Concussion Suit Against Coach Survives N.J. High Court Challenge

A New Jersey high school coach failed to shake off negligence claims over a concussion sustained by a field hockey player struck by a soccer ball from a neighboring field, after the state’s high court affirmed the former student doesn’t need to show it was a result of recklessness.

Plaintiff Morgan Dennehy may proceed with her claims against Dezarae Fillmyer, the Hightstown High School varsity field hockey coach because a recklessness standard doesn’t apply to a coach’s choices about where and when to hold drills, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, in an opinion written by Judge Clarkson S. ...