MEDIA – A New Jersey pole vaulter argues that his suffering of a traumatic brain injury and a variety of facial injuries at an indoor track-and-field practice, is due to the negligence of two local universities and an unknown athlete from one of those same schools.
Robert Blanchard of Sewell, N.J. filed suit in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 14 versus Widener University of Chester, Rowan University of Glassboro, N.J. and athlete J. Doe.
“On or about Jan. 29, 2019, plaintiff Blanchard was a student at Rowan University and a member of the track-and-field team. On the above date, the pole vault athletes of the Rowan University track and field team and their coach held a practice session at Widener University’s indoor athletic facility in Chester, Pennsylvania, with permission from and approval of the Widener team’s coaching staff,” the suit states.
“On the above date, the Widener University track-and-field team simultaneously held its own practice in the same facility. During the practice session, defendant J. Doe negligently carelessly and/or recklessly threw a weight, causing it to violently strike plaintiff in the head and face, resulting in severe injuries.”
The suit adds that the negligent, careless and/or reckless throw of the weight by defendant J. Doe was “an unusual and unexpected event, not normally anticipated or part of a regular indoor track-and-field practice.”
“As a result of the weight striking him in the head and face, plaintiff sustained the following injuries, some or all of which are or may be permanent in nature: Loss of consciousness, a traumatic brain injury, a concussion, broken teeth, other facial and dental injuries, emotional distress and anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder,” per the suit.
“As a result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of defendants, plaintiff suffered and underwent great pain and was hindered and prevented from performing and transacting his usual affairs and employment, and suffered the loss of the enjoyment of life, wages and earning capacity and was inconvenienced, humiliated and embarrassed, and will continue to suffer and sustain such damages and losses for an indefinite time in the future.”
For three counts of negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
The plaintiff is represented by Michael A. Ruggieri of the Law Offices of Michael A. Ruggieri, in Newtown Square.
The defendant has not yet secured legal counsel.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case CV-21-000415
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com