Six-year-old boy Bryson Galaz suffered brain damage and a fractured skull when he was accidentally hit by a baseball thrown by a player of the Los Angeles Angels who was warming up before a Major League Baseball game in 2019, according to a lawsuit announced on Thursday, April 7, that blames the kid's injury on the negligence of the team.
Yahoo! reported that the lawsuit was filed by the boy's mother, Beatrice Galaz. She said the Angels should have more netting along the side of the field, and their players should not throw balls during warmups in places where spectators could be hit, especially when the team is encouraging spectators to arrive early to try to meet their favorite players.
On September 15, 2019, Beatrice's son, Bryson, was walking alongside his father in the first row of the stadium seats toward the dugout. According to the lawsuit, that is the area where the players meet fans and sign autographs more than an hour and a half before the start of the game.
Bryson Galaz struck on the side of the head after pitcher's throw was missed
Unfortunately for Bryson, he was struck on the side of the head after pitcher Keynan Middleton threw a wayward ball. Sky News reported that Middleton was warming up on the field when he hurled a ball toward another Angels player, who went on to miss the catch.
Kyle Scott, the family's lawyer, said that Bryson was rushed to the emergency room in critical condition and was later sent to a children's hospital for monitoring for 2 1/2 days. According to Scott, Bryson has done fine academically since the mishap but has difficulties with social interaction and paying attention.
Scott said medical exams had shown abnormal brain activity, which raises concerns about Bryson's longer-term development, especially as his school subjects become more complex. He is currently in third grade.
Galaz, an Anaheim native, issued a statement released on Thursday, saying, "We're grateful that he pulled through, but since that day he has struggled in school. He's simply not the same."
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Los Angeles Angels decline to comment about Galaz's lawsuit
The Angels declined to comment regarding the litigation. Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey did issue a statement to NBC News about the matter, saying, "No parties have reached out to us regarding this lawsuit." Garvey added that they have only been made aware of this by the media, so they cannot comment at this time.
Galaz and her lawyers timed the announcement of the lawsuit perfectly. The case, filed on April 1, was announced on the opening day of the 2022 Major League Baseball season. Galaz and her attorneys held a news conference near Angel Stadium, where the Los Angeles Angels were set to face the Houston Astros.
Getting a baseball at an MLB contest is a signature event for any spectator, but it can come with a huge price, as Bryson Galaz found out.
