A woman who attended a Houston Astros game back on July 8, 2018, is suing the organization after allegedly being struck in the finger by a t-shirt cannon operated by team mascot, Orbit.
As per ABC13.com, Jennifer Harughty is seeking a $1 million after her index finger was shattered from close range when she was sitting behind third base, referring to it as "a life-changing event"
"It was a life-changing event that I think if it happened to anybody else ... they would feel the same way," Harughty said. "It has nothing to do with the Astros."
Following the game, Harughty was forced to go to an emergency room where she was informed that surgery was necessary to fix the fractured finger. Two screws had to be inserted into her finger before attending physical therapy sessions twice a week.
In October, Harughty underwent her second surgery to remove the screws in hopes of making her finger functional again. According to the lawsuit filed, her finger doesn't have any range of motion whatsoever, permanently impairing the finger.
"We thought maybe there is something the Astros can do to help. We're over $15,000 in medical bills, multiple surgeries," said Harughty.
Harughty alleges the Astros organization was negligent with the T-shirt cannon, failed to provide warnings about the risk associated with the cannon, didn't properly train staff and employees on the equipment and failed to have policies in place to ensure fans' safety.
Along with the physical pain, Harughty also wants to be compensated for medical expenses, mental anguish, lost opportunity, lost enjoyment of life and lost earnings, saying that the resulting injury will continue to affect her in the future.
The Astros released this statement on the lawsuit:
"The Astros are aware of the lawsuit with allegations regarding Orbit's t-shirt launcher. We do not agree with the allegations. The Astros will continue to use fan popular t-shirt launchers during games.
As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment on this matter."
(h/t ABC13 Houston)
