Gelof Sues Tigers Over Knee Injury From Fence Collision
Athletics outfielder Zack Gelof has filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority, seeking damages after his right knee struck a metal fence at Comerica Park last summer. The Tigers confirmed the litigation in a statement Tuesday but declined to discuss specifics. "We are aware of the lawsuit and do not comment on pending litigation," the team said.
Gelof was injured in the third inning of a 4-1 loss to the Tigers on July 9 while attempting a sliding catch in foul territory and colliding with the fence. He immediately grabbed his knee, and a tear in his uniform pants marked where his leg hit the metal. The impact left him with a deep cut just beneath his right kneecap, narrowly missing the tendon, and sidelined him until Aug. 10. online biathlon odds
Gelof's attorney, Jon Marko, argued the injury was avoidable. "This injury could have easily been prevented through the most basic and inexpensive design," Marko said. "It doesn't take a stadium design expert to realize that sharp metal fencing in an area where players are required to slide and play around is a recipe for disaster like the one that occurred here." Marko added that the Tigers installed padding at the site after Gelof's injury, which he said underscores how easily the incident could have been prevented.
Gelof, in his fourth major league season, hit .256 with 22 home runs and 55 RBIs - both career highs - across 111 games. The Athletics finished with one of the worst records in baseball, ahead of only the Los Angeles and Colorado Rockies. The lawsuit is pending, and neither the Tigers nor the stadium authority has indicated how they intend to respond beyond their initial statement.
