School District Faces Lawsuit over Student’s Brain Injuries

Parents of a Washington State high school student filed a lawsuit alleging their son’s brain injuries occurred because the school’s football coaches failed to hold the young quarterback out of a game despite knowing that he had suffered a head injury at practice the day before.

The Yakima-Herald reports that the personal injury lawsuit filed against the school district in Yakima County Superior Court states that the Highland High School officials did not sit out Matthew Newman from the game despite the earlier injury and although he had not been cleared to play by a doctor — in  violation of the state’s concussion law.

Newman, 17, suffered a head injury in the game and continued to play. Medics were called on the field after he complained of a headache and numbness in his legs. He lost consciousness and slipped in to a coma before he was taken to a hospital, according to the Yakima-Herald. He had to undergo an emergency brain surgery and has since had eight more surgeries.

He now has permanent injuries, including learning disabilities, stroke-like muscular weakness, and risk of seizures requiring medication, tremors and emotional problems, both as a result of neurological damage and also from depression, reports the Yakima-Herald.

The lawsuit holds the coaches responsible for failing to properly assess the extent of Newman’s injuries, for not informing his parents about the earlier blow to the head, and for not referring him to a medical professional’s evaluation.

If you or a loved one has experienced a personal injury, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation and to find out if a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you.

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