard.

[juskillenit89]

Maybe while their at it they should sue the baseball manufacturer for not having a warning saying could kill you if it hits you in the head.
Or maybe the kid that was catching for calling the pitch that the kid hit, should have called for a breaking pitch.

[Bucof2010]

Lets sue the baseball manufacturer the league the field crew the coaches...we'll get ritch off our son dying...idiots

[jhsbulldog]

I'll sue the base making company for tripping ;D ;D ;D ;D

[JS]

I certainly disagree with the lawsuit but I do think wooden bats or a "softened" aluminum bat----one that is designed to behave like wood----should be used in High School and beyond.
It is a pitchers worst fear to have that "come backer" and it travels much faster from an aluminum bat.

[EAGLE07]

[quote name="Diamond-J" post="698674" timestamp="1257513573"]
I certainly disagree with the lawsuit but I do think wooden bats or a "softened" aluminum bat----one that is designed to behave like wood----should be used in High School and beyond.
It is a pitchers worst fear to have that "come backer" and it travels much faster from an aluminum bat.
[/quote]

I agree 100 %. I wish we could toss all aluminum bats at every level in the trash.

[Bucof2010]

[quote name="RaiderPower" post="698625" timestamp="1257490660"]
I'll sue the base making company for tripping ;D ;D ;D ;D
[/quote]

I got the cleat company

[BOSoxfan4life]

I wonder how many Cubs and Mets fans will be suing their teams for Heartbreaks ever year. 

[JS]

So did the pitcher step in front of the ball?

[PANTHERPLAYA09]

Hey, why didnt they just sue the company that manufactured the gate that let him step on the field? I mean, he did know that getting hit was a possibility....Or maybe sue the hitters parents for producing such a powerful batter...

[portnechesgrovesbaseball]

this is dumb. the parent's of this child should feel pathetic!

[59n Sports]

The parents arnt feeling anything but all the money in their pockets. Since they did win the lawsuit I wounder if they are setting up a scholarship fund for future baseball players in their area. I mean if they was awarded $850,000 for the lawsuit and another $750,000 that is 1.6mil. What kind of job to his parents have. If they make that much money they surly don't need the $850,000. This is crazy.

  I guess I am going to sue mazino for my son twisting his ankle when he rounded second base, anybody wan in on it let me know.