A minor boy lost his teeth after he collided head-on with his peer while playing a game at school, his mother claims in recently filed court documents.
Amanda Lane filed a lawsuit Sept. 18 in Madison County Circuit Court against East Alton Wood River Community High School District No. 14.
In her complaint, Lane alleges her ninth-grade son, Hunter O’Brien, was participating in a gym class at East Alton Wood River High School on Sept. 18, 2012, when staff there required him to play a game called Town Ball. During the game, players are forced to run toward bases in opposite directions while also paying attention to the play in the field, according to the lawsuit.
“The plaintiff, while running from third to second base, collided with a teammate running from second to third base,” the suit states. “The two teammates collided head to head, causing the plaintiff to fall backwards, striking his head on the hardwood floor.”
Because of the incident, O’Brien suffered face and mouth injuries, lost his permanent teeth, sustained an eye and head injury and suffered pain, the complaint says. His mother also claims her son incurred medical costs and lost money.
In her complaint, Lane blames the school for causing her son’s injuries, saying it negligently required him to engage in a game that it knew was dangerous and failed to adequately instruct her son on the methods required to play the game.
Lane seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.
Samuel A. Mormino Jr. of Mormino, Velloff and Snider in Alton will be representing her.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-1587.