Youth pastor who broke neck seeks more than $2M in damages in suit alleging faulty 'Bubble Ball' [View all]

During a church camp in eastern Oregon, a youth pastor broke his neck during a game of “Bubble Ball” and is now suing Walmart for more than $3 million, alleging the harness that strapped him inside the large inflatable ball broke and he was flung head-first into another player’s ball.

The federal suit filed by Joshua Ashley of Milton-Freewater and his wife alleges that Bubble Ball was in “an unreasonably dangerous and defective condition” and that Walmart Inc. failed to inspect it for any defects or warn users of potential dangers.

Ashley, 32, was immobilized and bedridden for nearly a year but has regained his movement as the neck fracture didn’t sever his nerves, said his lawyer Ron K. Cheng. He also sustained a concussion and continues to suffer from memory loss, Cheng said.

Joshua Ashley seeks $2 million in noneconomic damages and $250,000 in economic damages for his June 27, 2017, injury. His wife, Katie Ashley, is seeking another $1 million in non-economic damages for her distress and loss of care, comfort and companionship.

Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2019/07/youth-pastor-who-broke-neck-seeks-more-than-2-million-in-damages-in-suit-alleging-faulty-bubble-ball.html