Trumbull Settles Lawsuit In Injured Cheerleader Case

TRUMBULL, CT — The Town of Trumbull agreed to split paying for a settlement after a Trumbull High School cheerleader sustained a head injury during a practice.

Kristen Galuardi was a senior during 2014 and took part in a practice at the Gymnastics and Cheerleading Academy of CT. The lawsuit alleged that Galuardi and others were required to practice students without the spotting assistance of coaches.

The town split the settlement cost with the Gymnastics and Cheerleading Academy of Fairfield, according to the Hearst Connecticut. The settlement figure wasn't disclosed.

During one stunt Galuardi was propelled into the air, but one of the base cheerleaders slipped and fell and Galuardi landed head first into the mat. She lost consciousness and sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Then-Trumbull cheerleading director Jane Marella didn't contact Galuardi's parents or properly assess her condition and had her stay at the facility for the rest of the session, according to the lawsuit. Marella was also director of the academy.

Galuardi missed significant time from her senior year and altered her post-graduation plans due to her neurological damage.