Girl Killed in Freak Badminton Accident: Family Sues Franklin Sports
Family Sues Badminton Racket Maker After 6-Year-Old Girl Dies in Freak Accident
What Happened?
In June 2024, a family vacation in Maine turned into a tragedy that no parent should ever experience. Lucy Morgan, a 6-year-old girl from New Jersey, was playing badminton with her 10-year-old brother at a rental cottage in Limerick, Maine.
During what should have been a fun, ordinary game, the aluminum shaft of the badminton racket suddenly separated from its wooden handle. The metal shaft flew off like a projectile and struck Lucy in the head, piercing her skull.
Important Point: This wasn’t a case of rough play or misuse. The family’s lawyers say the racket came apart during normal, ordinary use.
Lucy was flown by helicopter to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, she passed away four days later.
Who Was Lucy?
- Age: 6 years old
- From: Rockaway, New Jersey
- Family: Daughter of Jesse Morgan (a pastor at Green Pond Bible Chapel), with three siblings
- The moment: She was on a summer vacation with her family, playing with her brother
The Lawsuit: What the Family Is Doing
On Monday, Lucy’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Franklin Sports — the company that manufactured the badminton racket. The case was filed in York County Court, Maine, with help from the law firm Berman & Simmons.
What the Lawsuit Claims
The complaint makes several serious allegations:
- Defective Design — The handle and metal shaft were not properly secured together
- Bad Glue — The adhesive holding the two parts together was defective
- Missing Safety Feature — The racket lacked a secondary restraint (like a pin or screw) that would stop the metal shaft from becoming a dangerous projectile if the glue failed
- Failure to Warn — Franklin Sports didn’t warn consumers that the metal stem could separate during normal use
Key Quote from the Family’s Attorney, Charles P. Hehmeyer:
"This case represents a parent’s worst nightmare. 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. We are committed to obtaining justice for Lucy by holding Franklin Sports accountable. We want to ensure these rackets are manufactured in a way where this type of tragedy never occurs again."
This Has Happened Before
Here’s something especially troubling: This wasn’t the first time.
According to Attorney Hehmeyer, there was a previous case in New York where a child lost an eye when a Franklin Sports racket came apart the same way.
Important Point: The attorney says the company knew about this danger but chose not to fix it — even though adding a simple safety pin in the handle would cost only pennies.
The Impact on the Family
The lawsuit describes the devastating toll on Lucy’s family:
- Three siblings witnessed their sister get hurt
- Parents heard her screaming and ran to help
- The family is seeking damages for:
- Funeral expenses
- Financial losses (pecuniary loss)
- Emotional distress
- Loss of comfort, society, and companionship
- Other available damages
What Happens Next?
As of now, Franklin Sports has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The news station (Maine’s Total Coverage) says they’re working to get a comment from the company.
The case will now move through the court system in York County, where a judge and potentially a jury will hear the evidence.
Summary
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Lucy Morgan, age 6 |
| Date of Accident | June 2024 |
| Location | Limerick, Maine (rental cottage on North Shore Drive) |
| What Went Wrong | Aluminum racket shaft separated from wooden handle, struck girl in head |
| Manufacturer | Franklin Sports |
| Lawsuit Filed | York County Court, Maine |
| Main Allegations | Defective design, bad adhesive, missing safety pin, failure to warn |
| Prior Incident | Similar racket failure in NY caused child to lose an eye |
| Simple Fix | A safety pin costing pennies could have prevented it |
FAQ
What is a "wrongful death lawsuit"?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal case filed by family members when someone dies because of another party’s negligence or a defective product. It seeks compensation for the losses the family has suffered.
Why is the rental cottage mentioned?
The lawsuit notes that the badminton set came with the rental cottage — meaning the family didn’t buy it themselves. This matters because it shows the equipment was provided for guest use, and the manufacturer should expect it to be used by families and children.
What is a "secondary restraint" on a racket?
Think of it like a backup safety system. If the glue holding the handle and shaft together fails, a secondary restraint (like a metal pin, screw, or clip) would keep the two pieces connected so the metal shaft can’t fly off and hurt someone.
Has Franklin Sports recalled these rackets?
As of this article’s publication, there is no mention of a recall. The family’s attorney is pushing for the company to change how they manufacture rackets so this never happens again.
How long will this lawsuit take?
Lawsuits like this can take months or even years to resolve. They involve gathering evidence, expert testimony, negotiations, and possibly a trial. Many cases settle before going to trial.
Final Thought: This tragedy highlights why product safety matters — especially for items used by children. A simple, inexpensive design change could have saved a little girl’s life. The Morgan family hopes their lawsuit will force that change so no other family suffers this loss.