Parents sue New York City over football death of son, 16

NEW YORK -- The parents of a 16-year-old New York City boy who died after collapsing during high school football practice last year have filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

Miles Kirkland's parents allege in court papers filed this month that the city, education officials and emergency workers failed to provide him adequate care. They claim a defibrillator wasn't readily available after their 6-foot-2-inch, 295-pound son fainted during practice at Curtis High School on Staten Island.

A city Law Department spokesman tells the Staten Island Advance that officials will review the suit.

The medical examiner ruled that Kirkland died of a heart muscle condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

But Kirkland's family says routine physicals never detected any problems.

The lawsuit was filed in state Supreme Court on Staten Island. It seeks unspecified damages.