Family files lawsuit after 6-year-old girl dies from badminton racket incident

<p>The family of a 6-year-old girl from New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against Franklin Sports, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer, following the girl's death after a badminton racket malfunctioned during a vacation in Maine. The incident occurred on June 1, 2024, when Lucy Morgan was struck in the head by the metal shaft of the racket, which had become dislodged from the wooden handle while her brother was playing outside.</p><p>Lucy was initially taken to Southern Maine Health Care in Sanford and later airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she died on June 5, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that the badminton racket was defective and unreasonably dangerous, claiming that it failed during normal use and turned its metal shaft into a projectile.</p><p>Attorney Charles P. Hehmeyer, representing the Morgan family, stated that the case highlights a serious issue with the product's safety. The lawsuit claims that the handle and metal shaft were not adequately secured, that the adhesive used was defective, and that there was a lack of a secondary restraint to prevent the shaft from detaching. It also alleges that Franklin Sports failed to warn consumers about the associated risks.</p><p>Hehmeyer noted that this is not the first incident involving a malfunctioning racket from Franklin Sports, citing a previous case where a child in New York lost an eye due to a similar issue. Hehmeyer argued that the company was aware of this prior incident but did not take corrective action.</p><p>The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, including funeral expenses and damages for emotional distress, loss of companionship, and other relief under Maine law. The complaint indicates that Lucy's siblings witnessed the incident and experienced severe emotional distress, while her parents responded to her screams.</p><p>Lucy’s father, Jesse Morgan, a pastor in Rockaway, New Jersey, shared that the family was enjoying their last day at a lake cottage when the accident occurred. In the aftermath of Lucy's death, he expressed his faith and shared that a friend returned Lucy's prayer journal, which contained drawings and notes reflecting her beliefs.</p><p>Franklin Sports expressed condolences to the Morgan family and stated that it takes product safety seriously. The company indicated that it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident but could not comment on the specific allegations due to the pending litigation.</p>