Family to Sue Over Teen's Gym Class Death

The family of Schermiela Palmer will sue the city over her death during gym class at Beach Channel High School. The teen collapsed after running a lap last week, and the Daily News reports that the Palmer family believes the gym teacher was pushing her too hard. The autopsy later found Palmer to have cardiac arryhthmia. Lawyer Stephen Drummond said, "She had complained to them before and they still pushed her. This family suffered a great loss. They can't bring her back, but this is something that could bring closure to the family."

The city may face another lawsuit from a student's family. Earlier this week, the family of Luis Rivera filed a notice of claim; Rivera died after being electrocuted when he was leaving a closed school basketball court.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 23, 2006 10:46 AM

Comments [rss]

Mercy

You people are sick.

robin.g

I didn't know Ann Coulter posted here.

Since when do people who have a death in the family suddenly start scheming for money? I hope someone I love dies tragically so I can sue and get a new car!

pfft

pathetic that this family thinks it will "bring closure." my ass. all they see is dollar signs. and some new fendi glasses.

do you really think the family will do anything like set up a fund in her name or donate that money to families of children with heart problems? no. they are going to spend it on designer goods.

"gee, i am really sad my daughter is dead but i feel good now that i got some fendi sunglasses!"

if the family really cared about her, they would not let a girl that young get that freaking fat. and they would have taken her to see a doctor, because i cannot imagine she never complained about her health to them too.

dd

problem is the slick lawyers bet on the city just settling due to costs. I for one would rather the city have the legal team necessary to stop settling frivolous cases.

Samantha T

"you know, they need to start making the people who bring up frivolous lawsuits pay for both side's legal fees when they lose."

These protections already exist in NY state and federal courts.

Vinny

Oh gee... Who saw this one coming?

The Art of Happiness

Yah, I don't think it was his fault. Why sue?

SB

"you know, they need to start making the people who bring up frivolous lawsuits pay for both side's legal fees when they lose."

AGREED.

When people lose this kind of suit, they should automatically be get sued back.

Maybe if you made your kid get off her fat ass once in a while she wouldnt have dropped dead. Or, if you took her to the doctor once in a while, maybe they would have found out about her heart condition.

Just because you are a terrible parent doesnt mean you get cash for it when the kid dies.

As for the kid that got electrocuted, that's what happens when your brat son enters closed property. The basketball court was closed. He should not have been there in the first place. The tip for that was the fact that he had to CLIMB OVER THE FENCE TO GET IN! That's like suing a store owner for shooting your son for breaking and entering after the store is closed!

ju

minorities always scheming again

quarter water

Teachers are supposed to "push" or challenge their students. Gym teachers are also supposed to do that. Without being challenged, a student cannot acheive. If status quo is fine, why go to school? Without a push, what's the point?

Who gets sued when-- after a lifetime of sucking down Ho Hos and quarter water and Kennedy Fried Chicken-- someone who never ran some laps goes blind and has both of his or her legs amputated because of uncontrolled diabetes?