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Devon Walker’s Medical Expenses Are High
Posted on September 13, 2012 Written By: iadminlaw
Last Saturday, the life of Devon Walker, a defensive back for Tulane, changed forever. He broke his neck when he collided with a teammate in a game against Tulsa. Now he faces the biggest challenge of his life.
The outpouring of support – financial and emotional – for injured Tulane football player Devon Walker came moments after Walker hit the ground in Tulsa last Saturday after sustaining a neck-breaking accidental blow from a teammate.
Tulane players warming up for a game against Texas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A flurry of tweets flickered across cell phones and iPads after the collision. The concerned social networking increased as Walker remained motionless for more than 20 minutes as CPR was performed in front of a stunned stadium.
By that night, when it was clear Walker had sustained a fractured cervical spine (broken neck) and required surgery, Tulane officials thought about how to harness all the concerned support.
Sunday night a page on the Tulane’s website went up and garnered more than 80,000 hits, compared to the approximate 30,000 hits the university’s website receives in a day.
Four days later, more than $40,000 has been raised off of more than 250 donations on Tulane’s website’s page for Devon Walker. Capital One Bank has set up an account for the family, which can be accessed through the website.
In addition to the site, people all over the nation have written cards, emails, and requested contact with Walker and his family. Even members of Eric LeGrand’s family have reached out. LeGrand is a former Rutgers football player who broke his neck in 2010.
The donations are needed for the family expenses – the athletic department’s health insurance policy and the NCAA’s policy is expected to cover Walker’s medical care now and throughout the course of his rehabilitation.
The Times-Picayune did a story in 1990 about three football players who had suffered spinal cord injuries on the football field in the 1989 season and all three of their medical expenses were close to $1 million a year.
Walker’s medical care should be covered, but the family’s costs to care and support him aren’t.
No one knows that more than former Penn State football player Adam Taliaferro, who broke his neck in a game at Ohio State in 2000 and was paralyzed for several months.
He said his parents – like Devon’s – were not at the game. But the university arranged travel for his father.
Tulane hopes to rally the well-wishing nation to ease any potential financial burden for the Walker family as well.
The Uptown campus’ students are engaged in the effort as well. Seniors Brad Girson and Jesse Schwartz, who started their own clothing line as sophomores, have designed a T-shirt and wristband bearing Walker’s name and jersey number. All net proceeds will be donated to Walker’s fund. A link to purchase shirts is up on Walker’s page on Tulane’s website.
If you or a loved one were the victim of an accident that was caused by negligence or some other form of reckless behavior, it is important that you contact a committed and dedicated personal injury lawyer to help you decide if you should file a lawsuit. A competent and reputable injury lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
