Lawsuit Over Eating Contest Death Settled By SHU, Victim's Family

FAIRFIELD, CT — Sacred Heart University will pay a settlement to the family of a student who died after choking on pancakes at a school-sanctioned eating contest, according to the Connecticut Post.

The details of the settlement are not being disclosed, according to the Post, which also reported the settlement includes a cross-complaint filed by Sacred Heart against food service provider Chartwell’s, demanding the company pay the university’s legal costs.

Caitlin Nelson, 20, died after participating March 30, 2017, in the on-campus charity event. Her family sued Sacred Heart on the grounds that the university approved a contest involving a food that is particularly dangerous to eat quickly and failed to have medical personnel on site.

"Moments after the contest began, Caitlin began struggling to breathe and police officers were called to provide emergency medical care," attorneys representing Nelson’s family said in a news release when the lawsuit was filed. "Responding officers described finding a mass of pancake paste 'like concrete' in Caitlin's airway, which was impossible to dislodge. Caitlin passed away three days later."

Sacred Heart previously denied any wrongdoing, and said that Nelson's death was caused by her own negligence.

Nelson, of Clark, New Jersey, was the daughter of a Port Authority police officer killed in 9/11. Her goal was to get a master's degree in social work and work with children suffering from serious illnesses. She was also involved with the Resiliency Center of Newtown, where she worked with children affected by the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.