Walkers Sue Coaches In Sons Death

[mbuckles]

AP-KY--Player Death,0128
Suit stems from death of basketball player

LEITCHFIELD, Ky. (AP) - The parents of a Grayson County middle
school basketball player who died after collapsing at practice have
sued his coaches.

Michael and Amy Walker claim in their suit that the coaches
"acted with reckless disregard" for the safety of their
13-year-old son, Keith Michael Walker. The seventh grader collapsed
during practice last October at Grayson County Middle School.

Autopsy results showed Walker died of sudden cardiac death.

The suit filed last week in Grayson County Circuit Court names
Bill Lee and George Meredith as defendants.

In a statement just released by Grayson County Schools. Superintendent
Barry Anderson says the loss of Keith Walker's life has been an emotionally
wrenching time for everyone associated with Grayson County Schools and that
their hearts and prayers go out to the family. The statement does go on to
say that they were disappointed to learn of the suit and that in the 40 years
combined experience between the two coaches, neither had had a complaint
regarding the safety of the programs they led. Anderson said that while
it would be inappropriate to discuss the details of the pending lawsuit,
he was confident that both Lee and Meredith will be exonerated when
the matter is concluded.

The suit seeks punitive damages as well as damages for the boy's
"pain and suffering" and for his medical and funeral expenses.

[bubba]

I don't know what the motivation for a lawsuit. As far as I can see from the press reports, there was no unusual circumsances to the events. It seems odd that after all the fund raising and praises that were given that a lawsuit shows up. To say the coaches the coaches "acted with reckless disregard" seems extreme. Is this the lawyers or the family?

[mbuckles]

Bubba,

I had someone call me this afternoon who had the following question. As someone impartial in the issue, I can't really answer it, but perhaps it will encourage discussion. The person asked "If the Max Gilpin death had not occured at PRP last Summer, would there have been a lawsuit filed in this case?" Interesting query.