Fan sues Romero, alleging injury

CLEARWATER, Fla. - J.C. Romero is being sued by the Florida man who accused the Phillies pitcher of striking him after a game at Tropicana Field last season.

Robert Eaton, 26, of New Port Richey, filed a lawsuit March 3 in Pinellas County, claiming that Romero caused him serious and permanent injury on June 25, 2009, according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times.

Eaton alleges that Romero hit him in the neck when he was asking for an autograph. After St. Petersburg police investigated the claim and handed it to the state attorney's office, charges were not pursued because of conflicting accounts from witnesses.

Eaton is believed to be seeking at least $15,000 in damages and a jury trial. According to the report, Eaton could not enroll in firefighter school because he failed to pass a physical.

When asked about the lawsuit yesterday, Romero said he did not want to discuss specifics.

"I'm trying to put it behind me," he said. "When something changes, I'll talk."

- Matt Gelb