ARENA ORDERED TO PAY FAMILY

The owners of Webster Bank Arena have been ordered to pay $200,000 to the family of an 8-year-old Wilton boy who fell out of the stands while trying to high five hockey players.

The Superior Court jury deliberated about three hours before finding Harbor Yard Sports and Entertainment negligent in causing the injuries to the son of David and Laure Friedman.

“We are grateful to the jury members for the attention and care they gave to our case,” said the Friedman’s lawyer, Christopher Mattei. “This was a sad case be- cause a child was seriously hurt by the defendant’s negligence. With its verdict, the jury sent a message that corporations that fail to take reasonable measures to protect children who they invite onto their premises will be held accountable in court.”

Lawyers for the arena owner did not immediately return calls for comment.

The boy, now 13, was attending a Sound Tigers hockey game at the arena on the evening of Nov. 16, 2013, according to the lawsuit.

Prior to the game, the boy was leaning on a railing in the spectator section adjacent to the players’ entrance in an effort to greet the players with high fives as they took the ice. But, the suit states, that the railing gave way and the boy fell five feet onto his head on the floor below.

The suit claims that as a result of the fall, the boy suffered a concussion and head trauma leading to cognitive deficits, post concussive syndrome and a “loss of his ability to carry on and enjoy all life’s activities.”

It states that he will need medical treatment in the future.