Quandarius Wilburn Settlement, Virginia Union University Reportedly Pays About $1.6 Million in Football Player Death Lawsuit
Virginia Union University and former head football coach Alvin Parker have reportedly agreed to pay slightly more than $1.5 million to resolve a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the family of Quandarius Wilburn, a freshman football player who died after collapsing during preseason conditioning on August 8, 2021. Some headlines round the figure to $1.6 million.
The case raises serious questions about how colleges protect athletes with sickle cell trait during demanding workouts, especially when staff know about the condition. The family originally sought $10 million. The defendants denied the allegations, and no court found anyone negligent.
Verification limit: The settlement amount comes from news reports dated October 31 and November 1, 2026. The most recent report says a judge approved the settlement but had not yet signed the final written order. We could not retrieve the Richmond Circuit Court complaint, the case number or the signed order. Treat the amount as reported, not independently confirmed. Earlier coverage also referred to a “partial settlement” in October 2024 with an undisclosed amount, which should be reconciled against the court file.
There is no claim form, administrator or payment program for other Virginia Union students or players. This is an individual wrongful-death resolution, not a class action.
Quick Facts: Virginia Union University Wilburn Settlement
| Detail | Information |
| University | Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia |
| Former head coach | Alvin Parker |
| Deceased athlete | Quandarius “Quin” Wilburn, age 19 |
| Position | Defensive end (incoming freshman) |
| Date of death | August 8, 2021 |
| Location | Hovey Field, Virginia Union University; died at VCU Medical Center |
| Medical examiner’s reported cause | Acute sickle cell crisis in the setting of sickle cell trait, exertion and heat |
| Original demand | $10 million |
| Reported settlement | Slightly more than $1.5 million (headline figure about $1.6 million) |
| Court | Richmond Circuit Court, Virginia |
| Lawsuit filed | July 2022 (reported as July 13, 2022) |
| Case caption and number | Not independently verified |
| Settlement status | Judge reportedly approved; signed final order not located |
| Claim form / public fund | None |
| Class action | No |
Who Was Quandarius Wilburn?
Wilburn was an incoming freshman defensive end at Virginia Union, a historically Black university in Richmond. The university’s February 3, 2021 National Signing Day announcement identified him as a defensive end from Jefferson County High School in Louisville, Georgia, listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 230 pounds. He was beginning his college career on an academic and football scholarship when he died during preseason conditioning.
What Happened on August 8, 2021?
Wilburn collapsed during a conditioning session at Hovey Field and received emergency assistance. He was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he died. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office reportedly determined the cause was an acute sickle cell crisis associated with sickle cell trait, physical exertion and elevated temperature.
Sickle cell trait is not sickle cell disease. The distinction is central to the case because the family alleged the school knew about his trait before the workout.
What the Family Alleged
The family’s complaint reportedly alleged that:
- The trait was ignored. Coaches and staff knew about his sickle cell trait but did not adjust his training.
- The workout was excessive. The session involved repeated 80-yard sprints with little rest, and Wilburn was pushed beyond safe limits.
- Emergency help was slow. Appropriate emergency assistance was not provided quickly enough after he collapsed.
- Program leadership shared responsibility. Claims were brought against the university and people in its football and athletic program.
These are allegations, not findings after a trial. The original complaint was not available in the public records reviewed, so training details should be read as the family’s claims. The exact final list of defendants and claims resolved should be checked against the court file.
What Is Sickle Cell Trait and Why Can It Be Dangerous in Conditioning?
Sickle cell trait (SCT) means a person inherited one sickle hemoglobin gene and one normal gene. The CDC notes most people with SCT do not have the symptoms of sickle cell disease and live normal, healthy lives. Under certain extreme conditions, however, serious complications can occur, including very intense exercise, dehydration, high heat and humidity, low-oxygen conditions and extreme exertion without recovery. During intense activity, red blood cells can change shape and become rigid, potentially restricting blood flow and oxygen delivery. In rare cases this can be fatal.
The CDC advises that people with SCT in competitive sports build intensity gradually, rest between repeated drills, stay hydrated and seek medical attention right away if they feel ill. Knowing an athlete’s status does not bar participation, but it helps trainers and coaches decide when precautions are needed.
What Does the NCAA Require?
