Ohio University sued by student burned during wilderness trip

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio University failed to protect a student who had an epileptic seizure and fell face-first into a fire while on a wilderness trip, according to a lawsuit filed by the student’s parents.

The school is responsible for the severe burns to Christopher Mance’s face, arms and hands because officials knew about the student’s history of epilepsy and did nothing to protect his health and safety, the family alleges in the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the Ohio Court of Claims.

Mance was a 21-year-old senior when he went on a wilderness survival trip in 2006 that was required for his recreation class.

Mance, whose goal was to become a wilderness educator, deserves compensation for his emotional distress, lost wages and future medical expenses, estimated to cost up to $300,000, the lawsuit said.

Officials with Ohio University, located in Athens, about 60 miles southeast of Columbus, issued a statement on the lawsuit.

“Everyone here has a deep compassion for the young man’s situation resulting from his accident. The facts in cases of this sort, however, are always more complex than they seem on the surface,” the statement said.

Mance noted his history of epilepsy on a medical form required for the trip, his attorney said.