March 09, 2019 at 09:11PM
Ali Roberts is suing the school, her former coach and an assistant athletic trainer for negligence after she said she suffered concussions while performing with the team but did not receive adequate care after the falls.
LAKELAND — A former Southeastern University cheerleader is suing the school, her former coach and an assistant athletic trainer for negligence after she said she suffered concussions while performing with the team but did not receive adequate care after the falls.
Tampa-based lawyer Joseph Alvarez has filed the lawsuit in the 10th Judicial Circuit on behalf of Ali Roberts, who is claiming six counts of negligence against Southeastern cheerleading coach Krissa Wallsteadt, assistant athletic trainer Lana Olson and Southeastern University.
Alvarez says that Southeastern didn't properly train Wallsteadt and Olson on concussion protocols set up by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics when they failed to ensure treatment to a concussed student.
"The school is trying to suggest that she wasn't injured despite objective findings saying otherwise," Alvarez told The Ledger. "It's mind-blowing to me that the school is not doing anything. It's a complete reckless disregard for the safety of their students."
Southeastern Athletic Director Drew Watson and school public relations officer Dana Davis declined to comment.
In the lawsuit, Roberts says she fell on her head during a Sept. 1, 2016, team practice while performing an acrobatic maneuver. After the fall, Roberts was tended to by assistant coach Kim Henry.
In a deposition, Wallsteadt recalled that Roberts didn't show any signs of a possible concussion and that, after practice, she was driven home by Henry without seeing an athletic trainer or doctor.
Roberts was then cleared to return to the team by Olson, but she again fell on Oct. 20, "aggravating and compounding injury resulting in ongoing neuro-cognitive deficits," according to the suit.
In total, Alvarez says this was the fourth concussion in Roberts' life, and that the Southeastern University concussion policy states that after a third concussion in a lifetime, a referral to a doctor is required.
Alvarez also says there was an unsafe atmosphere even before Roberts' injuries.
In a 2016 email obtained by The Ledger, former cheerleader Victoria Leone said that nine cheerleaders had set up a meeting with Watson in December 2015 where they discussed problems they were having with Wallsteadt.
In the email sent to Southeastern University President Kent Ingle in March 2016, Leone said the cheerleaders told Watson of Wallsteadt's lack of concern for the team's safety, stating that they were forced to do certain stunts and tumbles despite being injured. Leone also stated in the email that Wallsteadt didn't respect the team, calling them "ugly," and "made them feel inadequate as far as appearance and worth."
In an email a few days later, Watson told Southeastern Executive Vice President Chris Owen that there were "blatant inaccuracies" in Leone's email and suggested that he and Owen meet with Leone to discuss the matter further.
Alvarez also states that there were several other cases of student athletes not being treated for concussions and were "either forced or encouraged to return to play without ever being evaluated or referred to a physician." Alavarez cites text messages from athletic trainers identifying cases where players weren't properly screened or were allowed to continue to play with concussions.
Ali Roberts is suing the school, her former coach and an assistant athletic trainer for negligence after she said she suffered concussions while performing with the team but did not receive adequate care after the falls.
LAKELAND — A former Southeastern University cheerleader is suing the school, her former coach and an assistant athletic trainer for negligence after she said she suffered concussions while performing with the team but did not receive adequate care after the falls.
Tampa-based lawyer Joseph Alvarez has filed the lawsuit in the 10th Judicial Circuit on behalf of Ali Roberts, who is claiming six counts of negligence against Southeastern cheerleading coach Krissa Wallsteadt, assistant athletic trainer Lana Olson and Southeastern University.
Alvarez says that Southeastern didn't properly train Wallsteadt and Olson on concussion protocols set up by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics when they failed to ensure treatment to a concussed student.
"The school is trying to suggest that she wasn't injured despite objective findings saying otherwise," Alvarez told The Ledger. "It's mind-blowing to me that the school is not doing anything. It's a complete reckless disregard for the safety of their students."
Southeastern Athletic Director Drew Watson and school public relations officer Dana Davis declined to comment.
In the lawsuit, Roberts says she fell on her head during a Sept. 1, 2016, team practice while performing an acrobatic maneuver. After the fall, Roberts was tended to by assistant coach Kim Henry.
In a deposition, Wallsteadt recalled that Roberts didn't show any signs of a possible concussion and that, after practice, she was driven home by Henry without seeing an athletic trainer or doctor.
Roberts was then cleared to return to the team by Olson, but she again fell on Oct. 20, "aggravating and compounding injury resulting in ongoing neuro-cognitive deficits," according to the suit.
In total, Alvarez says this was the fourth concussion in Roberts' life, and that the Southeastern University concussion policy states that after a third concussion in a lifetime, a referral to a doctor is required.
Alvarez also says there was an unsafe atmosphere even before Roberts' injuries.
In a 2016 email obtained by The Ledger, former cheerleader Victoria Leone said that nine cheerleaders had set up a meeting with Watson in December 2015 where they discussed problems they were having with Wallsteadt.
In the email sent to Southeastern University President Kent Ingle in March 2016, Leone said the cheerleaders told Watson of Wallsteadt's lack of concern for the team's safety, stating that they were forced to do certain stunts and tumbles despite being injured. Leone also stated in the email that Wallsteadt didn't respect the team, calling them "ugly," and "made them feel inadequate as far as appearance and worth."
In an email a few days later, Watson told Southeastern Executive Vice President Chris Owen that there were "blatant inaccuracies" in Leone's email and suggested that he and Owen meet with Leone to discuss the matter further.
Alvarez also states that there were several other cases of student athletes not being treated for concussions and were "either forced or encouraged to return to play without ever being evaluated or referred to a physician." Alavarez cites text messages from athletic trainers identifying cases where players weren't properly screened or were allowed to continue to play with concussions.