On June 15, 2002 — just a week before graduation — Wilton High School senior Brandon White attended a Junior Olympics track meet at Southern Connecticut State University.
He was 1 of the top pole vaulters in the state. But during warmups he fell in the box — the spot where vaulters plant their pole — and broke his back. He’s been paralyzed ever since.
Wynne Bohonnon
His lawyers — Westporter Wynne Bohonnon and Wynne’s cousin, John Wynne — lived with the case for 7 years. Researching the defendants — USA Track & Field, and USA Track and Field Connecticut, the sport’s governing bodies — they found no reported cases involving pole vaulting.
However, Bohonnon says, 2002 alone saw several catastrophic injuries. Two pole vaulters were killed; 1 was paralyzed. He calls the lack of reported cases “bizarre.”‘
Convinced they would win, the defendants made only 1 offer to settle. Pole vaulting is, after all, an inherently dangerous sport.
But, Bohonnon says, the SCSU runway did not conform to USA Track & Field’s own rules. A batting cage impeded Brandon’s ability to measure his steps. And though regulations required 4 officials at the pole vault event, there were none.
During the 7-year journey, Bohonnon learned a lot about Brandon’s life in a wheelchair. The attorney was stunned to find, in the entire New Haven courthouse, not 1 handicap-accessible bathroom Brandon could use.
This week, the jury awarded Brandon $6.4 million. It is, Bohonnon says, a ground-breaking judgment — the first of its kind against the powerful athletic organization.
The insurance impact on future events could be immense. More importantly, Bohonnon says, greater attention paid to safety resulting from the decision may give every track and field parent a bit more peace of mind.
Wow so this is what articles look like when you only get one side of the story…
Nearly every statement here is false.
“Researching the defendants — USA Track & Field, and USA Track and Field Connecticut, the sport’s governing bodies — they found no reported cases involving pole vaulting.”
Catastrophic sports injuries are not tracked by USATF, they are tracked by the NCCSI. The cases were all widely reported in the press. The USA Track and Field Pole Vault Safety Chair Jan Johnson testified in this trial. He works closely with the NCCSI to make sure they are aware of catastrophic injuries, and with NGBs to adjust the rules to make the event safer.
“Convinced they would win, the defendants made only 1 offer to settle. ”
That is not true! The underwriting insurance company did NOT want to see this go to jury and every day of the trial offered the White family a settlement. It grew to in excess of $3 million dollars and that wasn’t enough for them or their greedy lawyers!
“the SCSU runway did not conform to USA Track & Field’s own rules. A batting cage impeded Brandon’s ability to measure his steps.”
The runway did meet all rules. The batting cage was located well behind where Brandon started his run. Brandon chose a dangerous method of selecting where he ran from, one not recommended by any knowledgeable pole vaulting coach. The batting cage was on wheels, it would have been easy for him to move it out of the way.
“And though regulations required 4 officials at the pole vault event, there were none.”
Regulations do not require 4 officials. And the official WAS present, but then he had to step away to grab the clipboard. He told the athletes not to vault until he got back. Brandon disobeyed this instruction.
Furthermore, even if the official HAD been there, there is nothing he could have done to prevent this injury! Officials are not coaches and do not have the authority to tell athletes to make changes to their run or pole selection or technique or any of the other factors that led to his injury.
“Bohonnon learned a lot about Brandon’s life in a wheelchair. The attorney was stunned to find, in the entire New Haven courthouse, not 1 handicap-accessible bathroom Brandon could use.”
Bohonnon failed to tell you that in 2004 Brandon completed several years of a rigorous program called Sit Tall Stand Tall and was able to give up his wheelchair and walk with the aid of crutches and braces. But of course it looked better for the jury to have him back in the chair the whole time.
“More importantly, Bohonnon says, greater attention paid to safety resulting from the decision may give every track and field parent a bit more peace of mind.”
There is nothing anyone at USATF could have done to prevent this injury. The only “win” they got was a fat lump of cash in their pockets and the high likelihood that liability insurance will now be more difficult for all organizations to get. Result: less kids will be able to pole vault.
Congratulations, White family. Instead of addressing the root problem: The poor coaching Brandon had received, you chose to attack those not at fault and now thousands of kids will likely be denied the opportunity to enjoy the sport your son enjoyed so much.
To read the defense attorney’s side of the article go here: http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17743&start=12
WoW! While researching the issue I came across this little blog. The outlandish propaganda of the original article is only offset by the validity of the responding comment. Anyone reading this stuff should know that the truth lies in the details. As a pole vault coach for 4 years and director of a pole vault club, the issue is as real among teenagers as car crashes, football injuries, drug overdoses and jumping off Devil’s Den. Proper education and supervision is the only answer to sad events; not trumped up legal success stories by Westport and (Guilford?) lawyers.