Man Can Seek Damages from Cleveland Indians, Ohio High Court Rules

Ohio’s high court says a New York man who was hit by a foul ball at a baseball game and blinded in one eye can seek damages from the Cleveland Indians.

Lawyers for Keith Rawlins of Rochester, New York say the team is liable for his injury. They say stadium personnel distracted Rawlins during the July 2012 game by forcing him to relocate for a post-game fireworks show.

The team says Rawlins voluntarily left.

A state appeals court reversed a lower court’s decision that cleared the Indians of Rawlins’ negligence claim based on a baseball rule that bars injury claims against teams.

Cleveland.com reported the state Supreme Court upheld that ruling on Wednesday.

Lawyers for the Indians didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.

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