Family Sues Archdiocese After Injured Teen Was Benched, Not Treated, Coach Says

A New York family has filed a civil lawsuit in Dutchess County Supreme Court against Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, the Archdiocese of New York, and a former soccer coach, alleging that school officials failed to supervise students during a Sept. 19, 2025, athletic event in which their minor son was physically injured by a teammate. The complaint further alleges that the injured student - not the aggressor - was the one punished in the aftermath.

According to the complaint, filed by S.O. on behalf of his minor child, identified as L.O., a teammate grabbed L.O. and slammed him onto concrete during a period before a match, causing abrasions to his arm, back and hip. The filing states the coach was not present at the time of the altercation. When the coach subsequently questioned the team, he did not speak with L.O. separately from the other player, and the complaint alleges he did not ask whether L.O. was injured or assess him for harm, despite being informed that he had been hurt. The coach instead focused on a remark L.O. made - described in the complaint as a retaliatory comparison rather than an unprompted slur - interpreted it as a racial slur, ordered L.O. to wear his jersey inside out, and benched him for the remainder of warmups and the game.

The coach was subsequently terminated by the school, a decision the complaint states was made solely by the school and/or the Archdiocese. L.O. and his family did not seek the termination, according to the filing, and the lawsuit alleges that following the dismissal, the family became the target of hostility from teammates, parents, and other coaches. The complaint asserts a single cause of action - negligent supervision - alleging that all three defendants had a legal duty to ensure adult oversight of students during the athletic event and breached that duty by failing to provide it.

The family is seeking damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, psychological harm, humiliation, property damage, and related monetary losses. Attorney Kimberly Lau of Offit Kurman, who represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement: "Context matters. A child was hurt on school grounds during a time when supervision was required. We hope that the school can work with the family to restore a positive school environment for him and ensure all students are protected in the future." Our Lady of Lourdes High School and the Archdiocese of New York have not issued public responses to the lawsuit. The allegations have not been proven in court.