Franklin Sports sued after defective badminton racket causes child's death

The family of 6-year-old Lucy Morgan has filed a wrongful death and product liability lawsuit against Franklin Sports following a fatal accident in Limerick, Maine. The incident occurred on June 1, 2024, while the family was on vacation.

According to Maine State Police, the accident happened when an aluminum badminton racket shaft separated from its wooden handle while being used. The shaft struck Lucy in the head, piercing her skull. She was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she passed away on June 5, 2024.

The lawsuit alleges that the badminton set, which was provided at the family’s rental cottage, was defective and unreasonably dangerous. Specifically, the complaint claims the handle and metal shaft were not adequately secured, the adhesive used was insufficient, and the design lacked necessary secondary restraints to prevent the metal portion from becoming a projectile during ordinary use.