$3.5M Awarded To A Special Needs Student In Abuse Case

$3.5M Awarded To A Special Needs Student In Abuse Case

Introduction

A court has granted a $3.5 million settlement between the Los Angeles Unified School District and a former special needs pupil. The youngster sued the school system and the teacher's assistant, accusing them of irresponsible hiring and supervision. During the trial, the plaintiff removed the teacher’s assistant as a defendant. The judge recently authorized the settlement on behalf of the plaintiff, who is now 20 years old and has a handicap, which was reached during jury selection in January. After the deduction of costs and solicitors' fees, the plaintiff will get a little over $2 million, which will be deposited in a special trust. The plaintiff's attorneys claimed in earlier court documents that the student would continue to sustain mental anguish damages. The school system stated that they had taken steps to avoid such behavior and that neither an administrator nor supervisor was aware of the teacher's assistant's alleged mistreatment. The assistant worked as a special education aide at Grant High School, which the plaintiff attended. He was responsible for helping the plaintiff when he was riding the bus to and from school. The plaintiff is accused of being groomed and exploited by the assistant, who also made unwanted touches and amorous approaches. The assistant also gave rides in his car, where he persisted in touching the plaintiff indecently and committed other unpleasant acts. The assistant is accused of taking the plaintiff to a motel on many occasions, where he gave him a drink before abusing him sexually. This is the culmination of the alleged grooming and manipulation.