Nelson files suit against school district, coaches
Marion High School graduate Casey Nelson recently filed a lawsuit, claiming USD 408 and two track coaches committed "wrongful acts" that led to Nelson sustaining serious injuries in an accident that occurred in April 2006.
According to court documents, Nelson, through attorney Derek Casey of Patterson, Gott & Burk of Wichita, MHS coaches Grant Thierolf and Jerry Smith, and USD 408 "failed to provide mats or padding to cover concrete surfaces on the Marion High School pole vault pit for practice on April 3, 2006."
The document continued that a 21-foot square pad was provided in the pit area but no padding was provided in an area of concrete on the south end of the landing pit.
On April 3, Nelson attempted a practice vault and dropped approximately 12 feet on the pole vault landing area, striking his head on concrete, the document stated.
Nelson was taken by air ambulance to a Wichita hospital where he recovered.
The document stated that the force of the impact caused traumatic brain injury to Nelson with consequential cognitive deficits, physical disabilities, headaches, emotional imbalances, and seizures.
The suit asks for an "excess" of $75,000, or maybe more if the "court deems just and equitable."
No trial date has been set at this time.
