Teen Sues Softball Coach for Sliding Injury

A high school softball player is suing the city, claiming she broke her ankle because her coach never taught her how to slide properly. 15-year-old Alina Cerda says she has not been playing for seven months due to her injury and wants the New York City Education Department and the Francis Lewis High School softball coach to be held accountable.

The lawsuit was filed by Alina’s personal injury lawyer in New York State Supreme Court, Queens county. It states that Alina needed six screws and a metal plate to fuse the ankle she broke while sliding on a muddy day during a practice. Alina missed her freshman season due to the injury.

Her personal injury lawyer states that the coach was not supervising the sliding drill and had some of the team’s experienced players teaching the new players how to do it. Alina’s ankle twisted when her cleat got caught in the mud. She has been going to physical therapy to regain the strength and flexibility so she can play this upcoming Spring.