When Mental & Emotional Abuse Leads To Wrongful Death

Following one student rower’s suicide, a new type of wrongful death lawsuit was filed in December against his University and team’s rowing coach under allegations that verbal abuse from the coach was to blame for the suicide. The lawsuit alleges that the student was mistreated in retaliation after the coach allowed another rower accused of sexual misconduct to remain on the team, in addition to directly verbally abusing the student who spoke out against it. The defense filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that too much time elapsed between interactions between the coach and the student to warrant a cause and effect claim.

Cases like these can get messy, and involve delving deeper and deeper into medical and mental health histories. When each side undergoes discovery, whether or not the victim in question previously underwent any in-patient treatment and/or experienced mental health symptoms will be examined. The history of the defense’s employment – and whether similar behavior occurred in other positions – as well as whether the defendant was aware of any particular vulnerabilities – are also typically brought up in the course of the defense against the claim.

The Case & Claims

In this particular case, other rowers who have competed under this same coach have described a similar culture in which “crass and offensive language,” amongst other put-downs, was regularly used with the athletes. Some have even described being “paralyzed with fear” as a result. A number of athletes on the team have described the coach’s behavior having a significant negative effect on their mental health. The plaintiffs disagree that there was a break in exposure prior to the student’s suicide, and instead claim that the suicide occurred upon his return to the university and again being subject to the coach’s behavior.

The claim also goes beyond verbal, mental, and emotional abuse and alleges that the coach purposely forced overly arduous workouts for the decedent to the point of inducing vomiting, as well as a demotion that affected the student’s rowing career. The lawsuit not only names the Head Coach, but also his supervisors for ignoring and enabling the illegal behavior, and also involves the school’s Title IX policy, given that there are requirements to immediately report any sexual misconduct allegations to the school itself and the coach’s failure to do so is in question in the case. In addition to alleged violations of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Retaliation, plaintiffs are also alleging violation of the Fourteenth Amendment (denial of equal protection from a hostile education environment and substantive due process), as well as negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and wrongful death.

Macon, Georgia Injury & Wrongful Death Attorneys

Verbal abuse in any context can amount to emotional distress and lead to injury. If you or a loved one has concerns about mental and emotional injuries, contact our Macon personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill today and let us answer any questions you might have.

Sources:

sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2022-12-07/rowers-family-says-abusive-coach-pushed-athlete-to-suicide

foxnews.com/sports/family-late-rower-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit-sons-suicide-allege-verbal-abuse-went-too-far