Bleacher collapse suit settled
The parents of one cheerleader injured when a set of bleachers collapsed and injured their daughter have settled a lawsuit they brought against the Uniontown Area School District. The suit was settled last month for $235,000 – $137,989 of which will be put into an account in Taylor Wrona’s name until she turns 18 years old.
Wrona’s parents, David and Joy Wrona, filed the lawsuit in Fayette County Court in January 2009. The collapse occurred on Jan. 5, 2008. At the time, Taylor Wrona was a freshman cheerleader. The suit claimed Wrona and other students were pushing the bleachers back into their storage position so the squad could practice.
The bleachers, which were attached to the gym floor, collapsed on Wrona, pinning her underneath, the suit alleged. That resulted in an ankle fracture, dental fractures, a broken nose, facial bruises and other scarring, the lawsuit claimed.
Two other cheerleaders and a custodian at the school also were injured.
A second suit, filed on behalf of a second cheerleader, remains unresolved.
The remainder is divvied up as follows: $78,333 to the Wronas’ attorneys, $1,867 toward costs their attorneys incurred, and $9,301 toward a medical lien and $7,510 for physical therapy.
Three months after Wrona’s parents filed suit, the mother of a second, injured cheerleader filed a similar suit. Terri Walker, mother of Shaneque Walker, then 17, claimed in her filing that the coaches told the cheerleaders to put the bleachers back into position.
Shaneque Walker was pinned under the bleachers, her mother alleged. Her suit alleged she had both broken bones and nerve damage.
Dr. Charles Machesky, superintendent, did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment on the settlement.