Facts

Plaintiff, 14, was a student at Patrick Henry High School, in San Diego. While she was in a 25-minute advisory class, she told the instructor Gonja Wolf that she urgently needed to use the restroom. Wolf, citing a no-bathroom policy during the advisory class, refused plaintiff's request. Instead, she told plaintiff to urinate in a bucket located in a supply room adjacent to the classroom. Plaintiff sued Wolf and others for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Trial proceeded against Wolf and the school district only.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff contended that defendants' actions were negligent and constituted negligent infliction of emotional distress.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendants conceded that Wolf should not have told plaintiff to use a bucket, but that the school otherwise behaved correctly by disciplining Wolf and making it clear to teachers that students should not be denied restroom breaks.

Result

The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff, finding the school district and Wolf both liable. It awarded plaintiff $1,250,000 in damages, plus medical costs.