School district found negligent in its supervision when middle school teacher repeatedly molests student. $8 million. Los Angeles County.

Summary

Male middle school teacher molests eighth grade female student.

The Case

Case Name: Antonia M. vs. Pomona Unified School District
Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / BC543558
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Type of Action: Negligence
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. David Cunningham III
Plaintiffs:
Antonia M., a minor.
Defendants:
Pomona Unified School District
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

Gross Verdict or Award: $8,050,000
Contributory/Comparative Negligence: Pomona Unified School District: 80%; Perpetrator Andrews: 20%.
Economic Damages:
Past medical: None claimed.
Future medical: $50,000
Non-Economic Damages:
Past non-economic damages: $7,000,000
Future non-economic damages: $1,000,000

The Attorneys

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Taylor & Ring by John Taylor and Natalie Weatherford, Los Angeles.
Attorney for the Defendant:
McCune & Harber by Dana John McCune and Jessica Gillette, Los Angeles.

The Experts

Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Lynn Ponton, M.D., psychiatry, San Francisco.
Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Constance Dalenberg, Ph.D., psychology, San Diego.
Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Robert Fraisse, Ph.D., school supervision, Thousand Oaks.

Facts and Background

Facts and Background:
Lorbeer Middle School teacher Steven Andrews committed multiple acts of sexual assault and abuse against the plaintiff, Antonia M., over the course of her 2010/2011 school year. Antonia M. was 14 years old at the time of the abuse. Andrews was 40 years old.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That defendant school district was negligent in that it failed to supervise the teacher and/or student in this case.
Defendant's Contentions:
That supervision was adequate. Defendant district disputed the nature and extent of plaintiff’s damages.

Injuries and Other Damages

Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Severe emotional distress.

Demands and Offers

Defendant Final Offer before Trial: $1,000,000

Disclaimer

This is not an official court document. While the publisher believes the information to be accurate, the publisher does not guarantee it and the reader is advised not to rely upon it without consulting the official court documents or the attorneys of record in this matter who are listed above.