West Hartford Agrees to Record $20 Million Settlement in School Death

Romeo Pierre Louis collapsed at Charter Oak International Academy on April 5, 2022. His parents filed suit alleging that the tragedy was preventable and stemmed directly from a failure by school personnel to properly monitor the playground. The case was resolved through mediation shortly before a jury trial was set to begin.

Joaquin Madry of Slager Madry LLC, who represented the family alongside Paul Slager, Nicole Coates, and Michael Chambers Jr., argued that the incident highlights a critical need for stricter safety protocols. Madry emphasized that playground supervision requires the same level of diligence and policy enforcement applied to all other areas of student care. Paul Slager noted that while the settlement reflects the immense gravity of the loss, it does not constitute a victory, as the focus remains on the preventable nature of the child's death. The legal team hopes the outcome will prompt school districts across the state to reevaluate how they manage recess monitoring and staff visibility.