The family of a Seattle, Washington high school football player, who died after suffering a second concussion in a few weeks, has sued the school district and the doctor who treated him in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Kenney Bui was playing in an September 4, 2015 football game for Evergreen High School football when the suffered a concussion. After that head injury, “he complained of a small headache and was removed from play by his coach pursuant to the guidelines indicated under the Lystedt Law,” according to the complaint. Twenty-eight days later, in another game, he suffered a second concussion. After leaving the field, he lost consciousness, was taken to the hospital and was put on life support. Three days later, he died.
At the time, Catherine Carbone Rogers, chief communications officer for Highline Public Schools told The Seattle Times: “I can confirm that Kenney Bui had a mild concussion in early September. He was seen by a doctor and cleared for our Return To Play protocol, which eases the athlete back into practice and games over a couple of weeks.”
His parents — Ngon Van Bui and Nguyet-Sen Huynh Le — claim the school district and the physician were negligent because they allowed him back on the field too soon after the first concussion. Specifically, they alleged the physician failed “to communicate the gravity of the medical condition to his patient and parents.”
They also alleged that the school district allowed Bui “to return to play without fully completing the return to play protocol.” Specifically, “defendant HPS (Highline Public Schools) is liable for the negligence of its agents and employees, including its Athletic Director, Coaches and other administrative staff.”
HPS issued the following statement:
“Kenney’s death was a devastating loss for the Bui family and our entire Highline Public Schools community. The safety of our students is of primary importance, and Highline is a leader in taking measures that continually increase the safety of our student athletes. The lawsuit is currently in litigation and we are unable to comment on specifics of the case.”
