LIMERICK, Maine — A family vacation at a lake house in Maine ended in tragedy when a 6-year-old New Jersey girl was fatally injured by a badminton racket, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in state court this week.
The Morgan family had been spending their final day at what the lawsuit described as an idyllic lake house in Limerick on June 1, 2024. The older children were playing badminton in the front yard while Lucy Morgan and her younger brother watched.
The lawsuit says the game appeared to be an ordinary family activity until a racket being used by Lucy’s older brother suddenly broke apart.
According to the complaint, the head and metal neck of the racket separated from its handle during a swing, sending the metal portion flying through the air.
The lawsuit alleges the detached piece traveled across the yard before striking Lucy in the temple.
Lawsuit Describes Devastating Injury
The complaint claims the sharp end of the racket’s metal neck pierced Lucy’s skull and entered her brain.
The young girl reportedly stood up and screamed after being struck. As her parents rushed toward her, the lawsuit says Lucy pulled the metal piece out of her head before collapsing and becoming unresponsive.
First responders transported the child by air to Maine Medical Center, where medical personnel attempted to save her life.
Despite those efforts, Lucy died on June 5, 2024, from the brain injury allegedly caused by the detached shaft of the Franklin Sports badminton racket.
The lawsuit says the fatal injury occurred while children were simply playing badminton and volleying a birdie during the family’s vacation.
Family Claims Racket Was Defective
At the center of the lawsuit is the family’s allegation that the badminton racket was “defective and unreasonably dangerous.”
The complaint identifies Franklin Sports, Inc., a Massachusetts-incorporated company, as the company that allegedly designed, tested, manufactured, advertised, promoted, distributed and/or sold the badminton set involved in the incident.
The family’s attorneys argue that the racket’s construction failed to provide adequate protection if the connection between the handle and metal stem failed.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged defects included claims that the handle and metal stem were not adequately secured, the adhesive connecting the parts was defective, and the racket did not have a secondary restraint that could have prevented the metal portion from becoming a projectile.
The complaint further alleges that the failure of the connection directly led to the metal stem striking Lucy and causing the fatal brain injury.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages From Franklin Sports
The Morgan family has brought several legal claims against Franklin Sports.
Those allegations include strict liability, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, breach of express and implied warranties, and wrongful death. The lawsuit also includes a claim under Maine’s survival statute.
The family is seeking compensatory damages related to financial losses, emotional distress, loss of comfort, society and companionship, as well as punitive damages, interest, legal costs and funeral expenses.
The lawsuit’s allegations have not been proven in court, and Franklin Sports has not admitted liability.
Franklin Sports Responds to Lawsuit
Franklin Sports issued a statement expressing sympathy for Lucy’s family while declining to address the specific allegations.
“Franklin Sports extends its deepest sympathies to Lucy Morgan’s family and all those affected by this tragic accident. Because litigation is pending, we cannot comment on the specific allegations in the lawsuit. Franklin Sports takes concerns regarding its products very seriously, is committed to product quality and safety, and is carefully reviewing the circumstances surrounding this incident. Our thoughts are with the Morgan family,” the company said.
The family’s attorneys say the case is about more than compensation. They want accountability and changes that could prevent another child from suffering a similar injury.
“This case represents a parent’s worst nightmare,” Berman & Simmons attorney Travis Brennan said. “We are committed to obtaining justice for Lucy by holding Franklin Sports accountable. We want to ensure these rackets are manufactured in a way where this type of tragedy never occurs again.”
As the wrongful death case moves forward, the allegations against Franklin Sports will be tested through the legal process.
What do you think should happen when a consumer product allegedly causes a tragedy like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.
