Wayward Soccer Ball Leads to Nashville Lawsuit
Last week, a Nashville resident filed a lawsuit against Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) after claiming that she was knocked unconscious by an errant soccer ball from atop an elevated soccer field. According to the suit, she had been out walking near the prestigious all-boys prep school last year when she was hit in the side of the head with a soccer ball that came from an open air soccer field sitting atop a 3-story parking garage. She claims that the ball knocked her unconscious and threw her into the street.
Before being struck by the soccer ball, the plaintiff states that she had been a “vigorous and active person” who often exercised and socialized. However, the suit claims that she now suffers from lingering physical and mental injuries. In addition, the suit claims that the victim’s husband who has cancer also suffered because of his wife’s physical and mental injuries.
In the suit, the injured woman claims that MBA “knew of the unsafe condition caused by its use of the rooftop soccer field and the way in which it was designed and used.” The suit claims that the school failed to provide ample netting or other safety measures to prevent passers from coming into contact with the soccer balls. In addition, the plaintiff contends that the risk caused by a kicked soccer ball off of a roof is indeed foreseeable.
Depending on the outcome, this lawsuit could provide a new threshold of culpability for schools’ sporting facilities throughout the state. If the court determines that MBA is indeed accountable, other individuals struck by errant balls outside the field of play would be able to file suit for sizable damages. It would establish a duty that schools owe to those individuals within the vicinity of sporting facilities. It would also likely force schools to be much more careful about providing safety measures to protect those nearby. Although this lawsuit is still in the early stages, it will certainly be an interesting case to track.
Having both pursued and handled serious personal injury cases throughout the Tennessee I have seen all types of fact patterns. If you have suffered a serious injury feel free to have one of our Tennessee Personal Injury lawyers answer your questions.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
