by Studio City, California — The parents of a 15-year-old boy who was killed in a parking lot crash at a private school in Studio City have filed a lawsuit, alleging that school officials ignored repeated safety warnings and failed to protect students from known traffic hazards.
The lawsuit stems from the death of Cosmo Silverman, who was fatally injured on June 4, the final day of his freshman year at Campbell Hall.
Fatal crash occurred during student pickup
According to the lawsuit, the incident happened just after 3 p.m. as students were leaving campus. Silverman was walking between vehicles in the school’s parking lot when he was struck by a Rivian SUV, which suddenly moved forward.
The impact pinned the teenager between the Rivian and a Volvo SUV parked in front, causing catastrophic injuries.
Paramedics rushed Silverman and his father — who witnessed the crash — to the hospital, but the teen later died from his injuries, court documents state.
Multiple people injured in chaotic scene
In addition to Silverman’s death, the crash also injured two other students and three adults, though officials said those injuries were non-life-threatening.
The lawsuit describes the parking lot at dismissal time as congested and chaotic, with students forced to walk through active vehicle lanes.
Parents allege school ignored known safety risks
Silverman’s parents allege that Campbell Hall was aware of longstanding parking lot dangers but failed to take corrective action despite repeated complaints.
According to the complaint, the school:
- Did not have an established crosswalk
- Required students to walk between moving vehicles daily
- Failed to adequately separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic
The suit further claims that staff members typically assigned to direct traffic were not present in the parking lot on the day of the fatal crash.
Attorney calls death “preventable”
The family is represented by attorney Robert Glassman, who said the tragedy could have been avoided with basic safety measures.
“What you had was a bunch of kids without adult supervision, who were forced to walk in between moving traffic,” Glassman said. “People were complaining to the school saying, ‘This isn’t safe, this is dangerous, change it,’ and they didn’t listen. They didn’t take it seriously. This was a preventable tragedy.”
Glassman alleges the school was not in compliance with regulations governing school parking lots and that attempts to resolve the issue through the school’s insurance provider failed after responsibility was denied.
Safety changes made after student’s death
According to the lawsuit, several safety improvements were implemented only after Silverman’s death, including:
- Installation of a marked crosswalk
- Addition of a fence along the pickup line
- Placement of a stop sign in front of the pedestrian walking path
Read Also: Colorado Hiker Dies in Suspected Mountain Lion Encounter, First in 25 Years
The family argues that had these measures been in place earlier, the fatal crash may not have occurred.
Lawsuit aims to hold schools accountable statewide
Beyond seeking accountability for their son’s death, the lawsuit is intended to send a broader warning to schools across California, the family’s attorney said.
“This is a wake-up call to every school up and down the state of California,” Glassman said. “If parents are complaining about something at the school, do something about it before a child gets killed.”
Case moves forward amid unanswered questions
Campbell Hall has not publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of publication. The legal action seeks damages and alleges negligence in failing to provide a safe environment for students during dismissal.
As the case proceeds, it raises renewed concerns about student safety during school pickup and drop-off, particularly at campuses with heavy vehicle traffic.
Do you think schools are doing enough to protect students during pickup and dismissal times? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.
