The family of a 15-year-old boy who died after being pinned between two cars in the parking lot of his Studio City school has announced they are taking legal action.
Relatives of Cosmo Silverman are suing Campbell Hall for the teen’s June 5 death. Silverman, who had just finished his freshman year at the high school, was between two vehicles as he was walking toward his father’s car when one of the vehicles moved forward, pinning him.
According to the lawsuit, the school’s parking lot is unsafe and had been flagged by previous complaints.
“We’ve done quite extensive investigation into how something like this could have happened, this unthinkable tragedy,” said Robert Glassman, the family’s attorney. “And unfortunately, what we’ve discovered is that the design of this parking lot was in fact very dangerous and was not compliant with California standards and regulations.”
Silverman’s death occurred after school in the pickup zone of the school’s parking lot. He was taken to the trauma center of Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles in grave condition and succumbed to his injuries.
“Unfortunately, the Campbell Hall parking lot in particular was designed initially in such a way that it put kids in direct conflict with vehicles, and that’s something that you’re never ever supposed to do,” Glassman said. “California regulations and standards exist for this reason.”
According to the attorney, the school made changes to its parking lot in the wake of Silverman’s death. He added that the Silvermans have resolved their claim with the driver of the Rivian SUV that hit Cosmo, but have been unable to resolve what they see as the school’s liability.
The school declined to comment on the lawsuit.