FILE PHOTO
(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)
October 19, 2023 - 7:00 AM
A Kelowna pickleball player is suing after she says her own partner accidentally hit her in her face while swinging for the ball — hard enough to break his paddle and give her a concussion.
Desiree Harris was playing a doubles match at Parkinson Recreation Centre on April 25 and was paired up with another player, who she identified as Mario Lopez, according to a notice of claim filed in BC Supreme Court.
She said he came up behind her and swung as the ball was lobbed to their side and she was preparing to strike, Harris said.
"Lopez missed the ball and struck the plaintiff in the face with such force his paddle broke, knocking the plaintiff to the ground," her claim reads.
Harris said she suffered a black eye, a concussion, abrasions to her nose and a bruised forehead.
"All of which injuries have caused and continue to cause pain, suffering, discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability and loss of earnings," according to her claim.
Harris is seeking costs for damages against Lopez, the City of Kelowna, Pickleball Canada and Pickleball BC.
She said the pickleball league ought to have known Lopez "continuously and negligently" played recklessly.
While she said Lopez was a reckless player, the pickleball associations and the City also owed her a duty of care, according to her claim.
None of her claims have been proven in court and none of the three defendants have responded.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
News from © iNFOnews, 2023