ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Opening statements began on Wednesday afternoon for the trial on former UCF football player, Ereck Plancher.
READ: Plancher Family Lawsuit
The lead attorney for Ereck Plancher's parents, Steve Yerried, told the six-person jury that UCF Head Football Coach George O'leary, trainers and other football team staff knew about Plancher's sickle cell disease,but didn't do anything about it.
Yerrid said even though the school tested Plancher and the results were positive, the student-athlete was never told about it.
"The evidence is going to show that on the plaintiff's side that Ereck Plancher had no idea he had sickle trait," said Yerried
Plancher collapsed during a workout in 2008 at UCF while on an obstacle course inside the Nicholson Field house.
"It was a never before done obstacle course, an obstacle course that was 100 yards long," said Yerried.
Yerried said many problems were raised that day and jurors will hear about it.
"You will hear about the difficulty of this obstacle course, you will hear about the lack of trainers, you will hear about water being ordered out. In fact, being outside the field house, You'll hear about the trainers being ordered out," said Yerried.
If the family wins, the money paid out would be covered by the private insurance company that represents the association. It is a private entity that is funded primarily by donors, ticket sales and student fees.
Opening statements will wrap up around 7:30pm on Wednesday. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
Previous Stories: June 14, 2011: Jury Selection Continues In Plancher Trial June 13, 2011: Trial Over UCF Football Player's Death Begins