The family of now deceased 20-year-old US student Grant Brace is to receive Rs 115 crores in court settlement. According to reports, Grant Brace reportedly died of heat stroke, as his final moments saw him beg for some water on-campus. The heartbreaking incident dates to August 2020, when Grant Brace, was doing a “punishment practice” and suffered from dehydration and heat stroke, which led to his untimely death.
The University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky has reached a settlement of more than $14 million with the family of Grant Brace, a student wrestler who died of heat stroke after being denied water by his coach during a practice session.
Brace, who had been diagnosed with narcolepsy and ADHD, collapsed and died on August 31, 2020, following a grueling training session that required the team to sprint multiple times up and down a steep hill.
Despite begging for water and showing signs of physical distress, the coaches failed to provide Brace with the necessary assistance, including contacting medical personnel.
While the university believed it could have defended the claims made in the lawsuit, it chose to settle to show respect for the Brace family’s loss and to prioritize the safety of students and athletes.
The Facts of the Matter
University campuses can be grueling and demanding environments for students, particularly those involved in athletics. Despite the best efforts of institutions to provide a safe and secure environment, injuries and deaths can still occur, often due to negligence or inadequate safety measures.
In one such incident, a 20-year-old student died back in 2020 while doing “punishment practice” and suffering from dehydration and heat stroke. Heartbreaking reports have stated that the student begged for water, before collapsing and eventually passing away.
University Pays Rs 115 Crores to Grieving Family
Now, almost three years after the incident, the university has agreed to pay the student’s family over $14 million (Rs 115 crores) as a settlement. While the university said that it could have defended the allegations levelled on it, it chose to settle out of respect for the deceased student’s family.
20-Year-Old was Made to do “Punishment Hill”
Grant Brace, a wrestler at the University of the Cumberlands, died in August 2020 after participating in an on-campus workout. The lawsuit filed by Brace’s parents and sister alleges that the University of the Cumberlands and its wrestling coaches were negligent in the events leading up to their son’s death.
The incident occurred on the first day of practice ahead of the 2020-21 season. According to the lawsuit, Brace completed several sprints up “punishment hill” and started showing signs of heat stroke. He asked for water and said, “I feel like I am going to die.”
“After fleeing the wrestling room, Grant searched desperately for assistance and a source of water,” the lawsuit claimed.
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Family Attorney Calls Death “Inexcusable”
According to Brad Vines, an attorney for the family, was quoted in reports saying, “It is important to the family that the amount of this settlement be known so that coaches and educational institutions understand the weight of ignoring heat-related illnesses.”
Vines called Brace’s death “inexcusable” and emphasized that deaths from exertional heat strokes are 100% preventable.
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University Issues Statement
After settling, the university also issued a statement which read – “The University made the decision to settle the case now in a manner it hopes will respect the Brace family’s tremendous loss. It also added that it “welcomes the opportunity to work with the Brace family’s consultant to ensure it is providing the safest environment possible for student-athletes in all sports.”
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