$9M Wrongful Death from Exertional Heat Stroke

15-Year-Old Cristian Navarro’s Death From EHS Was Preventable

The temperature was a stifling 103 degrees on the first day of Patriot High’s football practice, of which Cristian Navarro was a participant. It was undoubtedly a sweltering temperature for sports and ultimately led to the tragic wrongful death of Cristian Navarro.

Practice consisted of conditioning drills like “suicides” and sprints in the hot weather. The field had no areas of shade and no sources of cold drinking water.

Cristian’s coaches ordered him to finish the intense training session despite the punishing heat. They also failed to provide adequate hydration, claiming COVID-19 protocols prevented them from doing so, despite JUSD representatives confirming no such protocols existed.

At the training session’s conclusion, Cristian lay down and told coaches he was “tired.” Cristian required assistance to rise, as he could not stand on his own, and he could not answer questions about his age or name.

High School Coaches’ Negligence and Inappropriate Conduct

His coaches neither attempted to cool him down, place him in the shade, or provide him adequate hydration. They did not observe basic health protocols like checking his pulse. Instead of calling emergency medical services, they wasted valuable time and only called his mother.

By the time she arrived, Cristian was unresponsive and slipping in and out of lucidity. As his condition deteriorated quickly, his parents called an ambulance. Upon arriving, Cristian would never leave the hospital.

April 22, 2022

Los Angeles publication LATACO.com shared Cristian’s story with their audience.

Update: On March 1, 2022, Adamson Ahdoot LLP Secured a $9 Million Wrongful Death Settlement for Cristian Navarro’s Family

March 31, 2022

Adamson Ahdoot LLP is proud to announce a completed settlement for the Navarro family of $9 million.

February 5, 2022

Although Exertional heatstroke is highly preventable, it is still the leading cause of death among Student-Athletes.

February 11, 2022

The wrongful death of Cristian Navarro from Exertional Heat Stroke at the hands of his school is a cautionary tale about the dangers of heat illness and its epidemic spread in high school sports.

To read the full complaint, go to Navarro Case Complaint.