Description
This news story, featured on CBS, highlights a personal injury case represented by attorney Lynn C. Harris. A seven year old Salt Lake city boy was struck in the head with a baseball bat at a baseball game, resulting in permanent brain damage. Lynn Harris successfully took this case to trial and won, resulting in the USSSA owing the boy and his family a compensation payment of six million dollars.
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Dalton: That's my nickname.
Interviewer: This was Dalton Nielson a little over three years ago, in a
hospital recovering from a brain injury.
Dalton's mother: it was very hard. We didn't know what was going to happen
the first couple of days. He had quite a few ups and downs.
Interviewer: The 7-year-old boy was hit in the head with a baseball bat by
a batter on deck during an adult softball tournament. He underwent
emergency brain surgery.
Dalton's father: I think that was what run through my wife and I's minds
is the very worst.
Interviewer: Doctors called Dalton's recovery miraculous, but an attorney
for the family said the boy has permanent brain damage.
Harris: Well, he has a walnut sized hole in his brain.
Interviewer: Harris says Dalton struggles in school and attends special
education classes . . .
Harris: He'll need assisted living when he's older. He won't work a
regular full-time job.
Interviewer: Dalton's family filed a lawsuit. During the trial, there
were arguments about whether or not the umpire invited Dalton onto the
field. And this week, a jury determined that United States Specialty
Sports Association owes Dalton more than $6 million.
Lawyer: All I can tell you is I was shocked at the size of the verdict.
Interviewer: The attorney for USSSA says it's not over yet.
Lawyer: There will be closed trial motions, and depending on what happens
with those motions, an appeal.
Interviewer: Harris says Dalton will use the money for things like
treatment, tutoring, and assisted living down the road.
Harris: We really appreciate the fact that a jury of nine people, took
five days, and listened to all of this.