Attorneys in Illinois have filed a lawsuit on behalf of high school track athlete Dylan Wescott, alleging Sterling Park District, Sterling High School, and Rock Falls High School all failed to address known safety hazards that ultimately led to the Wescott’s life-altering injuries.
Wescott was paralyzed during warmups for the triple jump event in March 2025, when he tripped on uneven sand in the triple jump pit and collided head-first into a nearby wall. The impact caused catastrophic spinal injuries, which left Wescott paralyzed.
According to WHBF, which obtained a copy of the lawsuit, despite prior knowledge of the dangerous layout of the triple jump pit, which was in violation of applicable safety standards, no corrective action was taken by the defendants responsible for the facility’s design, maintenance, and oversight during track and field events.
The lawsuit alleges that the triple jump was located less than five feet from a wall, despite the NFHS and Illinois High School Association having updated their safety standards in 2020 to require longer and safer pit designs. Attorneys allege that the pit’s proximity to the wall and other dangerous obstructions, the failure to properly maintain the landing surface, and the inadequate protective measures were all well-known risks that had been ignored.
“The dangers associated with this facility were not hypothetical. The risks were visible, repeated, and completely preventable,” said Partner Craig Brown of Meyers & Flowers. “Our client is now left to deal with a life-altering injury because the responsible parties chose to do nothing.”
Attorney James McPhedran of Meyers & Flowers emphasized the broader implications of the case: “This isn’t just about one facility or one track meet. It underscores the duty that schools and park districts have to protect the safety of the young people who depend on them. Ignoring clear safety standards can never become an acceptable practice.”
“Athletes, coaches, and parents have the right to expect that athletic facilities comply with established safety standards governing their use.,” said attorney Christopher Warmbold. “Our firm is dedicated to ensuring these institutions are held accountable so that preventable incidents like this do not occur in the future.”
Wescott broke the C-7 vertebra in his neck, and a couple others were pressed against his spinal cord, resulting in paralysis from his chest down.
