ORLANDO, Fla.,None — Jurors in the trial for a wrongful death lawsuit of a former football player against the University of Central Florida reached a verdict late Thursday night.
After nearly a three-week-long trial, and more than four hours of deliberations, the jury found UCF negligent in the death of Ereck Plancher.
The jury awarded Plancher's parents $10 million for emotional pain and suffering.
"The system of justice works. That Ereck Plancher's death can not be restored... excuse me, can not be addressed, with the restoration of life, but certainly all those college football players out there who have parents may not have to suffer what these parents went through," said the Plancher's family attorney, Steve Yerried, just moments after the verdict.
During closing arguments in the trial, Yerried, told the jury why its decision is so important.
Yerried reminded jurors that Plancher tested positive for sickle cell trait, and said trainers and coaches did not help the player soon enough when he collapsed inside the football practice field on March 18, 2008.
"You're the spark plug. You are the spark plug that fires the engine of justice," said Yerried.
Plancher's parents sued the UCF Athletics Association for millions of dollars, claiming negligence. They think coaches and trainers could have done more to help save their son's life.
During the trial, one conflicting fact is whether Plancher was ever told he tested positive for sickle cell trait.
On Thursday, head football trainer Mary Vander Heiden testified, but her own testimony seemed to flip-flop regarding whether she told Plancher about the results.
"I can't say with certainty that yes I did, or no I didn't," Vander Heiden later said.
UCF President John Hitt was in the courtroom on Thursday and didn't show any emotion during closing arguments.
"The message must be sent, not to all of college football. It must be sent to them. So, that all of college football will know your message," said Yerried.
Attorney's for the athletics association said they'll appeal the decision.
Clearly justice wasn't done today. Were disappointed in the decision and we think it was incorrect, said UCF attorney Grant Heston.
The Plancher family originally asked for $1 million a year for the rest of their lives, but the jury awarded them $5 million each.
Previous Stories: June 30, 2011: Jury Deliberates In Player's Wrongful Death Trial June 30, 2011: Closing Arguments Begin In Player's Death Trial June 29, 2011: Damaging Testimony Threatens Player's Wrongful Death Trial June 29, 2011: Med. Examiner: Sickle Cell Not Cause Of UCF Player's Death June 28, 2011: UCF Player's Testify In Wrongful Death Trial June 28, 2011: UCF Player Contradicts Testimony In Death Trial June 28, 2011: Plancher's Parents Testify In UCF Death Trial June 27, 2011: Jurors Tour UCF Complex In Player's Death Trial June 24, 2011: Doctor Testifies In UCF Player's Death Trial June 24, 2011: Trainer Testifies In UCF Wrongful Death Trial June 23, 2011: Coach Testifies In UCF Player's Death Trial June 23, 2011: UCF Coach O'Leary Takes The Stand In Plancher Trial June 22, 2011: Coach In UCF Player's Death Case In Court June 22, 2011: Med. Examiner Testifies In UCF Wrongful Death Trial June 21, 2011: UCF Trial Judge Warns Attorneys Of Possible Sanctions June 21, 2011: Judge Scolds Lawyers In UCF Player Death Trial June 20, 2011: Ex-UCF Player Testifies O'Leary Withheld Water