A school district has filed a notice in 1st District Court in Idaho, suggesting that a lawsuit involving a concussed student athlete, who was allegedly returned to play too soon, has been resolved through mediation.
Julie and Robert Clark sued the West Bonner County School District in 2013 on behalf of their son, Bobby Clark III. Clark was a varsity offensive and defense lineman for Priest River Lamanna High School. He was injured in a game against Timberlake High School in 2011.
The plaintiffs alleged that Clark was removed from the game after alleged suffering a head injury, and then reinserted two plays later by the coaching staff. He then allegedly suffered another head injury, returned to the sidelines, and collapsed. Clark was “unconscious, disoriented and obviously suffering from a head injury and/or brain injury,” according to the complaint. He was ultimately flown to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed on life support.
The Clarks argued that the coaches failed to comply with Idaho high school requirements for evaluating head injuries. They further claimed the coaches were negligent for putting their son back into the game. The Clarks sought damages for medical costs, lost earning ability and mental suffering.
The also named Riddell, which built a helmet that “was defective and failed to protect,” as a defendant.
While the plaintiffs maintained that their son suffered permanent and irreversible disability from the injuries, he did reportedly graduate from high school with a perfect grade point average.
The Clarks were represented by Bentley Stromberg, an attorney with Clements, Brown & McNichols, P.A. in Lewiston, ID.
