Paul M. da Costa Quoted in NorthJersey.com Article, “NJ School Bus Reforms Haven’t Protected Kids with Disabilities. Mom Asks ‘How Many More?'”

By Gene Myers for NorthJersey.com

Matthew Rossi’s death was the latest tragedy to highlight the risks for special education students on New Jersey school buses. Parents are demanding answers.

“I think Matthew drowned in his own mucus,” his mother said. His airway was “filled with secretions and mucus,” the family said in the suit.

Phone records obtained in the case show the nurse was on a cellphone for about seven minutes during the ride, said Paul da Costa, a Hackensack attorney representing the Rossis.

“At no time when the bus was pulled over did anyone call 911, including the nurse, bus driver or bus aide, despite the fact that the nurse ultimately documented that he was nonresponsive,” da Costa said.

What happened at the end of the trip, captured by the family’s Ring doorbell camera, is still hard to watch, said Anabela Rossi. Her son’s attendants unloaded Matthew’s wheelchair and pushed him up the driveway. According to the family’s suit, Matthew was unresponsive as they reached the house, where his father, Kirk, was waiting.

“The bus pulls up in front of the house and there is essentially zero urgency on the part of the nurse or anyone else involved in trying to get Matthew off the bus,” da Costa said.

To view the article in its entirety, please visit NorthJersey.com.