$5,000 paid for injuries to Columbia student

The Columbia Public School District’s insurance company will pay a $5,000 settlement to Phil and Cheryl Mitchell, who filed a personal-injury lawsuit against the district.

According to court documents, the Mitchell’s son, Dylan Mitchell, was injured in June 2004 when he fell at West Junior High School.

The Mitchells alleged that Dylan significantly injured his right arm after tripping over a wrestling mat while moving furniture during a detention period. Court documents stated that the school district had been given notice that Dylan had previously suffered a knee injury that would limit his physical activity, and it was this previous injury that caused Dylan’s knee to collapse and him to trip.

The school district denied these allegations and admitted only that Dylan was participating in a locker cleaning while serving detention on June 7, 2004. According to court documents, Dylan’s mother, Cheryl, had given permission for him to participate in the cleaning.

Court documents indicate that Dylan has fully recovered from his injuries.