The damaging onslaught of negative publicity UCF and its Athletics Association have suffered while defending themselves against a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Ereck Plancher’s parents is not the institution’s only problem — a nearly $300,000 legal bill for the case is looming during a time when tuition is rising another 15 percent.
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As of last check, UCF Spokesman Grant Heston confirmed to KnightNews.com, “Total legal fees and costs spent on the Plancher case by UCF is $296,565.35.”
That number shouldn’t go up, Heston said, “Because UCFAA’s insurance company has recently assumed the cost of defense for UCF…”
In what appears to be an unprecedented move, the Plancher case will go to trial even though most similar situations involving the death of collegiate athletes nationwide had been settled out of court. Lawyers for Plancher’s family are seeking punitive damages in the millions from UCFAA’s insurance company. They contend UCF needs to be punished so future lives will be saved.
UCF has come under fire for refusing to release witness statements Plancher’s teammates gave a month or two after his death detailing his final moments during what some players described as a grueling workout. UCF initially described the workout as a short, non-taxing workout. UCF officials later backtracked and admitted it was more intense than originally announced, although they deny UCF did anything that caused Plancher’s death — and instead did all they could to save him.
UCF says it doesn’t have to release those witness statements because they are protected, legal work product and Circuit Judge Robert M. Evans agreed. However, some public records experts KnightNews.com contacted believe the statements should be made public and UCF would be forced to release them if that ruling were appealed.
UCF has disagreed with the judge on other rulings and filed appeals, but so far the Fifth District Court of Appeals has not intervened and pushed back the case, as UCF had requested.
Heston pointed out it’s possible the legal costs already incurred by the University may still be avoided. “We also anticipate that some, or all, of the amount previously spent by UCF will be reimbursed by the insurance company,” he said.
KnightNews.com will let you know if we hear an update from UCF regarding whether the insurance company issues an reimbursements, or if a deductible is required before that could happen.
Check back to KnightNews.com later this morning for live continuous coverage of jury selection in the wrongful death trial which is scheduled to begin by 10 a.m.
