Mobile Circuit Judge to make final ruling in the Timothy Robinson lawsuit against Shutt Sports
(Mobile, Ala.) – A Mobile Circuit Judge will issue a final ruling in a confidential settlement of a lawsuit Friday, October 7th at 8:30 a.m. filed on behalf of former LeFlore High School football player Timothy Robinson against Shutt Sports, a company that manufactures helmets. Timothy is the young man who sustained a traumatic brain injury during a 2009 football game between LeFlore High School and Spanish Fort High School. Timothy is permanently confined to a wheelchair and has limited use of his limbs. Timothy, his mother, and attorneys with the firm Taylor Martino will hold a news conference following the court’s ruling, Friday, October 7th at 9:30 a.m. in the atrium of Government Plaza.
Timothy’s mother, Evelyn McGhee, says news of the impending settlement is welcome, but she wasn’t expecting anything. “To know that Tim will be protected and have money to do what he needs and wants to do is a blessing,” she said. Evelyn and her late husband have been Timothy’s primary care givers. With her husband’s recent passing, Evelyn has taken on added duties caring for Timothy and she hasn’t been able to work. “This settlement will allow me to hire extra help to care for Tim, and not have to worry about how to pay for his transportation and medical costs. I’ll also be able to return to my job.”
Timothy was hurt in the last 30 seconds of the October 9, 2009 LeFlore – Spanish Fort football game when he tackled a Spanish Fort player near the end zone. When he went down, Timothy couldn’t get up. Timothy spent months undergoing rehabilitation in Atlanta, Georgia at Shepherd Center and continues his physical therapy in Mobile. He’s still unable to stand or perform personal hygiene without assistance. However, Tim is able to communicate with a special laptop computer that speaks for him.
Evelyn says that despite her son’s injuries and limited mobility, he is outgoing and loves to attend Bible study classes. She also says Tim’s greatest wish is to go to a New Orleans Saints football game to watch his favorite player, Mark Ingram. Evelyn says she hopes she can make that wish come true for Tim.
* UPDATE *
Injured high school football player awarded settlement
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – This weekend marks the
two year anniversary of Timothy Robinson’s devastating injury. The
former Leflore football player’s life was seriously altered after being
injured during a game. He is permanently confined to a wheelchair.
However, the outcome of a recent lawsuit will help his recovery in a
tremendous way.
It was a joyous announcement in the atrium of Government Plaza.
Richard
Taylor, Robinson’s lawyer, said, “The judge approved Timothy’s
confidential settlement with the manufacturer of the helmet that Timothy
was wearing in the ball game against Spanish Fort.”
Timothy’s
family sued Schutt Manufacturing Company. After reviewing video of the
tackle, the lawyer and coaches said it was not an unusual hit, leaving
many questioning how Timothy suffered such a severe injury.
“We
began an investigation into the helmet, and we were in the process of
filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer and found that they were in
bankruptcy,” Taylor added. “We got permission from the bankruptcy court
to proceed against the company, and we found that there were five other
children across the country who have sustained injuries similar to
Timothy’s, wearing the same type of helmet.”
The settlement will
help Timothy’s mom Evelyn provide him necessary care. With her husband’s
recent passing, Evelyn is the primary caregiver and has taken on extra
duties for Timothy. She also had to quit her job. It’s been difficult,
and the money comes as a blessing.
“The settlement means to me
that I’m not going to be so stressed out with the medical expenses that I
would normally have, the incontinent products, things that we normally
would have to stress about, the transportation costs,” Evelyn McGhee
said. “It does ease the burden for the everyday financial situation.”
Timothy has already come a long way with the resources he has and now will propel even further.
“It’s
helped a lot, especially with the communications device with the power
chair. It gives him that sense of independence that Tim longs for, and
it provided us the opportunity for us to be able to communicate with him
better. It also will give him the opportunity to go to school,” added
McGhee.
When asked how he’s feeling about the settlement, Timothy
responded, “It means that the healing process can begin. Hopefully, I’m
able to release my CD and able to go off to college.”
Hope and perseverance have gotten him this far, and this settlement should help him fulfill his dreams.
The settlement was obtained for all six injured children.
Injured high school football player awarded settlement: fox10tv.com
