sport news Four fans file lawsuit against the Washington Commanders after a railing ... trends now
Four fans have taken legal action against the Washington Commanders and three other defendants citing gross negligence after a railing struck down on them following a game against the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Maryland on Friday by plaintiffs Andrew Collins, Morgan French, Michael Naimoli and Marissa Santarlasci. All four fans claim to still be receiving medical treatment from cuts, bruises and muscle injuries after having fallen onto the field by the barrier's collapse.
The fans, who all live in New Jersey, are each seeking compensatory damage in excess of $75,000 for their injuries, loss of income and medical bills, as well as punitive charges, according to The Washington Post.
The lawsuit names the franchise, the company owning the stadium's rights and a security service for large crowds as defendants. Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder is also the owner of FedEx Field.
'Defendants knew, or should have known, that extreme pressure [from the weight of leaning fans] would be placed on the railing between where the fans, including the Plaintiffs, were located and the tunnel below,' the lawsuit states.
The Contemporary Services Corporation was the operating security company at the Commanders' home game.
Four NFL fans based in New Jersey have sued the Washington Commanders and three other defendants on Friday, citing gross negligence for the railing's collapse
Fans hit the ground in front of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) after a railing collapsed at FedEx Field on January 2, when the Commanders lost 16-20
The barricade's collapse happened on January 2 following the Eagles' away win over the Commanders, 20-16. Footage of the incident showed a set of Eagles fans going overboard and falling 5-10 feet while quarterback Jalen Hurts' was walking down the tunnel. All of them landed on concrete.
The 2020 NFL Draft pick avoided the railing and calmly helped some injured fans to their feet. Mark Tenally, a sports photographer for The Associated Press who stood near the railing, was injured and received medical attention. It is believed that he is not part of the lawsuit.
On January 4 - two days after the incident - Hurts penned a letter to the NFL and the Commanders, inquiring 'what follow-up action is being considered.'
'I tried to handle the situation with a lot of poise and show compassion for the people that fell down, really, but it could've been so much worse,' the 24-year-old stressed to both organizations.
'It didn't hit me until after the fact, having time to reflect on it and think about it, so I just wanted to see what could be done to make sure it doesn't happen again. That's all I really care about it. That's a very tragic incident and it could've been much, much worse but I don't want it to happen again.'
The Commanders later responded that at the time and
