The family of a Knoxville high school football player has sued the Union County Board of Education, claiming its employees allowed the player to return to play too soon to the playing field after suffering a concussion.
The plaintiffs, who were not identified, alleged that the player was treated for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which occurred on August 15, 2019 during a practice.
Specifically, they claimed the defendant ignored “the requirements of Tennessee law regarding training and oversight of concussion protocol (when it returned) the minor plaintiff to play without proper medical clearance, resulting in the minor plaintiff experiencing a TBI.”
They further alleged that after suffering the head injury in practice, the player complained of headaches, and a coach was informed of that medical condition. However, the player was never examined and/or evaluated by a healthcare professional or provider and continued to participate in football practice as directed by the head football coach, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit, filed on August 14, seeks $6 million in compensatory damages, $3 million in punitive damages and a jury to hear the case.
