A University of California Davis beach volleyball player has filed a negligence lawsuit against the University of Oregon.
According to the Daily Emerald, UC Davis freshman Jane Seslar was hit in the face with a heavy shade umbrella which blew over during a windy mid-April volleyball game.
The complaint alleges that coaches on both sides were aware that the umbrellas were heavy and can become unsecured and blow away. As a precaution the umbrellas were taken down. However, UO assistant coach Janice Harrer put one of the umbrellas back up. It would later blow away and hit Selsar in the face, causing a laceration on her chin that reached the bone.
“Major facial scars on a pretty young woman deserve to be taken seriously,” Greg Kafoury, Selsar’s attorney, said in an interview with the Emerald. “Disfigurement is the term.”
Seslar is seeking $850,000 in damages. UO has until July 13 to respond to the complaint or the case will automatically be found in favor of Seslar, according to court documents.
“We were very sad to hear about the UC Davis student's injury, and we hope she is doing well,” UO spokesperson Molly Blancett said in an emailed statement. “Student safety is one of the university’s highest priorities. We disagree with allegations in the complaint about what led to the injuries but are unable to provide additional information at this time due to the pending litigation.”
The complaint states that the damages are to cover medical costs, as well as “disfigurement, pain, fear, anxiety, symptoms of posttraumatic stress, feelings of increased vulnerability, and interference with ordinary activities.”
“She went through a long period of being extremely afraid that the wound would open up ‘cause it was so deep and so long,” Kafoury said.
