Hagens Berman represents the parents of a seven-year-old student who was allegedly sexually abused by fellow students with a known history of sexual misconduct, after being left unsupervised by an unlicensed substitute teacher. The lawsuit accuses the Lake Washington School District of negligence and failure to uphold its duty to protect students.
WHAT IS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT?
The lawsuit against the Lake Washington School District pertains to sexual victimization that allegedly occurred due to negligence and lack of oversight at Kirkland’s Hellen Keller Elementary School. Plaintiffs’ seven-year-old child, identified in the lawsuit as A.G., was left unsupervised with two students with a known history of sexual misconduct, under the care of an unlicensed and unqualified substitute, a PTA member. The lawsuit states that while under her supervision, A.G. and the two other children were allowed to play in a cubby area during choice time, a space not visible from the teacher’s desk.
According to the lawsuit, Lake Washington School District violated its duty of care under the law by:
- failing to ensure the supervision and control of the two offending students,
- failing to hire qualified staff to supervise students,
- failing to implement an effective safety plan despite knowing of the offending students’ prior misconduct and
- failing to protect A.G. from subsequent harassment and bullying after she was sexually victimized by the two offending students.
WHAT DID THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLEGEDLY KNOW?
According to the lawsuit, “Lake Washington School District had actual knowledge that students in the classroom had an established history of bullying A.G. and other students. These same students had also engaged in unwanted sexual contact with other students' genitalia. Despite this knowledge, the District failed to take adequate measures to protect A.G. from the foreseeable harm posed by these students.” Prior misconduct had prompted a Title IX investigation, according to the lawsuit.
Prior instances of sexual victimization by one of the two students against A.G. led the school to consider implementing a separation plan, according to the lawsuit. Previously documented misconduct included biting, kicking and hitting. That plan, the lawsuit states, “failed to keep the girls separated during class and recess” and was ineffective.
HOW CAN A LAWSUIT HELP?
Hagens Berman’s experienced attorneys are armed with resources and compassion for representing victims of child sexual abuse, as well as sexual assault, harassment and retaliation. As individuals step forward to take on abusers, Hagens Berman will take a stand to compassionately protect and doggedly fight for those we represent under the law. Lawsuits can help give survivors a peaceful closure to painful events and can seek monetary restitution they justly deserve. Bringing a lawsuit against individuals or institutions following sexual abuse can also shine a light on misconduct, letting the public know and helping to prevent future abuse.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
Hagens Berman’s sexual assault legal team is currently spearheading individual and class-action lawsuits against various individuals and entities on behalf of survivors who were subjected to sexual misconduct, including assault, rape and other despicable acts. Those who have been subjected to this kind of abuse deserve every opportunity to have their day in court, to be heard and believed, and to obtain peaceful resolution. It is our goal to do everything within our power to use the law to achieve that end.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning the victims we represent pay nothing at all unless we win. There is no scenario where any individual will be asked to pay out-of-pocket attorney fees or legal costs. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to plaintiffs, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to plaintiffs’ legal team.
