Richard Wertheim (c. 1923—September 15, 1983) was an American tennis linesman who suffered a fatal injury on September 10, 1983, during a match at the 1983 US Open.
The blow knocked him backwards and he fell out of the chair onto the hardcourt surface, striking his head.
[3] He had a history of chronic cardiovascular disease having had a heart attack and stroke at age 40 years.
[6] In an opinion suggesting that the impact of the tennis ball had not been the proximate cause of his death, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York reversed a $165,000 jury award to his estate.
[4] Following this event, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) refrained from having linesmen sitting during plays.