Lawsuit of the Day a Couple of Days Ago: Softballer Can't Slide, Wants Money

This story actually broke last week, but I wanted to make sure you guys saw it. The Daily News reports:

A Queens softball player is suing the city, claiming she busted her ankle because her high school coach never taught her how to slide.
Alina Cerda, 15, says she’s been sidelined for seven months and wants the city Education Department and Francis Lewis High School coach Bryan Brown to pay.

Cerda busted her leg during — wait for it — a sliding drill.
I feel bad about making fun of a fifteen-year-old girl. Don’t worry, I am going to make fun of her — I just want you guys to know I feel bad about what’s about to happen.


We could talk about assumption of risk in the context of high school sports. But we shouldn’t have to. More importantly, city lawyers — on the taxpayer’s dime, mind you — shouldn’t be forced to defend this ridiculous lawsuit. She broke her ankle running the bases. You don’t get a cash prize for that. You get some ice and an ACE bandage for that.
You know, I find it hard to believe that a 15-year-old girl really wanted to sue the city and the school because she was clumsy. No, this reeks of “parents looking for a payday.”
Fans of Friday Night Lights know what is going on here. This story is uncannily similar to what happened to Jason Street. Street, the Quarterback, was paralyzed (like two minutes into the first episode of the show) when he tried to tackle a guy after throwing an interception. Later in the series, Street ends up suing the school — not because he wants to, but because his parents are saddled with his medical expenses and needed the help.
I’m willing to bet all the money in my pockets that Erna Cerda — Alina’s mother — watches Friday Night Lights. I’m also willing to bet that this mother has played 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 on the MegaMillions more than once. On FNL, Street is an outcast for a while, but his family eventually gets the money it needs and his friends are able to understand why he sued. But somebody needs to tell Ms. Cerda that there is a big difference between a television show and the real life ridicule she’s set to put her daughter through.
And somebody needs to remind Ms. Cerda’s lawyer — Clay Evall — that there will not be a pot of gold waiting for him at the end of this rainbow. And I don’t want to hear any crap about the field conditions. She lives in Queens — you’re lucky to have grass and mud on your baseball field in Queens, instead of asphalt and broken glass.
When this suit gets thrown out of court, I think they should take away the mother’s television. We don’t need her coming up with any other ideas.
Teen sues city and Francis Lewis High School softball coach after breaking ankle in slide [Daily News]

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