Isaac Lindsey family sues Templeton School District
Isaac Lindsey
Lawsuit claims football injury will have lifelong consequences
The family of Templeton High School footballer Loren Isaac Lindsey filed a lawsuit last week alleging the high school, school district and Riddell All-American Sports Corporation bear responsibility for a football accident that lead to Isaac Lindsey’s traumatic brain injury.
Click on image above to review a copy of the lawsuit.
Following the Sept. 18, 2015 injury, Lindsey spent more than a week in a medically-induced coma and nearly three months in a San Jose rehabilitation facility. Lindsey returned home just before Christmas to a community parade and celebration held for him.
Jennifer Lindsey, the plaintiff’s mother and an art teacher at Templeton Elementary School, alleges that the Riddell helmet young Lindsey was wearing failed to properly protect him from head injuries. The lawsuit also suggests that high school personnel “failed in the standard of care in multiple ways.”
At the time Jennifer Lindsey wrote on her Facebook page that, “we believe that Isaac simply played through what he thought was a mere headache or minor injury. There were no signs or indicators to anyone that this was as serious as it turned out to be.”
Richard C. Watters of Fresno’s Miles, Sears & Eanni lawfirm is representing the Lindseys in their lawsuit. Watters said that the family has received no insurance money, nor financial assistance either from Templeton High or the Templeton School District. However, the outpouring of support from the Templeton community was considerable. The combined efforts of Team Isaac and a crowd-funding campaign netted Isaac Lindsey more than $100,000 to help with his medical expenses.
Said Watters, “My responsibility is to protect Isaac Lindsey’s interests from very serious, lifelong injuries.” According to California law, the lawsuit cannot specify a monetary amount of damages compensation.
The Templeton School District Superintendent Joe Koski released a statement after the lawsuit was filed:
“Our heartfelt thoughts and best wishes continue to be with Isaac Lindsey and his family. They are valued members of the Eagle community. The district isn’t in a position to discuss this confidential matter. We are confident a positive outcome which validates the expertise and care of our students and employees will be the ultimate disposition of the case. In the meantime we ask for patience and empathy for everyone involved in both sides of this difficult matter.
The Lindsey family could not be reached for comment.
email Jordan Elgrably
Last fall, teammates and friends of Isaac Lindsey added personal notes to banners showing their support. Photo by Penny Fuentes
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