Posted inSettlements

Time to Heal

United community

Two years after an active shooter slayed 21 individuals at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, the families of the deceased students and the city reached a legal settlement.  The $2 million amount was calculated based on insurance coverage for the city, as the families did not wish to completely deplete the city’s assets.  Pursuing further compensation from Uvalde would subsequently drive the city to bankruptcy.  The agreed upon compensation, however, seemed relatively fair to the majority and would also allow the community to heal without financial ruin.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Sliding into Litigation

Devastating death

For most parents, it may be considered one of the greatest hopes or expectations that while under the supervision of educators, their children are safe.  To ensure total general safety, parents may anticipate that their child’s school upholds every reasonable standard.  Following a February 6 injury involving a corkscrew slide at the Rose Springs Elementary School in Idaho, this practical expectation was compromised.  The parents of a now-deceased 8-year-old child have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Idaho school district that may be held liable for the incident.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

A Student’s Fight

Injured student

To effectively illustrate the practical application of an educational theory or concept, teachers may often incorporate tangible or realistic examples.  On May 2, 2022, a former science teacher at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico brought two swords into the classroom to demonstrate a lesson on metal and melding.  Rather than simply showing the swords to the class, the teacher instructed the students to duel with one another.  The two weapons were katana- and rapier-style swords and did not resemble props.  The level of probable danger might not have been anticipated, as one student was injured.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Fight for Freedom

Technological impacts

In Texas, a newly introduced TikTok ban and its apparent subsequent restraints on the ability to exercise full academic freedom is the subject of a recent lawsuit filed by the group, The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.  Academic freedom not only affords the opportunity for professors to conduct research and teach an array of topics and ideas without the fear of censure, but also allows students to engage in thought processes and debates without the anxiety of potential retaliation.  The lawsuit names Texas Governor Greg Abbott and additional state entities and public university personnel as defendants. 

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

District Learns Lesson

Teacher learning to cope

A Newport News, VA teacher has filed a $40 million lawsuit against her previous employer, Richneck Elementary School.  Specifically, the teacher has named defendants, including the Newport News School Board, the superintendent of schools, principal, and assistant principal.  According to the educator, who is seeking a jury trial in the case, claims that despite the multiple warnings and suspicions provided to her superiors, she was placed in imminent danger in her position at the school.  One of her minor elementary school students shot her, causing subsequent pain and anguish.

2 minutes