Romanucci & Blandin Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Parents of Maine West High School Student for Acts of Battery, Sexual Assault

CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The mother of 14-year-old boy today held a news conference to announce the family has filed a lawsuit (Case No. 2012L013081) against school officials and former coaches at Maine West High School in Des Plaines for allowing acts of hazing to occur, including assault, battery and sexual assault.

The news conference was held in the office of the woman's attorney, Antonio M. Romanucci, a principal in Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, at 33 N. LaSalle St., Chicago.

The boy, who began attending Maine West in August 2012, joined the boys soccer team. Shortly after a practice session, team members performed what is now known to be a longstanding tradition of hazing by pushing, shoving and holding down the boy, tearing off his underwear and sodomizing him. The boy sustained serious injuries and suffered severe emotional distress.

The two coaches (Emilio Rodriguez and Michael Divincenzo), who witnessed and allowed the assault, have been put on paid leave and face further disciplinary action. Staff members Ken Wallace and Audrey Haugan are named in the suit for failing to properly supervise the coaches, faculty and staff.

The family's lawyer Antonio Romanucci claims that the acts constituted a violation of the Illinois bullying prevention statute, and is asking for damages to cover the physical pain and emotional stress inflicted on the boy and injunctive relief to prevent this conduct from ever occurring again.

Romanucci & Blandin, considered one of Illinois' top plaintiff's personal injury and civil trial practice law firms, represents individuals and their families in catastrophic personal injury matters, wrongful death and workers' compensation cases. The firm has won more than $200 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of their clients. Further information is available at www.rblaw.net or by calling (312) 458-1000.

SOURCE Romanucci & Blandin, LLC