Apr 4, 2006 12:08 am US/Central
Family Files Lawsuit After Student Athlete's Death
Lawsuit Alleges Nearby Defibrillator Wasn't Used
by Joanie Lum
OAK LAWN (CBS) ―
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Michael and Ramona Duran
CBS
A family in the Southwest Suburbs has filed a wrongful death lawsuit for their teenage son who died playing baseball.
The family believes a nearby defibrillator could have saved his life, but was not used.
In an exclusive interview, the teen's parents tell CBS 2's Joanie Lum they don't want this tragedy to happen to anyone else.
Michael Duran has walked into his son's bedroom only a few times since 14-year-old Dominic died last year.
It is still decorated with the many ribbons and trophies Dominic earned in football, basketball and baseball.
The pain of losing a son has not subsided.
"It's just all the memories with him, the fun times with him and everything else," Michael said.
On April 4, 2005, Dominic collapsed on the baseball field during practice from an undiscovered heart condition. The family attorney says there was lifesaving equipment in the concession stand nearby, but it was never used.
"If the Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, had been used, Dominic would have a substantial chance of survival," attorney William Wojcik said.
It was later learned Dominic had ischemic cardiomyopathy, a congenital condition.
He was in a coma for 10 days, then passed away.
The lawsuit alleges an ambulance was delayed in getting to Dominic because a padlock was on the gate to the field. It also alleges that it took 15 minutes to transport Dominic to the hospital, which is located across the street.
The Durans hope their lawsuit will raise awareness about defibrillators.
"If they would have used that machine, there might have been a chance for him to survive," Dominic's mother Ramona said.
The Durans say they'll feel better about their son's death if someone else's life can be saved.
An Oak Lawn High School principal declined to comment on the lawsuit.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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