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Two claimants sued because they were molested by their 6th grade teacher, from 1996 to 2001. The District received multiple reports that defendant Thomas West abused multiple children prior to knowing these claimants.
The case was based on District’s negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention.
The District claimed that the mother for one of a claimants
was responsible along with West.
The injuries were based on loss of enjoyment of life, grief,
anxiety, humiliation.
The jury held the District responsible at 90% and West at 10%
Brady, Justin vs. Moreno Valley USD CVRI 2102718 Hon Chad
Firetag, Oct 10, 2023
Verdict: 0 Dollars Defense vs. Black Butte Union
Elementary, Shasta County Superior Court
In 1981 plaintiff was in 8th grade she alleged her basketball coach and bus driver groomed her on campus. The grooming escalated to include sexual abuse and rape off campus at the age of 13. She never told anyone about it except her best friend until she filed suit. The coach/driver died 6 years before the case was filed.
Defendant District agued they never received any complaints
about the bus driver. No former supervisors heard any such
abuse reports. Most of the witnesses were dead or gone. The
most serious allegations took place off campus. Finally, plaintiff
failed to mitigate her damages to get therapy for 42 years.
Plaintiff married at 19 and had three kids.
Plaintiff asked the jury for $6.7 million in closing argument. Before trial the plaintiff demanded $1,000,000. Defendant District offered $20,000 before trial.
Shasta Superior Court, Hon Benjamin Hanna, Dec 22, 2023. Jane Doe vs. Black Butte Union SD
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