Chain | Cohn | Clark represents family of boy who collapsed, died in Delano school

Thirteen-year-old Jose Manuel Beltran was participating in physical education class on Jan. 26 at his school’s gymnasium in Delano when he collapsed.

Moments later, the eighth-grader was pronounced dead.

How and why exactly are just some of the questions that the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark will figure out for the family of Jose Manuel Beltran. The law firm is representing the family in a potential wrongful death lawsuit against the Delano Union School District.

Chain | Cohn | Clark attorney Neil Gehlawat spoke with The Bakersfield Californian recently regarding Jose’s death, and the questions that remain four months after his death. In the article, which appeared on the front page of the May 17 edition of The Bakersfield Californian, he stated:

“We need more information at this point … Was Jose given medical assistance? If so, was it timely? If there was a significant delay, did that delay in treatment cause his death?”

He added:

“Our approach is not to file a lawsuit no matter what. Our approach is to get more information.” 

The questions relate to how the emergency call was handled following Jose’s collapse, and the how much time elapsed between that call and arrival of first responders. Records show that the initial 911 call was routed to Canada before being transferred to Kern County Fire Department communications center. Additionally, there appears to be a delay in district medical personnel responding to attend to Jose, who was said to by “facing down, his back towards the sky” when a district nurse arrived to attend to him, The Californian reported.

In order to establish liability in a wrongful death action, a plaintiff must show that the death was caused by the negligence or unlawful conduct of the defendant.

The family has been devastated by the loss of their son, and they’re looking for the facts, Gehlawat told The Californian.

“I think when a parent has lost a child in such a tragic fashion, I think at the very least, they should get the reports …  We should have time stamps showing when the 911 call was made.”

As of now, many of the questions remain unanswered. But Chain | Cohn | Clark is committed to finding the answers for the family of Jose Manuel Beltran. 

• Boy dies after collapsing in Delano gym class (BakersfieldNow.com)

* Editor’s Note: Neil Gehlawat is no longer an attorney with Chain | Cohn | Clark *

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If you or someone you know has been injured due to the fault of another, contact the Bakersfield personal injury or workers’ compensation attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark at 661-323-4000, or visit the website.