Family Of Student Died During Conditioning Drills Gets $1M

Family Of Student Died During Conditioning Drills Gets $1M

Introduction

The family of an incoming freshman at Middleton High School who collapsed and died during football conditioning drills will receive a $1 million settlement from the Hillsborough County School board.

The incident happened in 2019 at Middleton High School, where the 14-year-old collapsed during football conditioning drills and died less than an hour later.

According to a letter from July 2019, indicating the family's intention to sue, the boy's father informed the coaching staff on the first day of training that the boy had never participated in rigorous physical training, and would need appropriate instruction, supervision, and guidance.

During an internal investigation, the superintendent at the time of the boy's death said that incomplete records and athlete clearance forms were found. Eakins also informed that on the day of the drill, athletes were told to walk, not run, and have water breaks every 10 minutes.

Later, the school district removed two administrators from Middleton High School and also appointed one certified athletic trainer at each of its 27 high schools.

The settlement was approved by the school board in the early weeks of June with an intention to continually improve processes and systems for students.