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A's Outfielder Gelof Sues Tigers Over Injury
Confirmed
In Short: Zack Gelof, an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics, has filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings, and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority over an injury sustained during a game at Comerica Park last July.
Zack Gelof, an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics, has filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings, and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority over an injury sustained during a game at Comerica Park last July.
Gelof was hurt in the third inning of a game on July 9 when he slid into a metal fence while attempting to catch a fly ball in foul territory.
The 26-year-old outfielder immediately grabbed his knee in pain, revealing a deep cut in his uniform where his leg had made contact with the fence.
The lawsuit alleges that Gelof's right knee 'violently struck an exposed dangerous metal fence on the side wall that protruded into or alongside the playing area.' It also claims the fence was 'rigid, sharp, and inadequately protected,' leaving Gelof with a deep cut just missing his tendon.
Gelof was unable to play for approximately 30 days while recovering from the injury.
The Tigers added protective padding to the fencing in that area shortly after the incident.
Gelof's attorney, Jon Marko, argues that basic protective padding could have prevented the injury.
The complaint includes comments from Tigers outfielder Riley Greene, who acknowledged the metal nature of the fence and its potential danger during a hard slide.
The Tigers responded with a statement saying, 'We are aware of the lawsuit and do not comment on pending litigation.
What's confirmed
- "We are aware of the lawsuit and do not comment on pending litigation," the Tigers said in a statement on Tuesday.
- DETROIT -- Athletics outfielder Zack Gelof has filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority for damages after his right knee slammed into a Comerica Park fence during a game last summer.
- Gelof was hurt in the third inning of a 4-1 loss to the Tigers on July 9 while making a sliding catch in foul territory and colliding with a metal fence.
- The 26-year-old infielder immediately grabbed his knee in obvious pain, a tear in his uniform pants showed where his leg made contact with the fence.
- The complaint alleges Gelof's right knee "violently struck an exposed dangerous metal fence on the side wall that protruded into or alongside the playing area." It also says the exposed area of the metal fence was "rigid, sharp, inadequately protected." Gelof was left with a deep cut under his right kneecap, just missing the tendon, and didn't play again until Aug.
What's still developing
- A’s outfielder Gelof sues Tigers for damages caused by metal fence | ESPN La Crosse 105.5 You are using an outdated browser.
- The A's finished the season 64-98, putting them ahead of only the Los Angeles and the Colorado Rockies in the majors.
- Gelof is asking for a judgment that would pay him for his losses along with interest and attorney fees.
- The collision tore deep into his knee and caused a large laceration, and he had to be removed from the game.