Many are familiar with the sad story of a San Francisco Giants fan being almost beaten to death in a Dodger Stadium parking lot on Opening Day last season. The beating left the 42-year-old victim in a coma for months, and it has been estimated that the medical care for his brain injuries and other long-term effects of the incident will cost about $50 million.

The man and his two minor children have filed a suit against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a California court, arguing that negligence and poor security at the stadium were factors in the beating.

The man was attacked by two assailants as he waited for a taxi in a reportedly ill-lit parking lot. He was beaten in the head, and after he fell to the ground he was kicked in the head. Security reportedly did not respond to the incident for 10 minutes. Two people have since been arrested in connection to the attack. They have been charged with assault and mayhem and are awaiting trial.

Last week the Dodgers, who are currently in bankruptcy proceedings, asked a federal bankruptcy judge to reject the family's legal claims.

Team owner Frank McCourt and attorneys for the team have countered that the baseball club's corporate structure is not liable for the attack. They argue that the plaintiff cannot prove that lapses in security contributed to the beating.

The suit suggests, rather, that McCourt's mismanagement of the team and expensive and highly-publicized divorce led the team to cut back its security.

In addition to insufficient security, the lawsuit alleges that half-price beer sold at the stadium on Opening Day fostered the rowdy behavior of the Dodgers' fans.

The lawsuit itself has been commended by legal professionals for its spotlight on corporations that put profit over safety.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers ask judge to reject claims for damages filed by Stow," Carol J. Williams, Feb. 4, 2012