00:00Lawsuit Against Braves Reignited by Georgia Appeals Court
00:03A high-stakes lawsuit involving the Atlanta Braves and their former World Series MVP is back on the table,
00:10and it could shake up how legal protections for professional sports teams are interpreted going forward.
00:16The Georgia Court of Appeals has reversed a 2023 decision that dismissed a lawsuit filed against the Braves and outfielder Jorge Soler.
00:23At the center of the controversy is a World Series baseball allegedly hurled into the stands by Soler after a play.
00:29A moment now under a legal microscope.
00:32Mara Norris and her husband Scott filed the suit after she was struck in the eye by the ball during Game 3 of the 2021 World Series between the Braves and Astros.
00:42Soler allegedly threw the ball overhand with a lot of speed and force into the crowd, causing significant trauma to Mara's right eye, which needed medical care.
00:51Importantly, the lawsuit claims the throw occurred when the ball was not in play, a detail that could challenge the Braves' defense under Georgia's baseball rule.
00:58Which typically shields teams when fans are injured during gameplay.
01:03Cobb County Superior Court Judge Angela Brown originally sided with the Braves, dismissing the case in December 2023.
01:10But on September 12, 2025, the state appeals court reversed that decision.
01:16A dramatic legal twist that could have implications beyond Atlanta.
01:19This ruling by the Georgia Court of Appeals is a sign that the details of each case matter, said Atlanta-based attorney Matt Stoddard.
01:27The baseball rule does not automatically provide immunity from injuries at the stadium.
01:33The lawsuit accuses the Braves of failing to maintain a safe stadium and alleges insufficient measures to prevent reckless player behavior.
01:40Specifically, the team neglected to maintain a safe environment and prevent known reckless conditions.
01:47It seeks both general and compensatory damages to be determined during trial.
01:51With the case now likely headed back to Cobb Superior Court, the spotlight once again falls on Jorge Soler,
01:58a hero of the Braves' championship run who left the team shortly after the 2021 victory.
02:03Currently on the Los Angeles Angels 60-day injured list, the ruling could redefine team liability in fan injury incidents.
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