A television stage manager working a Ducks game has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the Ducks General Manager, for flinging a chair at her when he was disgusted over his team's loss during a game in the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, and causing her physical injuries, as reported by USA today and several other news organizations.
Plaintiff Rachel Paris has named ducks GM Bob Murray as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Murray, along with two of his top assistants that were with him that day, claim to have no knowledge of the incident.
Jury selection is currently underway in Detroit's U.S. District Court.
Birmingham-based attorney Mayer Morganroth is representing Paris and attorney Steven Potter of Auburn Hills is representing Murray.
Morganroth claims that his client has suffered with debilitating injuries that prevent her from working. Morganroth explained, "She's lost her house, she's lost her car and she hasn't been able to work."
Potter claims that the lawsuit is completely fabricated and said, "We're confident that the jury will make the right decision after they hear all of the evidence."
According to the suit, at approximately 10 p.m. on May 14, 2009, both the plaintiff and defendant were seated in the press box in the Joe Louis Arena. Just after the Red Wings scored the tie-breaking goal with the Ducks in Game 7 of the playoffs, Murray hit Paris with a tall-backed bar stool with such force that it knocked her to the ground.
Following the attack, Paris allegedly urinated blood and suffered, among other injuries, with torn cartilage in her left shoulder. The latter injury required surgery.
Paris claims that she was also fired from her job because her employer instructed her not to contact the police about the attack. Her employer allegedly said he was afraid that reporting the incident would cause him to loose his broadcasting contract with the Red Wings.
M.N. and R.L., Murray's two assistants, told police that they did not witness any type of attack that night. The claimed to have been standing, one on either side of Murray, within the small press box during the game. After the game, according to M.N. and R.L., Murray simply left the box as he had wanted to go to the dressing room.
According to reports, the incident was investigated by the Detroit Police Department. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office declined to issue a warrant based on the police report. The only mention of the incident was that Paris had been treated, with an ice pack alone, while still at the Joe Louis Arena. No signs of bruising, marks or swelling were detected and she declined, at that time, to be treated in a hospital.
Whether or not your own case of personal injury occurred during an exciting Stanley Cup playoff game or was a simple slip and fall in a parking lot, contact a personal injury lawyer to file your lawsuit and begin to recover from your own damages.