Bearspaw student strangled by lanyard prompts $17M lawsuit

A multimillion-dollar lawsuit has been launched by the parents of a student who almost died after being strangled by a lanyard at his school in Bearspaw just west of Calgary.

• Grade 3 student accidentally choked by his lanyard

A court document obtained by CBC alleges those involved failed to provide a break-away lanyard or implement a buddy system for students going to the washroom factors that the suit suggests could have prevented such a serious injury.

The document also outlines the extent of the boy's injuries.

"As a result of the injuries sustained by Nicholas Kitzul, he will be unable to lead a normal life and will not be able to engage in many of the aspects that comprise a normal, youthful and happy life," the documentstates.

Kamila and GrantKitzulare suing for more than $17 million.

Nicholas Kitzul was eight years old when his teacher gave him a lanyard to sign out of class to use the washroom in December2012.

The lawsuit claims thatanother child discovered the Grade 3student about four minutes laterhanging by the lanyard,which was around his neck.

It states the cord had become caught on a washroom cubicle door.

The child was rushed to hospital. He spent four months there, including a week in the ICU with a breathing tube.

The statement of claim explains Nicholas suffered a severe brain injury.

The boy is now tube-fed, wheelchair-bound, unable to speak or communicateand has to wear diapers.

"The action was caused solely due to the negligence of the defendants," reads the document.

None of the allegations have been proven in court and a statement of defence hasn't yet been filed.