SCRANTON — A bereaved family is suing Valley View School District, Highland Associates Architecture Interior Design, S.G. Mastriani Co. and S.G. Mastriani Construction Management Inc., citing alleged negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death.
Joanne Cantafio, individually and as administratrix of the estate of Anthony L. Cantafio, and Anthony M. Cantafio filed a complaint June 1 in the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County, alleging that the defendants violated state and local guidelines for football field dimensions and violated the guidelines of the American Society for Testing and Materials regarding the impact attenuation of field surfacing materials.
According to the complaint, between Sept. 30, 2016 and Oct. 10, 2016, Anthony L. Cantafio was struck head-on by a Valley View player, allegedly causing him to violently land on the back of his head. The plaintiffs said Anthony L. Cantafio suffered catastrophic injuries, which ultimately lead to his death.
In addition, the plaintiffs said family members suffered shock and emotional distress and incurred expenses related to Anthony L. Cantafio's death.
The plaintiffs said they hold the defendants responsible because they allegedly made the conscious choice not to design and construct a football field that did not meet the minimum industry safety standards.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek in excess of 50,000 and in excess of the arbitration limits under the Wrongful Death Act, exclusive of pre-judgment and post-judgment interests and costs. They are represented by Edward Ciarimboli and Harry McGrath Jr of Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC in Kingston.
Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County case number 2018-CV-2991