The Sacramento Kings and swingman Francisco Garcia have settled their product liability lawsuits against the manufacturer of an exercise ball that exploded and severely injured him.
Prominent Sacramento personal injury lawyer Roger Dreyer, who represented the Kings and Garcia in their federal court suits, said the amount of money paid by Ledraplastic S.p.a., an Italian firm, to his clients is confidential, but described the resolution as "extremely favorable" to them.
On Oct. 9, 2009, Garcia was balancing on the ball and lifting weights at the same time when the ball burst and he "fell forcibly to the ground with the weights in each hand," according to Garcia's suit. It says he suffered serious injuries, including a fractured right forearm.
The Kings alleged a breach of the manufacturer's warranty and sought recovery of Garcia's salary which, under the terms of his contract, the team paid throughout the time he was unable to play. He missed four months during the first year of a five-year contract extension worth $29.6 million. Garcia sought compensation for physical and mental pain and suffering and a loss of future earning capacity.
"We are very pleased with the outcome and look forward to a stringent policy informing consumers of the potential danger of utilizing weights when working out with the Gymnic fit ball," Dreyer said this morning.
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