A North Carolina mother has filed a lawsuit against Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball and the team alleging that he ran over her 11-year-old son’s foot with his car at a fan event last fall. Tamaira McRae was with her son, Angell Joseph, at a Hornets fan event at the Spectrum Center in October, where Joseph asked Ball for his autograph. However, instead of signing anything, Ball allegedly accelerated his vehicle forward suddenly and ran over Joseph’s foot, causing it to break. McRae described the difficult recovery process for both her and her son, highlighting the emotional toll it took on them.
Their attorney, Cameron DeBrun, explained that they would have filed a claim with Ball’s insurance, but the police report from the incident was missing key information, leading them to pursue legal action. The lawsuit also includes the Hornets as defendants, as the incident occurred at their annual “Purple and Teal Day” event. The lawsuit alleges that Ball was negligent by not maintaining control of his vehicle, failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian, and not applying his brakes in time to avoid the incident. It also accuses the Hornets of not providing adequate security and pedestrian control measures at the event.
Despite the legal action, LaMelo Ball had a successful season with the Hornets, averaging a career-high 23.9 points and eight assists per game in the 22 games he played. However, he was limited by a lingering ankle injury that kept him out of more games. Ball is set to enter the first year of a five-year, $204 million contract extension with the team this fall. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, seeking damages for the harm caused by the incident.
The lawsuit has brought attention to the incident that occurred at the Hornets fan event and has sparked discussions about player-fan interactions and safety measures at such events. This case highlights the potential risks involved in fans approaching athletes in public settings and the responsibility of players and organizations to ensure the safety of fans. The emotional impact on the mother and her son serves as a reminder of the importance of taking such incidents seriously and addressing any negligence that may have contributed to the harm caused.
As the legal process unfolds, both sides will have the opportunity to present their arguments and evidence in court. The outcome of the lawsuit will ultimately depend on the interpretation of the facts and the application of relevant laws. In the meantime, the case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of careless actions and the importance of promoting safety and respect in all interactions, especially in high-profile settings involving professional athletes and fans.
