In a significant development shaking the collegiate sports world, the family of Devin Butts, a North Carolina Central University basketball player who died in May 2023, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against NC Central. The lawsuit, initiated on May 2, 2025, centers on allegations of negligence following the 22-year-old athlete’s cardiac arrest during an unsupervised late-night workout. This legal action has brought sharp focus to questions about student athlete medical care, university liability, and safety protocols within collegiate athletic programs.
The case highlights critical concerns about the supervision and safety measures in place for student-athletes, particularly during off-season activities. As this NC Central negligence lawsuit unfolds, it could establish important precedents for university athletic departments nationwide regarding their legal and ethical responsibilities toward their athletes.
Commencement of legal action
Filed with both the Durham County Superior Court and the North Carolina Industrial Commission, the lawsuit against North Carolina Central University marks a significant escalation in the aftermath of Butts’ tragic death. The dual filing strategy reflects the family’s comprehensive approach to seeking remedies under various legal frameworks, including tort law and potentially workers’ compensation provisions.
According to reports, the HBCU faces lawsuit over death of former basketball player with specific allegations against multiple university officials. The legal action names several defendants including former NCCU Chancellor Johnson Akinleye, Athletic Director Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins, Basketball Coach LeVelle Moton, Facilities Manager George Smith, and Police Chief Damon Williams.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages to compensate for Butts’ pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of reasonably expected income, and punitive damages, signaling the family’s determination to pursue comprehensive legal redress.
Specific allegations of negligence
The lawsuit details multiple instances of alleged negligence on the part of NCCU and its personnel. Central to these allegations is the claim that the university failed to maintain adequate medical supervision and emergency response capabilities, directly contributing to the tragic outcome.
Among the most serious accusations is that the only Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in McDougald-McLendon Arena was locked inside a trainer’s room, rendering it inaccessible during the critical moments following Butts’ collapse. Emergency medical technicians allegedly arrived 18 minutes after the initial 911 call, a delay that the family’s attorneys argue could have been critical.
The family of late NCCU basketball player sues school for wrongful death citing these failures in emergency preparedness as key factors in their legal claim. The lawsuit contends that these deficiencies represent serious breaches of the university’s duty of care to its student-athletes.
Encouragement of unsupervised workouts
One of the most troubling aspects of the lawsuit centers on allegations that NCCU fostered an environment that actively encouraged unsupervised athletic activities. According to court documents, university administrators “created and/or allowed to exist a culture among the athletic department, particularly the men’s basketball team” that violated both institutional policies and NCAA regulations.
The family of late NC Central basketball player files wrongful death lawsuit over unsupervised workout, specifically highlighting how team members regularly accessed the basketball facility during off-hours through a side door that remained propped open and unlocked. This practice allegedly enabled student-athletes to engage in training activities without proper supervision or medical support.
The lawsuit directly implicates head basketball coach LeVelle Moton, alleging that he actively encouraged players to participate in these unsupervised workouts, thereby contributing to a climate where safety protocols were routinely circumvented.
Timeline of the incident and aftermath
The tragic sequence of events began on April 30, 2023, when Devin Butts was participating in an unsupervised late-night workout at McDougald-McLendon Arena. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on May 1, Butts suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the court. His teammates immediately called emergency services, but EMTs did not arrive until 12:48 a.m.
Despite efforts to revive him, Butts died at Duke University Hospital on May 5, 2023, with the cause of death identified as ventricular tachycardia resulting from the cardiac arrest. Nearly two years later, on May 2, 2025, his family initiated the wrongful death lawsuit against the university and several of its officials.
This timeline highlights critical questions about the emergency response systems in place at the university and whether more immediate access to medical equipment such as an AED might have altered the outcome.
University response and potential defense strategy
As is typical in active litigation, North Carolina Central University has maintained a reserved public stance regarding the lawsuit. A university spokesperson acknowledged awareness of the legal action but cited institutional policy against commenting on pending legal proceedings.
Legal experts suggest the university may pursue several defensive strategies, including arguments that:
- The workouts were voluntary and not mandated by the coaching staff
- The university had implemented reasonable safety measures
- Butts’ underlying medical condition may have been irreversible even with immediate intervention
- The causal connection between alleged negligence and the outcome may be difficult to establish
In the immediate aftermath of Butts’ death in 2023, Coach Moton had issued a statement remembering Butts as “an incredible teammate that had an infectious smile at all times,” reflecting the emotional impact of the loss on the entire NCCU community.
Potential implications for collegiate athletics
This university athlete death litigation has potential ramifications extending far beyond NC Central. The case could prompt renewed scrutiny of safety protocols in collegiate athletic programs nationwide, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that often operate with more limited resources than larger institutions.
Questions about the enforcement of NCAA regulations regarding supervised athletic activities, access to life-saving medical equipment, and emergency response protocols may lead to significant policy reforms. Athletic departments across the country are likely watching this case carefully, recognizing that its outcome could establish new standards for institutional liability.
The lawsuit underscores ongoing concerns about student athlete welfare and the responsibilities of universities to provide appropriate safeguards, especially during activities that may fall outside regular practice schedules but remain connected to athletic programs.
Legal precedents and comparable cases
The Butts family’s lawsuit against NC Central joins a series of similar legal actions involving student-athlete deaths at universities. Cases such as Estate of Travis Stowers v. Southeastern Louisiana University and Stringer v. University of Pittsburgh have established precedents regarding university liability for athlete safety.
These cases typically hinge on demonstrating institutional negligence in providing adequate medical care and safety measures. The Stringer case resulted in a significant $11.5 million award, highlighting the potential financial consequences for institutions found liable in such circumstances.
A central legal challenge in the NC Central case will be establishing a direct causal link between the alleged negligence (such as the inaccessible AED and delayed emergency response) and Butts’ death. Expert testimony regarding the efficacy of timely defibrillation in cases of ventricular tachycardia will likely play a crucial role.
Conclusion
The family lawsuit NC Central represents a significant legal challenge for the university and raises profound questions about the responsibility of academic institutions toward their student-athletes. As the case proceeds through discovery and toward potential trial, it will be closely watched by athletic departments, university administrators, and legal experts nationwide.
For the family of Devin Butts, the lawsuit represents a quest for accountability and justice following a devastating loss. For North Carolina Central University, it presents not only a legal challenge but also an opportunity to reassess and potentially strengthen its athletic safety protocols.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, this case underscores the critical importance of establishing and maintaining robust safety measures to protect the well-being of student-athletes who represent their institutions on the playing field.
William covers the sports world with passion and precision — from transfer rumors to game-changing performances. With a sharp eye for trends and a love for bold storytelling, he brings fans closer to the action, one article at a time.
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