Family Sues Sacred Heart University Over Student’s Death

FAIRFIELD, CT — The family of a Sacred Heart University student who died tragically after choking during a competitive eating contest last year is suing the school. Caitlin Nelson, 20, choked while participating in an on-campus, school-sanctioned pancake-eating contest for charity on March 30, 2017, and died three days later. The family filed the lawsuit against Sacred Heart University on Monday and is seeking to raise awareness of the preventable dangers associated with amateur eating competitions, according to lawyers.

“Caitlin’s family is bringing this case to expose the dangers associated with amateur eating contests and to help prevent other families from having to endure this type of preventable tragedy,” Katie Mesner-Hage of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, which represents the family, said in a statement. “These contests are significantly more dangerous than people realize and it’s critically important for the public – especially educational institutions – to understand that certain foods are safer than others and a modicum of forethought can literally save lives.”

The lawsuit claims that Sacred Heart not only approved the contest and the use of pancakes, which the complaint says is a particularly dangerous food to eat quickly, but it also failed to have medical personnel on-site in the event a student started choking.

“Moments after the contest began, Caitlin began struggling to breathe and police officers were called to provide emergency medical care,” according to a news release. “Responding officers described finding a mass of pancake paste ‘like concrete’ in Caitlin’s airway, which was impossible to dislodge. Caitlin passed away three days later.”

Nelson, whose father was a Port Authority police officer killed on 9/11, planned to obtain a Master of Social Work upon graduating from Sacred Heart. Her goal was to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and work within the medical field, specifically with children suffering from serious illnesses, according to the release. Nelson also devoted her time to the Resiliency Center of Newtown, working with children affected by the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

See also: After SHU Student Dies Tragically, Sorority Sisters Carry On Her Charity Mission

“There have been several fatalities from amateur eating contests, many of which are caused by inexperience, inadequate safety measures and the use of unsafe foods,” the news release states. “In fact, on the same day that Caitlin Nelson passed away, a 42-year-old man in Colorado died of ‘asphyxia, due to obstruction of the airway’ after trying to eat a half-pound donut in 80 seconds as part of a contest.

“As detailed in the Connecticut Superior Court complaint filed today, research has shown that certain foods such as ice cream and whipped cream present nearly zero risk of choking because the food will melt before it can obstruct a person’s airway. In bringing the suit, the family seeks to increase awareness of how best to prevent fatalities caused by eating contests.”

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