PITTSBURGH – The mother of a high school boy who lacerated two fingers on the exposed metal portion of bleachers during his gym class has brought a lawsuit against the school district on her son’s behalf.
Lisa Jane Karner (legal guardian of John Doe) of Allegheny County filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 28 versus Jefferson Hills School District, of Jefferson Hills.
On Oct. 14, 2019, the plaintiff was participating in a physical education class at Thomas Jefferson High School’s gymnasium, where he had been directed by his teacher to play a tag-like game. Included in the gymnasium were fixtures that were pull-out bleacher and on the day in question, one section had been partially opened, exposing metal ridges where two pieces of metal came to a juncture.
“As plaintiff and fellow students were participating in the activity directed by the [teacher], minor plaintiff lost his balance while being tagged and fell towards the bleachers. The plaintiff’s right hand fell onto the back side of the facing plate with his right pinky finger and ring finger coming down on the ridge metal,” the suit states.
“As a result of his hand coming in contact with the ridge metal, the plaintiff suffered a severe laceration to both his pinky finger and ring finger on his right hand. As a result of the laceration to his pinky finger, the plaintiff was required to undergo surgery to repair nerve damage. Plaintiff will have to continue medical treatment including physical therapy and other rehabilitation efforts in attempt to gain full use of his finger.”
The incident has left the plaintiff, the suit states, with permanent limitations/lifelong sequelae, permanent scarring, extreme pain and suffering as a result of his injuries.
For a count of negligence, the plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of the arbitration limits of this county, including fees and costs as deemed appropriate by the Court, plus a trial by jury.
The plaintiffs are represented by David C. Brumfield of Alpern Schubert, in Pittsburgh.
The defendant has not yet secured legal counsel.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-20-010230
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com