WHEELING — A federal court jury has awarded $3 million in damages to the parents of Kevin Figaniak, the 21-year-old Wheeling Jesuit University student who died on Labor Day Weekend 2013 from traumatic head injuries after a street altercation.

On Aug. 31, 2013, Figaniak was unconscious following a fight with two pipeline workers in Wheeling.

After the altercation, Tyler Johnson, Figaniak’s friend and lacrosse teammate, did not get him medical attention, but instead reportedly tried to drag Figaniak to his apartment.

On the way, Johnson reportedly dropped Figaniak head-first to the cement street.

After less than four hours of deliberations, the jury found Johnson 75 percent at fault for Figaniak’s death. Additionally, it awarded $1.25 million in punitive damages against Johnson.

Defendant Jarrett Chandler of Louisiana, who previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with Figaniak’s death, was found 6 percent responsible.

Defendant Craig Tyler Peacock of Florida, who was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter charges, was found 13 percent at fault. Chandler served seven months of a one-year sentence, and was released in April 2014.

Johnson was not charged in the criminal case.

Philadelphia-based attorney Jeffrey P. Goodman and West Virginia attorney Guy Bucci represented the Bucks County, Pa., family of Figaniak during the trial. Family members were in the courtroom when the jury delivered its verdict at the end of the five-day trial in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Their lawsuit asserted that Figaniak would have survived the beating if Johnson had immediately called 911.

“The jury’s verdict sent a clear message — when your friend needs medical attention, you need to stop thinking about yourself and instead get them help. Had Tyler Johnson done that, Kevin would still be alive today,” Goodman said. “By finding Johnson 75-percent responsible and holding him accountable for punitive damages, the jury definitively stated that Kevin’s death was the fault of his supposed friend, Tyler Johnson.”

Bucci added, “From the start, Kevin’s family wanted justice for their child, and to send a message to others about how to act when someone – whether a close friend or total stranger — is in distress. The jury’s adamant verdict can’t bring back their son, but it was fair and it was just. And they are grateful.”

Under West Virginia law, Johnson is “jointly and severally” liable for the full damages award by virtue of being found 75 percent responsible. That means Figaniak’s family can pursue collection of the full amount of damages from Johnson, and it is up to him and the other defendants to sort out their respective shares of the liability.

Goodman said the legal team expects to collect the full damages.

The attorneys said Johnson, through his insurance carrier, only offered to settle the case for $25,000 before trial.

Figaniak played ice hockey and lacrosse, playing for Pennridge High School before entering Wheeling Jesuit University. Figaniak died in a Pittsburgh hospital the day after the altercation.