TUSD admits negligence in playground accident

The admission is noted in court records involving then-9-year-old Trevor Pahl, who fell about 5 feet from a slide during recess at Fruchthendler Elementary School, hitting the left side of his head, arm and wrist on a piece of cement embedded in the play area.

In a claim seeking $23 million from TUSD, Pahl’s mother, Danette, said rather than seeking medical attention, the school called her and she took Trevor to a hospital where it was discovered he suffered a broken wrist and a life-threatening injury to his head and brain.

Though TUSD now admits negligence, the case will still go to trial to determine the nature and extent of the injuries, losses and damages.

Before that disclosure was made, an eight-day jury trial had already been scheduled for May 2016 in Pima County Superior Court.

A recent safety audit showed as many as 80 percent of the district’s playgrounds had dangerous conditions.