A judge has referred to mediation a lawsuit regarding an assault that occurred right after a 2015 game between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. The plaintiff claims that he was assaulted at Dodger Stadium back and that his injuries could have partly been prevented had the area just outside the stadium gates been more well-lit and secure. In 2017, he filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Dodgers as well as two individuals, a 52-year-old woman and her son.
The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff and his cousin were confronted by these two after the game that night had ended. After enduring verbal abuse, the man said he walked to the parking lot, where he was beaten, knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked. He lost consciousness and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Several minutes went by before Dodger security staffers responded.
Attorneys for the Dodgers state that the plaintiff was intoxicated and attacked the 52-year-old woman, whereupon her son responded to her defense and punched the plaintiff, causing him to fall and hit his head. A judge has scheduled mediation for February 2020.
The plaintiff is suing the defendants for intentional infliction of emotional distress as well as the loss of consortium. His wife states that her husband's love and companionship have been lost ever since the incident. Punitive damages are also involved.
While one cannot judge which of the testimonies is true, inadequate security and poor lighting could potentially provide the grounds for a premises liability claim. Poor lighting in a stairwell, for example, can heighten the risk for accidents. Someone who wishes to file a claim may want a lawyer to evaluate their case.
