Seattle Sports Litigation Law Firm Speaks Out Following Fatal Mercer Island Youth Lacrosse Injury
SEATTLE – On June 1, 2026, the promising life of Eliot Abramson a 16-year-old Mercer Island High School star athlete was cut short after he was struck by the ball during play, and attorneys at Hagens Berman are speaking out about the undue risks faced by student athletes due to lack of oversight and safety measures to protect against head injuries and concussions.
According to the Mercer Island School District, Eliot was injured during a college lacrosse recruiting event when a lacrosse ball struck his neck, below his helmet, after which he lost consciousness. Eliot was rushed to Harborview Medical Center where he was surrounded by loved ones before succumbing to his injuries on June 7, 2026.
“Too many times our firm has witnessed the tragedy of harm befalling an athlete due to negligence, lack of safety oversight, improper instruction, lack of concussion management and other blatant failures to protect the lives of players on the field,” said Steve Berman. “Athletes like Eliot deserve better protection.”
Hagens Berman’s sports litigation team has pursued concussion cases in the areas of youth football, U.S. Water Polo, the NFL, FIFA and U.S. Soccer, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Pop Warner, the nation's largest youth football, cheerleading and dance program.
The firm’s successes include a settlement valued at $75 million that brought medical monitoring and injunctive relief in the form of changes to concussion management and return-to-play guidelines for college athletes. The firm also filed lawsuits on behalf of several individual victims of concussions at NCAA-sanctioned universities alleging the institutions neglect to protect college-athletes from concussions and their aftermath.
Additionally, Hagens Berman’s lawsuit regarding youth soccer successfully ended heading for soccer’s youngest players and bringing sweeping safety changes to millions across the nation.
The firm’s legal team is experienced in expert analysis of safety protocols and sports equipment including National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) endorsements and the design of safety gear including helmets and padding.
“Our sports litigation team is reviewing the details of this incident to learn more information about the circumstances and hope to do everything in our power to continue to improve the safety and conditions of sports for all athletes,” Berman said. “Our hearts are broken for Eliot’s family and our community. As the coach of Mercer Island youth sports, protecting our most vulnerable players through equipment, policies and safety practices is paramount.”
# # #
About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm's determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of "Most Feared Plaintiff's Firm," MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Media Contact
Ash Klann
[email protected]
206-268-9363
