Woman Sues Miami Marlins After ‘Shark’ Attack At Baseball Game, Claims $86,000 In Injuries

A woman is suing the Miami Marlins baseball team after she says she sustained significant injuries and an impaired ability to work following a “shark attack” at a a 2013 baseball game.

Beth Fedornak says that she was at a baseball game when a mascot from the Great Sea Race, Bob the Shark, proceeded to “bite” her on the head. Fedornak says she felt “immediate” pain in her neck after the mascot dressed as a giant blue shark hit her with his foam and rubber jaws on the top of the head. Beth claims she has sustained over $86,000 in medical expenses from the incident, and that the “shark attack” has impaired her ability to work.

The Miami Herald reports that Beth Fedornak was a guest at a Miami Marlins baseball game in June of 2013. She claims that she sustained significant injuries when one of the Marlins Great Sea Race mascots pretended to bite her on the head. According to the lawsuit, Fedornak was seated in the third row when a giant blue shark mascot approached her. Bob the Shark was attempting to get the crowd excited by pretending to bite Fedornak.

However, Fedornak says that when the shark mascot pretended to bite her head, she “immediately” felt pain in her neck. The lawsuit indicates that Fedornak reported her injury to park staff that day, but later needed medical treatment. The estimated medical expenses for the “shark bite” injury were $86,000. Fedornak’s lawyer claims that in addition to the medical expenses, the client also was unable to work.

Therefore, Fedornak is seeking financial compensation for medical expenses, lost time at work, future time lost from employment, and damages for pain and suffering. The lawsuit was filed against the Miami Marlins, as the lawyer says they were negligent in hiring and training their mascots.

The lawsuit notes that Fedornak suffered “painful and permanent” injuries that have required expensive medical treatment due to negligent behavior on the part of the Miami Marlins.

Though “land shark” attacks are very rare, a string of shallow water shark attacks have been reported on beaches in North Carolina.

What do you think of the lawsuit against the Miami Marlins? Can you believe that a foam and rubber shark mascot was able to “permanently” injury a member of the audience by pretending to bite her head? Do you think the judge will rule in favor of Beth Fedornak?

[Image Credit: AP via Fox23 News]