Anthony G. Attrino
nj.com
(TNS)
The father of a Linden High School football player who died of a head injury after he was tackled twice during a home game in 2022 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the district, the city, and emergency medical services.
Xavier McClain, 16, died Sept. 21, 2022, at University Hospital in Newark of a traumatic brain injury he received during a game in Linden more than a week earlier, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of the student’s father, Norman McClain.
The teen was tackled on Sept. 9, 2022, while playing against Woodbridge High School and suffered an injury to his upper body and brain, according to the suit filed Feb. 14 in Superior Court of Middlesex County.
After the first tackle, McClain exited the game and was placed on the sidelines.
“During this time, no trainer or medical expert attended to Xavier McClain’s injuries and no mandatory concussion protocol procedures were undertaken,” the lawsuit says.
McClain went back into the game later and was again tackled, according to the lawsuit.
“After this hit or tackle, Xavier McClain collapsed to the ground and emergency medical services were called,” the suit says.
The player was taken to the hospital, where he died 12 days later, according to the lawsuit.
The suit accuses district employees of being “negligent in their instruction and supervision of decedent Xavier McClain, which resulted in a traumatic brain injury and ultimate death.”
Atiya Y. Perkins, superintendent of Linden Public Schools, did not immediately respond on Wednesday to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
The suit also names Linden Emergency Medical Services and Woodbridge Emergency Medical Services, claiming in part they took too long to respond.
“(They) did not have the proper equipment to treat the unresponsive Xavier McClain’s injuries once they finally arrived at the scene of the accident, resulting in the delay of potential life sustaining treatment,” the suit alleges.
Representatives of Linden and Woodbridge EMS did not immediately respond on Wednesday to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
According to previous reporting, Linden won the game against Woodbridge with substantial contributions from McClain. He carried twice for 18 yards, caught an eight-yard pass and also made four tackles.
At 5-feet, 5-inches tall, and 132 pounds, McClain was a budding star for the team and one of several sophomores either starting or earning regular playing time for the Tigers during the season.
McClain’s obituary states he played baseball and basketball, but that football was his passion and he hoped to turn pro one day.
McClain’s fatal injury came just one day after Ali Muhammad, a football player for Rahway High School, died in his sleep. A cause of death was not made public.
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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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