New York Court Rejects College Pitcher’s Injury Claim

June 7, 2012

New York’s top court says a college pitcher hit in the face with a line drive at indoor practice accepted the sport’s risk and has rejected his damages claim against Clarkson University and the coach.

The Court of Appeals says Tuesday that consenting participants in sports and amusements assume the risks when they’re aware of them, including less than optimal conditions, while organizers must use reasonable care against concealed or enhanced hazards.

In the case of freshman Shawn Bukowski, who played organized baseball since he was 5 years old, the court notes he’d never before practiced “live” indoors without an L-screen for protection. A batter hit his fastball, breaking Bukowski’s tooth in March 2006.

But the judges say he had watched others pitch and the dangers were readily apparent.

 

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Latest Comments

  • June 8, 2012 at 3:53 pm
    sandman says:
    wudchuck, you are so smart. you should run for Congress. Oops, you are too smart to run! But I agree with you. All sports or other public folks know the risk but they l... read more
  • June 8, 2012 at 1:49 pm
    wudchuck says:
    would this not be the same for football? afterall those who claim otherwise from the concussions? they knew the risks but also got paid to play a violent sport!
  • June 8, 2012 at 1:45 pm
    Not Yank Ken U Chain says:
    Hooray for the good guys and common sense for a change.
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