Family of Dead Player Files Claim

Taking what may be the first step toward a lawsuit, the family of a Reseda High School football player who died of head injuries after a game filed a claim Wednesday against the Los Angeles school system for unspecified damages.

The claim by the family of Eric Hoggatt accuses several parties of contributing to his death, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Los Angeles Board of Education, Reseda High and Principal Robert Kladifko, three football coaches and the team physician.

California law requires that those with legal disputes against government agencies first file a claim for damages. If the claim is denied, they can then sue.

Martha Woliung, the Hoggatt family’s attorney, said that if the school district “does not respond appropriately,” a lawsuit will be filed in Superior Court.

Hoggatt, 18, of South-Central Los Angeles, died in his sleep after a game last month. The coroner’s office declared that he had suffered bleeding in his brain that was probably caused by being hit during the game.

His family has complained that they were not notified that he was taken out of the game after complaining of numbness and dizziness, according to teammates.

The family has contended that if they had known that, they could have monitored his condition and perhaps sought medical care that would have saved his life.