Lawsuit Filed: “Strikeout” Sign Falls on Man’s Head, Resulting in Injuries

Trial Team Leader Elinor Leary and Attorney Clifton Smoot filed a lawsuit on behalf of Alan Whitten against the Sacramento River Cats Baseball Club for negligence and product liability, alleging that employees of the River Cats Baseball Club were reckless and careless when placing a large metal “K” sign on the strikeout board. The sign fell, striking Alan and injuring him during a game.

On September 6, 2015 Alan attended a Sacramento River Cats baseball game at Raley Field with his wife, son, and friends. Alan’s seats were located under the Strikeout Board, and with every strikeout, an employee would place a metal “K” sign onto the board. There were no precautionary signs or any other safety features, such as an installation below the board or a safety net in case a sign were to accidently fall from the board.

During the game, an employee improperly placed the letter “K” on the strikeout board, and as a result, the sign fell, striking Alan on his neck and head.

He continues to incur medical and incidental expenses to this day.