LIMERICK, Maine — More than a year after a devastating backyard accident claimed the life of 6-year-old Lucy Morgan, her family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the manufacturer of the badminton racket they say caused the tragedy.
The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 17 in York County Superior Court, alleges that a Franklin Sports badminton racket separated during normal use, turning part of the equipment into a deadly projectile.
According to the complaint, Lucy was sitting nearby at a rental cottage in Limerick on June 1, 2024, while her siblings played badminton during the family’s vacation. Without warning, the racket’s head and metal stem allegedly detached from the handle and struck Lucy in the temple, penetrating her skull and brain.
The complaint describes the incident as sudden and catastrophic, forever changing the lives of Lucy’s parents and three siblings.
Lawsuit Claims the Racket Was Defectively Designed
The lawsuit alleges that the badminton racket contained multiple design and manufacturing defects that made it unreasonably dangerous.
According to the complaint, the handle and metal stem were not adequately secured, the adhesive connecting the components was defective or insufficient, and the racket lacked a secondary restraint that could have prevented the metal portion from separating during play.
The family also claims Franklin Sports failed to warn consumers that the racket could separate during ordinary use.
Their attorneys argue that these alleged defects were the direct and proximate cause of Lucy’s fatal injuries, as well as the pain and suffering she endured before her death.
Franklin Sports has not publicly responded to the allegations in the lawsuit.
A Vacation Morning That Turned Into Every Parent’s Nightmare
Lucy’s father, Jesse Morgan, previously described the incident as a “freak accident” in a blog post written days after her death.
He said the family had been enjoying a beautiful morning on the final day of their vacation when the children decided to play badminton near the lake.
While Jesse and his wife, Bethany, were relaxing behind the cottage, they suddenly heard screaming.
According to the lawsuit, Lucy’s parents rushed to the front yard after hearing their daughter’s cries. The complaint alleges that Lucy removed the metal neck from her head before collapsing unconscious.
She was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where surgeons performed emergency surgery to relieve pressure on her brain.
Jesse later shared that doctors were briefly able to revive Lucy after she went into cardiac arrest during treatment, but despite every effort, she died on June 5, 2024.
Family Says the Loss Has Been Unimaginable
The lawsuit also highlights the emotional trauma experienced by Lucy’s three siblings, who witnessed the accident unfold. It states they suffered severe emotional distress after seeing their younger sister critically injured.
In his emotional blog post, Jesse reflected on the enormous void left by Lucy’s death.
“Lucy, your absence is felt and our lives will never be the same,” he wrote. “You were so big in our lives, that the holes in our hearts are beyond repair.”
The family is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, including compensation for funeral expenses, emotional distress and other losses resulting from the tragedy.
Attorneys Hope the Case Prevents Future Tragedies
The Morgan family says the lawsuit is about more than financial compensation—it is also about accountability and preventing similar accidents.
Attorney Travis Brennan, who represents the family, called the case “a parent’s worst nightmare” and said the goal is to ensure sports equipment is manufactured with stronger safety protections.
The lawsuit argues that no family should have to experience a tragedy caused by equipment that allegedly failed during normal recreational use.
As the legal case moves forward, the Morgans hope Lucy’s story will encourage greater attention to product safety standards and help protect other children from similar accidents.
Do you think manufacturers should face stricter safety requirements for children’s sports equipment? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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