Lawsuit Filed By Family of Boy Killed by Unsecured Soccer Goal

Charlottesville, Va. (March 17, 2008) A lawsuit was filed today in the Circuit Court of Prince William County, Virginia on behalf of the Estate of Hayden Ellias, the 10 year-old boy who died when an unsecured soccer goal fell over and killed him. The estate is represented by attorneys Shawn S. Kasserman of Corboy & Demetrio, Chicago, Illinois and J. Gregory Webb and Paul R. Thomson, III of Michie Hamlett Lowry Rasmussen & Tweel, Charlottesville, Virginia.

On May 7, 2007, Hayden Ellias attended soccer practice for the Winchester United Under 10 boys soccer team at Millbrook High School in Frederick County, Virginia. The field where the practice took place had two moveable soccer goals at opposite ends of the field. During a scrimmage with the Winchester United Under 11 girls team, Hayden, who was the goalie, was struck on the head and neck when the portable soccer goal tipped over, killing him. He is survived by his parents, Gregory and Mary Ellias, his 12 year-old brother, Colin Ellias, and his 9 year-old sister, Alanna Ellias.

The lawsuit was filed against Porter Athletic Equipment Company, manufacturers of the goal, Howard Shockey & Sons, installers of the goal, Phil Pappas, architect, OWPR, Inc., an architectural firm, and five soccer associations, the Blue Ridge Youth Soccer Association, Inc., Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., Old Dominion Soccer League, Inc., United States Youth Soccer Association, Inc., and United States Soccer Federation, Inc.

The complaint alleges that each defendant knew or should have known of the dangers and hazards of moveable soccer goals and failed to protect soccer players from those dangers. Prior to Hayden's death, there were 84 other similar incidents where moveable soccer goals injured or killed children. The complaint seeks Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) in compensatory damages.

According to Attorney Kasserman: This problem is known throughout the soccer industry and there are far too many cases like it each year. It is Hayden's parents' hope that this lawsuit will help change the way the soccer industry designs, installs, uses and inspects moveable soccer goals and finally give our children's safety the priority it deserves.

Attorney Webb added: This a tragic example of the danger facing hundreds of thousands of our children who play organized soccer each year throughout the United States. The goal that crushed Hayden is extremely top heavy and is easily tipped forward. The only feature designed to keep the goal from tipping forward are ground anchors, which all too often are not attached to the goals and not re-installed after the goals are moved.

About Corboy & Demetrio

Corboy & Demetrio is one of the nation's premier law firms. It represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases and is renowned for its achievements in the courtroom and for its contributions to the community. The rights and concerns of its clients are at the core of Corboy & Demetrio's practice. That commitment, dedication, compassion and relentless drive has resulted in exceptional service and exceptional results for its clients. The firm has acquired more than $3 billion in settlements and verdicts and has attained more than 500 settlements and verdicts each in excess of $1 million or more.

About Michie Hamlett Lowry Rasmussen & Tweel

Michie, Hamlett, Lowry, Rasmussen & Tweel, PLLC is a full service law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services and value to our clients. Since our formation in 1946, we have grown and developed the capability of handling complex matters over a wide geographic area, and yet preserved our emphasis on serving the legal needs of central Virginia. As part of our commitment to serving that community, we donate a significant amount of time to pro bono activities that help make our system of justice accessible to all.