Paralyzed Texas Cheerleader Sues Nebraska Insurer

A former cheerleader from Texas who was paralyzed in a tumbling accident is suing a Nebraska-based insurance company that he says failed to pay his claim.

Scottsbluff attorney Maren Chaloupka filed a federal lawsuit against Mutual of Omaha on behalf of Wesley Patterson.

The lawsuit focuses on an insurance policy bought by Prairie View A&M University to cover its athletes. Patterson was a cheerleader at the Texas school in 2008 and was on school property when he was injured.

The Houston man alleges Mutual of Omaha reneged on a promise to cover serious injuries like his that result from the school’s negligence.

A spokesman for Mutual said he hadn’t seen the lawsuit and couldn’t immediately comment.

A Prairie View spokeswoman declined to comment.