The family of Lucy Morgan, a 6-year-old New Jersey girl, has filed a wrongful-death and product-liability lawsuit after she died from injuries caused by a badminton racket during a Maine vacation. The lawsuit alleges that a metal shaft separated from the racket’s wooden handle and pierced Lucy’s skull. The incident occurred on June 1, 2024, in Limerick, Maine, and Lucy died four days later at a Portland hospital. Franklin Sports, the Massachusetts-based manufacturer named in the case, has expressed sympathy while declining to comment on specific allegations because litigation is pending.
The family alleges that the racket failed during ordinary use because its handle and shaft were inadequately secured. The complaint also claims the product lacked a secondary restraint and sufficient warnings about the potential danger.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Fatal accident during a Maine vacation |
| 2) | Lawsuit alleges defective racket design |
| 3) | Family seeks damages under Maine law |
| 4) | Siblings and parents describe lasting grief |
| 5) | Manufacturer responds as litigation continues |
Fatal accident during a Maine vacation
Lucy Morgan was vacationing with her parents and three siblings at a rental cottage in Limerick, Maine, on June 1, 2024. According to Maine State Police, Lucy’s 10-year-old brother was playing badminton outside when the aluminum shaft became dislodged from the racket’s wooden handle.
The shaft struck Lucy in the head and pierced her skull. She was first taken to Southern Maine Health Care in Sanford and was later airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Police said she died on June 5, four days after the accident.
Lawsuit alleges defective racket design
The complaint alleges that the badminton set supplied at the rental cottage contained a racket whose handle and metal shaft were not adequately secured. The family claims the adhesive joining the parts was defective or insufficient, allowing the shaft to separate during normal play.
The lawsuit further alleges that the design lacked a secondary restraint, such as a pin or comparable safeguard, that could have stopped the metal shaft from becoming a projectile. The family also claims Franklin Sports failed to warn consumers about the risk. These allegations have not been resolved in court.
“This case represents a parent’s worst nightmare,” attorney Charles P. Hehmeyer, who represents the family, said. “The Morgan family was enjoying an idyllic summer vacation here in Maine when they lost Lucy due to what we allege was a dangerous and defective piece of sports equipment.”
Family seeks damages under Maine law
The wrongful-death and product-liability case seeks compensatory and punitive damages, but the complaint does not specify a dollar amount. The family is seeking funeral expenses, damages for emotional distress, and compensation for the loss of comfort, society and companionship.
The complaint also seeks other relief permitted under Maine law. The family’s legal claims focus on whether the racket was defective, whether the manufacturer should have used an additional safety feature, and whether consumers received adequate warnings before using the product.
Siblings and parents describe lasting grief
The complaint alleges that Lucy’s three siblings witnessed the accident and experienced severe emotional distress. It also states that her parents heard her screaming and ran outside to help her after the shaft struck her.
Jesse Morgan, Lucy’s father and a pastor in Rockaway, New Jersey, previously described the family’s final full day at the lake cottage, when the children decided to play badminton in the front yard. After Lucy’s death, he said the family found comfort in a prayer journal that had been returned inside her backpack. He said it contained drawings, Bible-themed notes and messages reflecting her faith.
“She had the faith of a mustard seed,” Jesse Morgan said while describing his daughter’s beliefs and the family’s grieving process.
Manufacturer responds as litigation continues
Franklin Sports said it extends its deepest sympathies to Lucy’s family and everyone affected by the accident. The company said it could not address the lawsuit’s specific allegations while the case is pending.
The manufacturer also said it takes product-safety concerns seriously, remains committed to product quality and safety, and is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident. The family’s attorney has also alleged that the company knew of an earlier case in which a child in New York lost an eye after a racket separated, but that claim remains part of the legal allegations and has not been established by a court.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lucy Morgan was injured in Limerick, Maine, on June 1, 2024. |
| 2 | Police said a metal racket shaft struck and pierced her skull. |
| 3 | The lawsuit alleges defective construction, inadequate safety features and insufficient warnings. |
| 4 | Lucy died at Maine Medical Center on June 5, 2024. |
| 5 | Franklin Sports has expressed sympathy and said it is reviewing the incident. |
Summary
The lawsuit places responsibility for Lucy Morgan’s death on alleged defects in a badminton racket that separated during play at a Maine rental property. It seeks damages for the family’s financial and emotional losses, while Franklin Sports disputes neither the tragedy nor the existence of the litigation but has not addressed the allegations in detail. The court will determine whether the product was defective and whether the company is legally responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Lucy Morgan?
Police said a metal shaft separated from a badminton racket’s wooden handle and struck Lucy in the head during a family vacation in Limerick, Maine, on June 1, 2024. She died from her injuries on June 5.
What does the family’s lawsuit allege?
The lawsuit alleges that the racket was defectively designed and manufactured, that its parts were inadequately secured, that it lacked a secondary restraint, and that consumers were not properly warned.
What has Franklin Sports said?
Franklin Sports has expressed its deepest sympathies and said it cannot comment on the specific allegations because litigation is pending. The company said it takes safety concerns seriously and is reviewing the incident.
