Woman Suing Houston Astros For $1 Million After T-shirt Cannon Accident
Lifelong Astros fan, Jennifer Harughty, says that her finger was shattered after the team's mascot, Orbit, shot the t-shirt cannon at her and her family at a close range.
From KTRK-ABC 13:
It was a life-changing event that I think if it happened to anybody else … they would feel the same way,” Harughty said. “It has nothing to do with the Astros.”
After the game, Harughty went to the emergency room, where she was told she had a severe fracture and would require surgery, the suit said.
An orthopedic surgeon placed two screws in her finger on July 12, 2018. Harughty had physical therapy twice a week, but still had pain and swelling.
On Oct. 16, 2018, Harughty had a second surgery to remove the screws and restore the use of her finger.
The lawsuit says Harughty’s finger still has little to no range of motion and permanent impairment.
“We thought maybe there is something the Astros can do to help. We’re over $15,000 in medical bills, multiple surgeries,” said Harughty.
After the Astros declined to help, she is now suing for medical expenses, mental anguish, lost opportunity, lost enjoyment of life, and lost earnings.
The team released a statement after learning of her law suit saying:
The Astros are aware of the lawsuit with allegations regarding Orbit’s t-shirt launcher. We do not agree with the allegations. The Astros will continue to use fan popular t-shirt launchers during games.
Here are a couple of interviews with Jennifer Harughty and her lawyer.