Family of Soccer Player Sue for Wrongful Death

The family of a teenage boy who died after playing a game of soccer is now suing his doctor for wrongful death. Bryce Turner, 19, had visited his doctor recently but was not alerted of his heart problems at that time.

The family is now using a physical from 2006 that shows the doctor's knowledge of Turner's heart condition, a murmur, while still clearing him to play soccer for the Trinity High School team.

Dr. Carl D. Paige, who practices in La Grange, failed to tell the parents that their son had a thickening of the heart muscle, which "could be indicative of a life-threatening condition." He should have warned them about this condition as well as advised them to return in a year to do a follow-up. In 2006 the doctor faxed a note to Turner's father clearing the teenager for soccer practice without mentioning his findings.

Since the young Turner was unaware of his condition, he continued to play soccer at Trinity and then went on to play for Chapman University. On March 16, 2009, Turner collapsed on the field during an informal game.

The medical exam showed that he passed away because of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a thickening of the heart muscle. This is a well-known cause of death for some athletes.

If you are planning to file a wrongful death claim, it is advised that you work with a San Diego personal injury lawyer who can help.  Contact our law office today.