<<Track official struck in face with javelin awarded $811,000
By The Associated Press
(10/24/03 - WEST PALM BEACH, FL) — A track and field official who was hit in the face with a javelin during a college meet was awarded $811,000 in damages from the event's sponsor, a student-athlete and a university.
ABC13 National/World news
Ruben Thompson was struck next to his left eye by the spear-like javelin during a 1999 track meet in Palm Beach Gardens. He has had three surgeries to help correct damage to his tear duct, his attorney said.
A jury on Wednesday found the sponsor, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; the athlete, Scott Schwarz; and his school, Baker University, negligent for Thompson's injuries. The NAIA must pay 85 percent of the damages.
"I think the jury was fair," said Thompson, 69. "It was what I expected. I know my job, and I was doing it properly."
Defense attorneys had argued that the student was given the go-ahead to throw the javelin, and that Thompson bore some of the responsibility because he was the lead official for the event.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) >>
A "spear-like javelin"? There's another kind?
By The Associated Press
(10/24/03 - WEST PALM BEACH, FL) — A track and field official who was hit in the face with a javelin during a college meet was awarded $811,000 in damages from the event's sponsor, a student-athlete and a university.
ABC13 National/World news
Ruben Thompson was struck next to his left eye by the spear-like javelin during a 1999 track meet in Palm Beach Gardens. He has had three surgeries to help correct damage to his tear duct, his attorney said.
A jury on Wednesday found the sponsor, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; the athlete, Scott Schwarz; and his school, Baker University, negligent for Thompson's injuries. The NAIA must pay 85 percent of the damages.
"I think the jury was fair," said Thompson, 69. "It was what I expected. I know my job, and I was doing it properly."
Defense attorneys had argued that the student was given the go-ahead to throw the javelin, and that Thompson bore some of the responsibility because he was the lead official for the event.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) >>
A "spear-like javelin"? There's another kind?
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