ATLANTA — A fan filed suit last week in Cobb County alleging she received "significant and excruciating injuries" to her eye after Jorge Soler threw a ball into the stands during the 2021 World Series.
The fan, Mayra Norris, and her husband have sued both Soler and the Atlanta Braves, claiming the fan's injuries have harmed her quality of life and marital relationship. They're seeking unspecified compensation and damages "including, but not limited to, past and future medical expenses; and past, present and future pain and suffering."
11Alive reached out to the Braves and received the following response from a spokesperson:
We are aware of the recent lawsuit filed by Mr. and Mrs. Norris against the Atlanta Braves and Jorge Soler. Mrs. Norris' injury was not due to any negligence on the part of Jorge Soler, the Braves, or anyone affiliated with our organization. We intend to answer and deny the claims, and immediately move for the court to dismiss the case based on the legal precedent that has clearly and unwaveringly been set not only in Georgia, but across the country.
According to the complaint, the woman and her husband were at Game 3 of the World Series at Truist Park on Oct. 29, 2021, sitting in Section 109 in the right-field corner. It states that before the top of the fifth inning, Soler tossed a ball in the direction of the woman.
"Defendant Soler did not softly toss the ball into the stands to the crowd," the lawsuit alleges. "He threw the ball overhand, with a great deal of speed and force."
It says the ball hit the woman "directly in her right eye causing extensive and excruciating injury."
The injuries, according to the suit, included "multiple fractures, a right eye edema and infra-orbital abrasion." It asserts the injuries required "extensive medical treatment" as well as "long term medical care."
The suit accuses the Braves of negligence in "failing to keep the premises safe for visitors" and Soler of "recklessly, and without caution throwing the ball into the stands with excessive force and speed."
"Over the past two years, Ms. Norris has been forced to seek extensive medical treatment for her injuries. She is still under the care of a physician and will be for some time," said Susan B. Shaw with Susan B. Shaw Law LLC, who represents Norris.
In addition to the woman's injuries, the suit claims she and her husband "have had their marital relationship interfered with" with the husband suffering "a loss of companionship and affection with his wife."
The lawsuit mentions the couple is seeking relief to compensate for Norris' injuries and more.
"By filing of this lawsuit, Ms. Norris is merely looking for fair compensation for the devastating injuries she sustained that night and the medical treatment that she has been forced to receive and will have to continue to receive," the couple's attorney said.