NCAA Bylaw 17.1.6.4.1 requires member schools to confirm student-athletes’ sickle cell trait status before participation through the applicable testing and documentation procedures. NCAA health and safety guidance says athletes with SCT can participate when safeguards are followed, including:
- Gradually increasing conditioning intensity
- Allowing sufficient rest and recovery between repetitions
- Maintaining adequate hydration
- Avoiding prolonged maximum-effort exertion without recovery
- Stopping immediately if unusual weakness, muscle pain or breathing difficulty occurs
- Ensuring emergency medical help is available
The NCAA also stresses emergency action plans and first-aid and CPR training for coaches and strength staff. This guidance does not by itself prove Virginia Union violated any rule in Wilburn’s case. In civil cases, such guidance is often used as evidence of the standard of care.
Virginia Wrongful-Death Law
Va. Code § 8.01-50: Who May Sue
A wrongful-death action lies when a death results from another’s wrongful act, neglect or default and the deceased could have sued had they survived. The action must be brought by the deceased’s personal representative, not directly by relatives, who are beneficiaries.
Va. Code § 8.01-52: Damages
A jury may award damages in several categories:
| Type of damages | What it covers |
| Sorrow, mental anguish and solace | Emotional suffering and loss of society, comfort and guidance |
| Lost income | Financial support the deceased would reasonably have provided |
| Lost services | Protection, care and assistance |
| Medical expenses | Care and hospitalization related to the fatal injury |
| Funeral expenses | Reasonable funeral costs |
| Punitive damages | Possible for willful or wanton conduct; Virginia caps punitive damages at $350,000 (Va. Code § 8.01-38.1) |
Not every family receives every category, and the amount sued for does not determine a settlement.
Va. Code § 8.01-244: Deadline
Wrongful-death actions in Virginia generally must be filed within two years of the death, with limited exceptions. The Wilburn complaint was filed in July 2022, within that period.
Court Approval of Settlements
Virginia law requires court approval of wrongful-death settlements (Va. Code § 8.01-55), which also governs how proceeds are divided among beneficiaries. This is why the reports describe a judge’s approval and a separate signed order, which are different procedural steps. Until the written order is entered, avoid describing the case as having a final judgment.
Defenses Wrongful-Death Defendants Often Raise
Virginia follows pure contributory negligence, meaning a plaintiff who is even slightly at fault can be barred from recovery, and defendants often argue assumption of risk. In a case like this, a defendant may argue the cause was an unforeseeable medical event. Plaintiffs counter that a known condition made the risk foreseeable and the precautions inadequate. A settlement avoids a jury deciding these questions and is not an admission of fault.
Why Might the University and Coach Have Settled?
Wrongful-death trials involve expert medical testimony, witness examination, significant cost and uncertainty. A settlement lets both sides avoid a verdict. The agreement has not been made public, so we cannot confirm:
- The exact gross amount
- How much each defendant pays
- Whether insurance funds it
- What the family receives after fees and expenses
- Whether non-monetary terms apply
Was the Settlement Approved by a Judge?
The November 1, 2026 report says a judge approved the settlement but had not signed the final order. A settlement agreement, judicial approval and a signed final order are different events. The Richmond Circuit Court Clerk keeps civil case records open for public inspection, but does not routinely post civil documents online.
Richmond Circuit Court Clerk 400 North Ninth Street, John Marshall Courts Building, Richmond, VA 23219 General: (804) 646-6505 | Civil Division: (804) 646-6536
Can Other Players or Families Get Money From This Settlement?
No. It is an individual case. Other Virginia Union athletes, former players and parents cannot claim from it, and there is no general fund. A separate family would need an independent legal basis, would have to prove facts specific to its own case and would need to meet its own filing deadlines.
What Can Families Do After a College Athlete’s Serious Injury or Death?
Preserve:
- Medical records: preparticipation exams, sickle cell test results, medical histories, emergency treatment records and autopsy findings
- Training records: conditioning schedules, workout instructions, rest intervals and attendance
- Communications: emails, texts and messages with coaches and trainers
- Emergency documentation: incident reports, emergency action plans, ambulance and hospital records
- Witness information: teammates, trainers and others who saw the collapse and response
Speak with a qualified Virginia attorney promptly, given the two-year limit and the requirement that a personal representative file. Schools in other states have different laws, and public universities may have sovereign-immunity or notice-of-claim requirements that private universities do not.
