NFL and Patriots Sued for Minimum $10 Million over Fatal Incident from 2010

The New England Patriots are under fire for an incident that resulted in the death of a fan at a 2010 home game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., and it could cost them $10 million or more, according to Buffy Spencer of The Republican.

According to Spencer, Kimberly Chartier of Chicopee, Mass., is suing the Patriots, the NFL and three other parties for the wrongful death of her husband, Jeffrey Chartier, at the Pats' Sept. 12, 2010 home opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chartier, who was 40 years of age at the time of his death, died of a heart attack following an alleged verbal altercation with a Gillette Stadium security guard.

The security guard in question is Arthur Sherman, who allegedly confronted Chartier about the presence of his son, Tedy, on the field prior to the game.

According to the lawsuit, NFL officials approached Chartier and his then-six-year-old son prior to the game and asked if Tedy would be interested in coming on the field. Tedy was allowed to have his photo taken as well as run around on the field, but Sherman allegedly confronted his father, saying Tedy didn't have the credentials needed to be on the field.

After a 15-minute argument, Sherman allegedly confronted Chartier once again. This resulted in Chartier returning to his seat before he ultimately suffered a heart attack triggered by what the suit calls an "angered and extremely agitated" state. The heart attack led directly to Chartier's eventual death.

The suit alleges that Chartier's death was a direct result of the conduct displayed by Sherman:

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Jeff Chartier died as a result of cardiac arrest that was precipitated by agitation and stress caused by an interaction with a security guard at Gillette Stadium who inappropriately and unnecessarily confronted Jeff Chartier and his son Tedy in a harsh, unprofessional, confrontational, disrespectful and antagonistic manner.

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Also, the suit asks for "fair monetary value" regarding what Chartier meant to his family. According to the lawsuit, that includes compensation for net income, services, protection, care, assistance, society, companionship, guidance, counsel and advice.

It remains to be seen how this lawsuit will play out, but this is yet another negative story in what has been a tumultuous offseason for the Patriots already.

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