Brooks Robinson Sues Seminole Tribe After Fall
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Lawyers for Orioles great Brooks Robinson say he's no longer the same person after a traumatic fall at a casino in Florida--and they're asking for almost $10 million in damages.
Mike Hellgren has more on the big sticking point in the case.
It hinges on the casino being owned by the Native American Seminole tribe. An agreement caps the amount Robinson can get, and it's less than his medical bills.
Orioles legend Brooks Robinson says he has traumatic brain injuries after falling six feet off a stage during a charity event. It happened in January 2012 at the Seminole Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Robinson's lawyers say there was no railing behind the stage and a large curtain at the back edge provided the illusion of support. They say another man fell just an hour before Robinson was rushed to the hospital.
WJZ obtained a 27-page document, where Robinson's legal team details his injuries, including bleeding on the brain and depression.
They want compensation for speaking engagements he can no longer attend, as well as for hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. They're asking for $9.9 million but there's a cap of $200,000 for individuals who are injured at the casino. That cap is part of an agreement between the Native American Seminole tribe--which runs the casino--and the state of Florida.
"My guess is the casino is in a stronger position. Maybe morally they should have to pay a lot more," said law professor Byron Warnken. "The stronger their position is, the more they're going to say, `Hey, sorry, we're not budging.'"
A spokesman for the casino told the Miami Herald the Seminole tribe wants guests to feel safe and protected and he was confident the sides could reach a settlement.
Robinson's lawyers say if they can't settle, they'll fight the validity of the cap in federal court.
"My guess is Robinson's lawyers are going to want more than the casino is willing to come up with," Warnken said.
WJZ did reach out to the casino for comment but representatives haven't gotten back to us.
Robinson is 76 years old.
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