On the heels of a $12m settlement arising from the death of a high school football player, Feldman Shepherd Launches ‘Raising Awareness for Isaiah’ Campaign to Protect Student Athletes Who Carry the Sickle Cell Trait

After securing a $12 million settlement from the insurer for a local high school in a claim arising from the death of a 17-year-old star athlete, Mark W. Tanner, Co-Managing Partner of Plaintiffs’ personal injury law firm Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock Dodig LLP, is pleased to announce the launch of a public safety campaign in the Philadelphia region to raise awareness and educate high school athletic directors, trainers, coaches, parents, and athletes as to how to address and mitigate the serious health risks posed to student athletes who are Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) carriers.

The “Raising Awareness for Isaiah” campaign is launched in memory of Isaiah Turner, a 17-year-old star football player at La Salle College High School, who died on September 4, 2020, shortly after experiencing the warning signs of an exertional sickle cell crisis during a preseason practice. Although Isaiah’s mother had informed the high school in writing for three consecutive years that Isaiah was a carrier of the Sickle Cell Trait, the school’s athletic and medical staff remained uninformed of the deadly risk that the SCT can pose to student athletes if proper precautions are not taken, and staff failed to recognize that Isaiah’s symptoms required an emergency response.

Tanner represented Isaiah’s family in a lawsuit against La Salle College High School.

The Sickle Cell Trait Explained

The Sickle Cell Trait is an inherited blood disorder which can result in the “sickling” of red blood cells. Though it impacts persons of all ethnicities, it is most prevalent in people of color, affecting up to one in every 11 individuals. In most cases there are no symptoms until or unless an acute crisis arises, typically due to the combination of heat and exertion. Accordingly, the SCT presents particular risks to athletes and otherwise physically active individuals. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the athlete’s body. During the intense exercise that is common in student athletics, the red blood cells of SCT-carriers can change shape and physically sickle, becoming rigid and incapable of effectively carrying oxygen. This condition can lead to muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) and organ damage, ultimately resulting in death. The early warning signs of such a crisis include cramping, pain, weakness and fatigue.

It is important for high school coaches and athletic programs to be aware of SCT-carriers and to have staff training and Emergency Action Plans in place for preventing and managing a potential crisis.

The “Raising Awareness for Isaiah” campaign will send an information pamphlet to athletic directors of every high school in the Philadelphia region, providing them with life-saving information on the Sickle Cell Trait, the unfortunate lessons learned from the death of Isaiah and other athletes, and a list of references and best practices so that they and their staffs can become better educated on the SCT. references and best practices so that they and their staffs can become better educated on the SCT. The campaign also will make information available on its Raising Awareness for Isaiah website.

“By all accounts, Isaiah Turner was a wonderful young man. He was a gifted athlete, talented in the classroom, and a much-loved friend, teammate, son, and brother. Tragically, he was also one of the latest in a long line of athletes — particularly football players — who died unnecessarily due to a very preventable and treatable condition. The primary way to combat these unnecessary deaths is through information and awareness, and we intend to honor Isaiah’s memory through educational efforts in hopes that no other young athlete meets a similar fate,” Tanner said.