Mom blames football helmet over high school player's death

FILE - This Aug. 4, 2012 file photo shows new football helmets that were given to a group of youth football players from the Akron Parents Pee Wee Football League, in Akron, Ohio. It's not just football. A new report says too little is known about concussion risks for young athletes, and it's not clear whether better headgear is an answer. The panel stresses wearing proper safety equipment. But it finds little evidence that current helmet designs, face masks and other gear really prevent concussions, as ads often claim. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

The mother of a high school football player who died after collapsing during a game in Riverside County says the helmet the boy was wearing is to blame for his death.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise (http://bit.ly/1Gm35Mf ) reported Tuesday that Tina York is suing Riddell, the company that made the helmet, and subsidiary Gunther's Athletic Service, which reconditioned it.

York's lawyer, Patricia Law, said 16-year-old Tyler Lewellen had swelling of his brain despite suffering only a glancing hit during a play.

The suit says the firms had reason to know the helmet was defective but failed to warn anybody.

Lewellen attended Arlington High School in Riverside. He collapsed in August 2013 and died.

Riddell says the company does not comment on pending litigation. No one answered the phone at Gunther's office in Anaheim.