Former Ripley basketball player sues school board, insurer over broken ankle

RIPLEY - A former Ripley High School basketball player is suing after he broke his ankle at practice.

Cody A. Miller filed a lawsuit on Nov. 14 in the Circuit Court of Jackson County against Security Life Insurance Co. of America and Jackson County Board of Education, citing negligence, breach of contract, bad faith and unfair trade practices.

The plaintiff says he was a student at Ripley High School and a member of the basketball team. On Nov. 14, 2011, he was required to attended basketball practice even though he was restricted from playing basketball due to a broken nose, according to the complaint.

Miller contends that while he was at practice, the coaches directed him to demonstrate a technique, and he was struck by a teammate and knocked to the floor, sustaining a broken ankle. The complaint states Jackson County Board of Education was negligent for allowing Miller to participate in practice while he had a broken nose and was restricted from activity.

Security Life Insurance has wrongfully refused to pay a majority of Miller's medical expenses as a result of the accident, according to the complaint.

Miller is seeking compensatory damages from Jackson County Board of Education, compensatory and punitive damages from Security Life Insurance Co., pre- and post-judgment interest and costs. He is being represented by attorney Brent K. Kesner of Kesner & Kesner PLLC.

Circuit Court of Jackson County Case No. 13-C-140