Hancock family says son injured roller skating in gym class

NEW CUMBERLAND -- A Hancock County family is suing over claims their son was injured while roller skating in gym class, after his parents declined to sign the permission slip allowing him to do so.

Logan Kranis, a minor, by and through his guardians and next friends, Robert and Cassandra Kranis, filed a lawsuit July 10 in Hancock Circuit Court against Hancock County Board of Education, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Logan was a student at Oak Glen Middle School during the week of Oct. 15, 2012, when the school sent permission slips home for parents to sign and pay a fee for their children to use roller skates in physical education classes at school. Robert and Cassandra Kranis say they chose not to sign the permission slip due to the risks involved, and Logan sat out until Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, when a teacher instructed Logan to skate.

The complaint states Logan was instructed to use a trash can for balance when it was apparent he was having difficulties, and he subsequently fell, broke his ankle and strained multiple ligaments. The defendants are accused of negligence and requiring Logan to participate in an activity he did not have permission to participate in.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages and attorney's fees. They are being represented in the case by attorneys Michael G. Simon and  of Frankovitch, Anetakis, Colantonio & Simon in Weirton. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James P. Mazzone.

Hancock Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-99