Astros Fan Injured By T-Shirt Cannon Sues Team For $1M

HOUSTON — A woman who claims she was injured when the Houston Astros team mascot, Orbit, fired a T-shirt at her at close range with a T-shirt cannon, is suing the team for more than $1 million.

Jennifer Harughty claims the T-shirt hit her left hand and broke her left index finger. The incident happened on July 8, 2018 at Minute Maid Park during a game between the Astros and the Chicago White Sox.

Harughty, who was at the game with her family, went to the emergency room after the game and learned she had a severe fracture that required surgery.

Harughty had the first surgery four days after the incident, followed by a second surgery in October and physical therapy.

According to the lawsuit, Harughty hasn’t fully regained the full range of motion from the injury, and probably never will.

The family hoped the Astros would help with medical expenses, which have topped $15,000, but according to her attorney, the team didn’t respond.

"We filed it because we couldn't get the Astros to do anything," her attorney Jason Gibson told KPRC. "We gave them every opportunity. All she wanted was her medical bills paid for."

Harughty is seeking damages for physical pain, Harughty also wants to be compensated for medical expenses, mental anguish, lost opportunity, lost enjoyment of life and lost earnings.

Meanwhile, the Astros released this statement regarding the lawsuit:

The Astros are aware of the lawsuit with allegations regarding Orbit's t-shirt launcher. We do not agree with the allegations. The Astros will continue to use fan popular t-shirt launchers during games.

As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment on this matter.

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