SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A Massachusetts woman whose husband had a fatal heart attack while attending a New England Patriots game with their 6-year-old son has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the team, the NFL and others.

Jeffrey Chartier, 40, died following a confrontation with a security guard before a game in September 2010 after their son, Tedy, was invited onto the field by two NFL officials, the lawsuit said, according to The Republican newspaper of Springfield.

His widow, Kimberly Chartier of Chicopee, is seeking at least $10 million in the lawsuit filed in late June in Hampden Superior Court.

The security guard confronted Jeffrey Chartier because his son did not have proper credentials to be on the field, even though he had been invited onto the field by NFL officials about an hour and a half before the start of the game, and at a time when the stadium was nearly empty, according to the lawsuit.

“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,” the suit said.

Following the 15-minute confrontation, Chartier went back to his seat and slumped over and became unresponsive. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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His son is named after former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

The lawsuit seeks damages for Chartier’s family “for the fair monetary value of Jeffrey Chartier to them,” including compensation for expected net income, services, protection, care, assistance, society, companionship, guidance, counsel and advice. The Chartiers also have a daughter.

The suit also names the guard, the security company and stadium operators as defendants.

David Grossbaum, a lawyer representing the NFL in the matter, and Douglas Fox, a lawyer representing the other defendants, told the newspaper they had no comment on the pending litigation. Grossbaum said he would file his response to the charges in court.

The Patriots held a moment of silence in Jeffrey Chartier’s memory before their next home game after his death and donated an autographed Tom Brady jersey for auction at a benefit for the family.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft also sent a letter of condolence to the family.


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