Taxes
Tax treatment of wrongful-death settlement proceeds depends on how they are characterized and allocated. Some compensation for physical injury is excluded from income under Internal Revenue Code § 104(a)(2), but allocations such as punitive damages and interest are treated differently. Consult a tax professional.
Related Cases
Related AllAboutLawyer coverage includes the Katie Meyer Stanford wrongful-death settlement, the King Overton wrongful-death lawsuit against SwimRVA and the Olivia Peters wrongful-death lawsuit. Different defendants, facts and legal issues apply, and one settlement does not establish liability in another.
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
| Feb. 3, 2021 | Virginia Union announces Wilburn as an incoming football signee |
| Aug. 8, 2021 | Wilburn collapses during conditioning at Hovey Field and dies at VCU Medical Center |
| July 2022 | $10 million wrongful-death lawsuit filed in Richmond Circuit Court (reported July 13, 2022) |
| Oct. 2024 | Earlier coverage reports a “partial settlement” with an undisclosed amount (unverified) |
| Oct. 31, 2026 | Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the resolution |
| Nov. 1, 2026 | Reports describe settlement of about $1.6 million; judge reportedly approved, order not yet signed |
| Nov. 2, 2026 | Settlement remains subject to verification against the signed court order |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $1.6 million figure confirmed?
No. It is a rounded headline figure. Reports describe slightly more than $1.5 million, not confirmed from the settlement agreement.
Did Virginia Union admit fault?
No. A settlement is not an admission, and no court found the university or coach negligent.
Can other players claim?
No. This is an individual case.
What did the medical examiner find?
Reportedly, an acute sickle cell crisis in the setting of sickle cell trait, exertion and heat.
How long do families have to sue in Virginia?
Generally two years from the death, though facts and exceptions vary. Talk to an attorney immediately.
Where can I see the court file?
Contact the Richmond Circuit Court Clerk using the details above.
Disclaimer
AllAboutLawyer.com is a consumer legal information resource and is not a law firm. This article provides general legal information, not legal, medical or tax advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The allegations against Virginia Union University and its former coaching staff have not been established at trial. The reported settlement is not a judicial finding of negligence or wrongdoing, and the approximately $1.6 million figure is reported, not verified from a signed order. Consult a licensed Virginia attorney about your own situation.
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a Legal Content Researcher at AllAboutLawyer.com. This report was prepared using Virginia Union University athletics records, NCAA guidance, CDC information, Virginia statutes, available court-record resources and published news coverage. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Sources
Settlement verification limitation: The approximately $1.6 million settlement is reported in news coverage from late October and early November 2026. The exact payment, signed order, case caption and case number were not verified from the Richmond Circuit Court file. The October 2024 “partial settlement” reference could not be reconciled with the later report. Update this article when the primary documents become available. Statements about Va. Code §§ 8.01-38.1 and 8.01-55, contributory negligence, sovereign immunity and tax treatment come from general legal knowledge and should be verified by counsel before reliance.
Official and primary sources
- Virginia Union University Athletics, 2021 Football National Signing Day announcement: https://vuusports.com/news/2021/2/3/vuu-football-ink-9-on-national-signing-day.aspx
- NCAA, Sickle Cell Trait guidance: https://www.ncaa.org/what-we-do/health-safety-and-performance/sickle-cell-trait/
- NCAA Legislative Services Database, Bylaw 17.1.6.4.1: https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/bylaw?ruleId=7772
- CDC, What Is Sickle Cell Trait?: https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell/sickle-cell-trait/index.html
- Code of Virginia § 8.01-50: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter5/section8.01-50/
- Code of Virginia § 8.01-52: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter5/section8.01-52/
- Code of Virginia § 8.01-244: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter8/section8.01-244/
- Richmond Circuit Court Clerk records information: https://www.rva.gov/office-circuit-court-clerk/records
Other laws referenced
- Code of Virginia §§ 8.01-38.1, 8.01-55
- Internal Revenue Code § 104(a)(2)
Related AllAboutLawyer guides
- Katie Meyer Lawsuit Settlement, Stanford Wrongful Death Case Resolved January 2026: King Overton Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Family Seeks $100 Million or More From SwimRVA:
- Olivia Peters $25 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit Reportedly Resolved
- How Long Do You Have to File Probate After Death in Virginia
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher with 4+ years of experience covering class action settlements and consumer rights cases. He has researched and published coverage of 2,500+ settlements using verified court records, settlement administrator filings, and government sources. Learn more about Israr.