Fisherman sues yacht club after falling from golf cart

GALVESTON � Alleging he fell off an overcrowded golf cart and hit his head at the Galveston Yacht Club, a Houston man is suing the upscale boat basin in Galveston County District Court.

In a personal injury lawsuit filed July 2, Kenneth Morgan says on May 30 he was riding said cart from the parking lot to the water's edge when the vehicle made a move that caused the plaintiff to lose his balance.

Morgan was at the yacht club to launch his boat and go fishing.

Upon launching his boat, the plaintiff went back to his vehicle to get his life jacket and hat.

He subsequently hitched a ride on a passing golf cart, which is a courtesy service provided by the defendant.

Court papers show the cart was beyond capacity, but Morgan was able to embark.

"The golf cart was full at the time the driver, an employee of the defendant's, stopped to pick up Kenneth Morgan," the original petition says. "Even though the cart was full, the driver invited Mr. Morgan to ride standing on the side of the cart."

The cart traveled toward the dock.

Just as it turned to the left, Morgan slipped and found himself on the pavement, the suit says.

"Kenneth Morgan tried to maintain his balance, but was unable to and fell, landing on his head," it states. "He sustained skull fractures and brain injuries as a result of the fall."

The plaintiff was transported to Memorial Hermann in Houston where he underwent emergency and fell into a coma.

Morgan claims he suffered physical pain and impairment, mental anguish, and a loss of earning capacity because of the alleged accident therefore seeks restitution from the yacht club.

Houston attorneys Richard Schechter and J. Michael Solar are representing the plaintiff.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor.

Case No. 09CV1126