A former Madras High School student has sued the Jefferson County School District for $598,639.61, claiming a district employee was negligent when he allowed a 25-pound weight to fall on student Joshua Rodriguez’ head, causing a concussion.
Rodriguez was participating in a weightlifting class taught by Kurt Taylor when the incident occurred on May 22, 2017.
Rodriguez was immediately taken to the hospital with various injuries, including a concussion, a laceration to the back of the head, memory loss, mobility and balance issues, headaches and visual impairment, according to the complaint, which was submitted by Portland-based lawyer Jason Kafoury.
The plaintiff alleges that the school district is responsible for his injuries. He claimed Taylor didn’t supervise students during weight room cleanup when the weight was stored, didn’t inspect the loose weights, failed to provide enough locking clamps to secure the weights and allowed the weights to be placed on the racks unsecured; nor did he provide safety instruction for cleanup duties, with regard to securing weights.
Rodriguez is seeking $98,639.91 to cover his medical expenses as well as $500,000 for the noneconomic damages related to his permanent discomfort.
The suit was filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court.
