CLAIM: Atlantic Christian Academy Of The Palm Beaches Ignored Young Children, Downplayed One Year Old’s Injury…
BY: LITIGATION DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The parents of a one year old who allegedly sustained a concussion at Atlantic Christian Academy in Palm Beach County is suing the school — claiming that children were unsupervised, that the school knew it had a staffing problem, and that its negligence left the little girl permanently scarred.
In the complaint obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, the parents say that they chose Atlantic Christian Academy of the Palm Beaches due to its, “safe, secure, nurturing, and enriching daycare environment.” But after four months, and a teacher leaving for an extended period of time with no replacement, the parents apparent found Atlantic Christian to be anything but a Godsend.
The problem started on the morning of January 20th, 2022. That’s when a girl identified as V.O. apparently slammed her head into a desk while running the classroom, unsupervised. She was taken to the nurse who called her parents, but allegedly underplayed the seriousness of the injury. The complaint picks up the narrative:
“When DAVID OTTEY walked out of the office to retrieve V. O. he noted that she was being walked up and down the corridor by the school nurse. DAVID OTTEY immediately saw the large knot with a cut on V. O.’s forehead. The nurse explained that she was walking V. O. as she started to become lethargie, and she didn’t want her to go to sleep with a head injury. This was a more concerning situation than was previously conveyed. If the school nurse was concerned about V. O. developing somnolence from her head injury, she should have summoned medical attention for her. DAVID OTTEY indicated that he was going to take her to the hospital for an evaluation and the school nurse agreed with his plan.
While in the process of placing V. O. in the car, however, DAVID OTTEY noticed that she had become unresponsive. He carried her back into the office and asked the school nurse for help. The nurse placed her on the floor and administered smelling salts and sternal rubbing and applied a wet cloth in hopes of getting V. O. to respond with some success. An ambulance was summoned and arrived shortly to take V. O. to the emergency department. En route, the paramedic attending to V. O. grew concerned about decreased responsiveness and requested that the driver turn on both lights and sirens to expedite their arrival to St. Mary’s Medical Center as a trauma alter patient. When she 4 stopped opening her eyes, the crew administered an ammonia inhalant which increased her alertness.
Once she arrived at St. Mary’s Medical Center, V. O. was met by the trauma service team as a trauma alert. She was noted to have a small hematoma on her forehead. Because she was witnessed by EMS to be less arousable enroute, V. O. underwent a CT of her head within minutes of her arrival. While the CT scan showed a left frontal scalp hematoma, thankfully no intracranial abnormalities were noted. V. O. was observed for a period of time and showed no additional signs of loss of consciousness. Ultimately, V. O. was discharged home later that afternoon with instructions that she be closely monitored for any changes in her clinical condition. While the neurological sequalae from this fall seem to have resolved, the scar and dimple on V. O.’s head have not. She continues to have a noticeable crease in her forward for more than a year following this fall. Unfortunately, this facial scar appears to be permanent.“
The suit alleges that the child suffered “bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, expensive hospitalization, medical care and treatment.” Attorneys seek in excess of $50,000 — the statutory minimum for filing in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. The plaintiffs are represented by Jack Hill of SearcyLaw. Atlantic Christian Academy had filed a response, processed by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts, as of mid-day Tuesday afternoon. The school is located at 4900 Summit Blvd. in West Palm Beach.
