The family of 6-year-old Lucy Morgan, who died after a badminton racket’s metal shaft dislodged and pierced her skull during a family vacation in Maine, has filed a wrongful death and product-liability lawsuit against Franklin Sports, the Massachusetts-based manufacturer. The lawsuit, representing the Morgan family, alleges that the badminton racket was defective and unreasonably dangerous, with the handle and metal shaft inadequately secured, and lacking a secondary restraint to prevent the metal portion from becoming a projectile. The incident occurred on June 1, 2024, when Lucy’s 10-year-old brother was playing outside, and the aluminum shaft became dislodged, striking Lucy in the head. She was subsequently airlifted to Maine Medical Center, where she died on June 5, 2024.

Attorney Charles P. Hehmeyer, representing the family, stated that the case exemplifies a parent’s worst nightmare, emphasizing the tragic loss of Lucy during what was meant to be an idyllic summer vacation. The complaint further alleges that Franklin Sports failed to warn consumers about the potential risks associated with the product. Hehmeyer also mentioned a prior incident in New York where a child lost an eye due to a similar racket failure, suggesting that Franklin Sports was aware of the defect but did not implement a simple corrective measure, such as adding a pin to the handle. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, covering funeral expenses, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and other relief permitted under Maine law, with the family’s three other children also reported to have suffered severe emotional distress from witnessing the incident. Franklin Sports has expressed condolences to the family and stated that it is reviewing the circumstances while declining to comment further due to the pending litigation. Source

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