School District Slammed with $12 Million Lawsuit for Staph Infection to Wrestling Team

Recently, a Long Island High School was slammed with a $12 million lawsuit due to an outbreak of a staph infection that affected five students on the district’s wrestling team last January. The suit alleges negligence on the grounds that the wrestling mats used by the team had not been replaced in seven years, and were not disinfected properly to protect the students from illness.

Additionally, the suit alleges that parents of the wrestlers were not given proper notice regarding the infections. Although generally curable with antibiotics, staph infections can be fatal if not properly treated, depending on the strain. In this case, the bacterial strain was MRSA- an infection leading to 11,285 deaths a year, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Recently, a Long Island High School was slammed with a $12 million lawsuit due to an outbreak of a staph infection that affected five students on the district’s wrestling team last January. The suit alleges negligence on the grounds that the wrestling mats used by the team had not been replaced in seven years, and were not disinfected properly to protect the students from illness.

Additionally, the suit alleges that parents of the wrestlers were not given proper notice regarding the infections. Although generally curable with antibiotics, staph infections can be fatal if not properly treated, depending on the strain. In this case, the bacterial strain was MRSA- an infection leading to 11,285 deaths a year, according to the Center for Disease Control.

One of the students, whose family is bringing suit, endured five days in the hospital and underwent surgery for removal of a lump on his knee as a result of the infection.

A school district may be held liable for negligence if staff and administrators knew of a condition that they failed to remedy, or acted with disregard for the students’ safety and health. The coach and district superintendent were both named as defendants in the suit.

It is important to remember that when bringing suit against a school district, there is a statute of limitations that will bar a claim if not filed in a timely manner. If your child has suffered injury or illness due to the negligence of their school district, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible who can advise you regarding your claim.

Call the lawyers at McGuire & Peláez at (631) 348-1702 for a free consultation.