Woman sues over daughter's cheerleading injury

MARTINSBURG - A Berkeley County woman seeks $150,000 on behalf of her daughter, who was injured while practicing a routine at a cheerleading competition.

Patrice Alderton filed the lawsuit Feb. 20 on behalf of Renee Alderton. The suit names Cheer Quake All Stars Inc. as the defendant.

Cheer Quake is an organizer for cheerleading tournaments. Renee Alderton was invited to one of these tournaments, which took place at Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

On March 12, 2005, Alderton was at the college to participate in the competition when she was injured.

"(Alderton), while performing in a practice area, specifically designated as such for participants in the competition, was injured as a result of an unidentified individual crossing over the practice mat area directly into the path of (Alderton) as she was attempting a tumbling maneuver," the suit says.

She received permanent injuries to her head, neck and body. The suit says Cheer Quake has the duty to provide crowd control or security to prevent people from entering the practice area and causing injury to the participants.

The suit also says Alderton has suffered physical and emotional pain and suffering. Therefore, Patrice and Renee Alderton, through counsel David E. Furrer, seek $150,000 in compensation, plus interest.

The case has been assigned to Judge Gray Silver.

Berkeley Circuit Court case number 07-C-153