Cruel & Unusual (Exercise as) Punishment? Claims of Constitutional Violations Dismissed in Student-Athlete Wrongful Death Case, Giordano v. School Board

By Elizabeth Catalano and Kimberly Sachs, of Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP   After the tragic death of Zachary Tyler Martin-Polsenberg, a former football player at Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Florida, Laurie Giordano, his bereaved mother, brought a federal lawsuit against the School Board of Lee County, Florida, Coach James Delgado, and Lee County EMS (collectively, the “Defendants”). The suit alleged common law counts of negligence and wrongful death, as well as two