Long Island Parents Sue School District After Son Contracts MRSA

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A couple on Long Island have filed a $12 million lawsuit against a school district, saying filthy conditions made their son sick.

Anthony Lucia was a sophomore at Rocky Point High School when he became sick with MRSA, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

Listen to Long Island Parents Sue School District After Son Contracts MRSA

Attorney Jon Ray said Lucia was a wrestler and filthy mats at the school were a breeding ground for the infection.

"Rocky Point failed to clean the mats. They had not been flipped over and cleaned in years. Not only he, but other students have contracted MRSA," Ray said.

The attorney said the infection began on Lucia's knee after a wrestling match.

"He was hospitalized for six days. He had to have an operation. The infection was spreading up into his lymph gland, that it was threatening his life," Ray said.

The school district told Newsday it does not comment on active litigation.