A North Carolina mother has filed a lawsuit against Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball and the team after her 11-year-old son’s foot was allegedly run over by Ball’s car at a fan event last fall. Tamaira McRae and her son Angell Joseph were attending the Hornets fan event at the Spectrum Center in October when the incident occurred. Joseph had approached Ball for an autograph, but instead of signing anything, Ball reportedly accelerated his vehicle forward suddenly and ran over Joseph’s foot, breaking it. McRae described the difficult recovery process for both herself and her son, stating that it was a challenging experience.
Their attorney, Cameron DeBrun, explained that they were initially going to file a claim with Ball’s insurance, but the police report from the incident was missing important information, leading them to pursue a lawsuit. The lawsuit also named the Hornets as defendants, as the incident took place at their annual “Purple and Teal Day” event. The lawsuit alleges that Ball was negligent while operating his vehicle by not maintaining proper control and failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian, among other claims. The Hornets were accused of not providing adequate security and pedestrian control measures at the event, specifically at the employee exit in the Spectrum Center.
Ball, who appeared in only 22 games last season due to a lingering ankle injury, is set to enter the first year of a five-year, $204 million contract extension with the Hornets this fall. Despite his limited playing time, Ball averaged a career-high 23.9 points and eight assists per game. The lawsuit was filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court on Tuesday, detailing the allegations against Ball and the Hornets. McRae expressed the emotional toll that the incident had taken on her and her son, highlighting the challenges they faced during the recovery process.
The lawsuit and the allegations against Ball and the Hornets have raised questions about the safety and security measures at fan events and the responsibilities of professional athletes and organizations towards fans. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the case will be resolved and what impact it will have on future fan interactions and events involving athletes. The incident involving Ball and Joseph serves as a reminder of the potential risks and consequences that can arise in interactions between fans and athletes, and the importance of safety measures and proper conduct in such settings.
