Steven Domalewski Will Receive $14.5 Million to Settle a Lawsuit

A New Jersey teenager left brain-damaged when struck by a line drive off of a metal bat during youth baseball will receive $14.5 million to settle their lawsuit against its maker, sporting goods chain and Little League. Their family alleges metal bats are dangerous for children’s games as the ball deflects off them much quicker than wooden ones do.

Early Life and Education

Steven Domalewski was an energetic child, pitching on his local Little League team and practicing martial arts. Additionally, he loved climbing trees around his neighborhood while zooming down streets on inline skates.

On June 6, 2006, while pitching in an evening game at Wayne Police Athletic League field under overcast skies, he was hit by a batter with a line drive off a metal bat that struck at exactly between his heartbeats, cutting off oxygen supply to his brain.

Doctors initially feared Steven’s injury would be permanent; however, within weeks he began showing signs of recovery; his gag reflex returned, and he began flexing his biceps again. Painters had just finished painting his basement rec room, so they left an unfilled hole unfixed for now.

Professional Career

Steven Domalewski was pitching in a Police Athletic League game in 2006 when one of the batters launched a line drive off a metal bat into his chest, striking just above his heart and sending him into cardiac arrest, depriving his brain of oxygen for up to 20 minutes. Consequently, cardiac arrest ensued, which left his brain oxygen starved for 15-20 minutes – eventually leading to brain death and cardiac arrest.

He eventually awoke, but is unable to walk or speak and requires assistance for everyday activities for the remainder of his life. All that he can say is “yeah”, with some occasional mentions of his father’s name.

Thank goodness the family had legal representation; they won a settlement of $14.5 million from Little League Baseball, the manufacturer of Domalewski’s bat and a sports goods retailer – funds which will ensure he will remain provided for throughout his lifetime.

Achievement and Honors

He was chosen for participation in the Sundance Directors and Screenwriters Lab, Berlinale Talents and EAVE Producers Workshop. Additionally, his short films have played at Tribeca International Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival and San Francisco International Film Festivals.

Steven was pitching in a youth baseball game when one of the batters struck a line drive with an aluminum Louisville Slugger bat that struck Steven in the chest, sending him into cardiac arrest. For 15 to 20 minutes after this occurred he stopped breathing completely before coming to.

Steven was exposed to oxygen deprivation and has not fully recovered. Now needing 24-hour care and partially blind, Steven requires 24-hour supervision from family and is restricted to using a wheelchair. However, his parents remain hopeful he’ll improve but cannot go back to being himself again.

Personal Life

Less than two years ago, Steven Domalewski was an active, healthy star pitcher on a youth baseball team coached by his father. He enjoyed martial arts training, climbing every tree in his neighborhood and speed skating down his neighborhood street on inline skates – even shooting an arrow into the wall of his basement rec room!

On June 6, 2006, during a game, Domalewski was struck in the head with a line drive batted by another batter – at 12 years old at that time.

His family filed suit against a bat manufacturer and sporting goods store, and on Wednesday they reached an agreement for a large settlement sum that will help Steven recover as best it can – with hopes he will one day become the boy they knew before his injury occurred – although that’s always a tough goal to attain for anyone living with brain trauma.

Net Worth

Not long ago, Steven Domalewski was an outfielder on his youth baseball team and an active kid who loved martial arts, climbing every tree in the neighborhood and skating down his street on inline skates – even once shooting an arrow through the wall of his basement rec room! But over the last two years things had drastically changed for Steven – including injuries sustained in car accidents that put his life in jeopardy.

In June 2006, however, an opponent hit a line drive off of an aluminum bat Steven was using to pitch. It landed squarely into his chest at exactly one heartbeat interval; depriving his brain of oxygen for 15-20 minutes until emergency responders could resuscitate him.

Ernest Fronzuto, Steven’s family lawyer, estimates he will need millions worth of medical care over his lifetime and has reached an agreement with Little League, Hillerich and Bradsby and a sporting goods chain for this settlement.