Lawsuit filed in Tazewell County gym-class death

A $25 million lawsuit filed yesterday alleges a Richlands High School freshman with a heart condition died in September after a gym teacher forced him to do wind sprints in 90-degree heat.

The suit, filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court by the student’s mother, claims school officials knew Kevin J. Stallard II had a heart condition that prohibited physical fitness activity. The suit also said Stallard had a medical excuse from a pediatric cardiologist that clearly stated physical-fitness activities in gym class were not allowed.

Defendants named in the suit were Tazewell County, its school system, Richlands High School Principal Karen Webb, school nurse Angela Cox, physical education teacher Bradley S. Strong and school secretary Debbie Smith.

The suit alleges school officials did not “take appropriate steps to immediately render emergency first aid” and did not call emergency responders for about 20 minutes after the boy collapsed in gym class Sept. 6 and died of a heart attack.