Phillie Phanatic Sued Over Alleged Avalon Hotel Incident

A Pennsylvania woman is suing the Phillie Phanatic, claiming the portly mascot permanently injured her at a southern New Jersey hotel two years ago.

The Press of Atlantic City newspaper says 37-year-old Suzanne Peirce is seeking undisclosed damages in a lawsuit filed Monday in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas.

Peirce’s lawsuit claims the Philadelphia Phillies mascot threw her into the pool at a hotel in Avalon, on the Jersey Shore. It says the Abington, Pa., woman hit the bottom of the pool’s shallow end, causing “severe and permanent injuries” that have worsened.

Phillies spokeswoman Bonnie Clark declined to comment to the newspaper, citing the pending litigation.

It’s unclear who was wearing the bulky green Phanatic suit at the time.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)