Parsippany Schools Sued by Family for Negligence in Student's Gym Injury

The Parsippany school district, board of education, a physical education teacher and the township itself is being sued by a parent who claims negligent acts led to the severe breaking of her daughter’s ankle during gym class that could impact her for the rest of her life.

In a suit filed by Kathy Morgan, the Parsippany mother claims her daughter, Kaileigh, a student at Brooklawn Middle School, was playing on long, wet grass during a touch football game in gym class, according to nj.com.

Morgan, a seventh-grader, slipped while being chased by a classmate, shattering her ankle on Oct. 24, 2013. Morgan broke her left ankle, requiring surgery and the insertion of plates and screws in her foot, the report said. She is no longer on crutches, but is now walking slowly and with a limp, the report said.

The suit alleges school officials “knew or should have known” that the conditions could lead to an injury, the report said. The Morgan’s attorney, Christopher Musmanno, said the 13-year-old won’t be able to run or do anything physical for the rest of her life, the report said.

The gym teacher overseeing the class at the time, also named a defendant, is Lauren Satch. Parsippany Township was named as a defendant because it was allegedly responsible for cutting the grass at the school, though township attorney John Inglesino said that is not the case, according to the report.