Former Highlands HS Athlete Sues School District
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The family of a former high school football player has filed a federal lawsuit over what it sees as the lasting impact of concussions.
Family members say school staff should have known something was wrong and they blame the Highlands School District for dropping the ball.
Megan Alt, Zack's mother, and Robert Peirce, his lawyer, say he suffered concussions on the football field three times during his sophomore year in 2007. He had a ringing in the ears, but wasn't sure what happened the first two times.
But the third one during a playoff game against Knoch High School resulted in a hit that left him disoriented and unable to remember what happened.
"Another teammate went to the trainer and told the trainer that, 'Zack isn't right. He's walking around like he's drunk.' Neither the coach or the trainer kept him out of the game," Peirce said.
His mother took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
They also allege the district just gave him good grades to allow him to pass and that even with a diploma, he has a 10th grade education.
The claim about education is one of the reasons the suit was filed in federal court.
The Highlands School District issued a statement offering no comment until their solicitor reviews the suit and that he would answer the allegations in court.
RELATED LINKS
Highlands School District
MedlinePlus: Concussions
