Ocean city, school district sued after bench tips over at carey stadium

A Camden man has filed a lawsuit against Ocean City and the Ocean City School District, claiming a defective bench at Carey Stadium tipped over and caused serious injuries.

The City of Ocean City and the Ocean City School District are facing a personal injury lawsuit after a visitor alleges he suffered permanent injuries when a bench at the Carey Stadium complex unexpectedly tipped over.

According to a complaint filed in Cape May County Superior Court, plaintiff Makin El of Camden was visiting Carey Stadium at 500 Boardwalk on Aug. 28, 2025, when the incident occurred. The lawsuit claims he was lawfully on the property as a business invitee or licensee when he was injured.

Lawsuit alleges defective bench caused fall

Court records state that El was injured because of what the complaint describes as a “dangerously and improperly installed and maintained bench” that tipped over. The lawsuit alleges the defective condition caused him to fall and sustain permanent injuries.

The complaint names both Ocean City and the Ocean City School District as defendants, alleging they owned, operated, controlled, or maintained the Carey Stadium complex.

According to the lawsuit, the dangerous condition either was known to the defendants, should have been known through reasonable inspection, or was created by the defendants themselves.

Plaintiff claims permanent injuries and financial losses

The lawsuit alleges the defendants had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition and failed to properly repair or correct it. The complaint contends that failure amounted to negligence and created a foreseeable risk to visitors using the facility.

El claims the fall resulted in severe and permanent injuries requiring medical treatment. The lawsuit further alleges he has incurred medical expenses, suffered pain and humiliation, and experienced a loss of earnings and earning capacity.

According to the complaint, additional medical expenses and damages may continue into the future as a result of the injuries allegedly sustained in the incident.

Jury trial requested

Filed by attorney Harry J. Kane Jr. of Weir LLP, the lawsuit seeks damages, interest, and court costs from the defendants. El has also requested a jury trial.

The allegations contained in the complaint are claims made by the plaintiff and have not been proven in court. Neither Ocean City nor the Ocean City School District had filed responses to the lawsuit at the time of the filing.

Key Points

• A lawsuit claims a bench at Carey Stadium in Ocean City tipped over and injured a visitor.
• Plaintiff Makin El alleges the bench was improperly installed and maintained.
• The suit seeks damages from both Ocean City and the Ocean City School District and includes a jury trial demand.

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