Personal Injury Law

Parents of Paralyzed Teenager Sue Chicago Prep School for Injuries to Minor

The family of Christopher Connolly is suing St. Ignatius College Prep student for his personal injury. In 2007, Connolly, then 15, sustained catastrophic injuries when he hit is head on the bottom of the school during water polo practice.

According to the Chicago injury lawsuit, an assistant coach told the other kids to throw snowballs at Connolly and called him ?Flounder,? which is considered a derogatory nickname. To avoid the snowballs, buoys, kickboards, and other pool equipment that were thrown at him, the 15-year-old dove into the pool per another coach?s instructions.

The Chicago injuries to minor complaint, filed in Cook County, claims that Connolly ?was forced to dive into the pool.? He struck the bottom of the pull and fractured his vertebrae during the alleged hazing incident. He was hospitalized for almost four months. Because of his spinal cord injury, Connolly is now a quadriplegic.

He requires the use of a wheelchair, and needs assistance bathing, getting dressed, and picking up objects off the ground. He needs full-time care. He also underwent intensive and lengthy therapy and has been able to regain some use of his hands and arms.

Connolly says that he also suffers physical trauma and embarrassment because he now has to use a wheelchair. After the accident, he enrolled in another school.

Connolly?s family is seeking undisclosed damages, as well recovery for medical costs.

Suing a Chicago School for Personal Injury
Schools and their staff members are supposed to make sure that students on the premise are not harmed and that there are no hazards on the premise that could cause personal injury or wrongful death. Failure to provide students with this safety can be grounds for an injuries to minor lawsuit.

Paralyzed teen's parents sue Chicago school over alleged hazing, Chicago Tribune, August 19, 2009

Read the Complaint (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
St. Ignatius College Prep

Quadriplegia Care Guide

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on August 20, 2009 (boomark / email).