Joseph Coghlan, by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Patrick Coghlan, et al. v. Gridley Unified School District, Albert Keller, et al.
Published: Nov. 16, 2004 | Result Date: Jun. 3, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: CIVS022046 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
USDC Eastern
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Houman Chitsaz
(Nardell Chitsaz & Associates LLP)
Defendant
John P. Kelley
(Morgan & Kelley)
Experts
Plaintiff
Paula M. Gardner
(technical)
Defendant
Brent H. Duncan
(medical)
Facts
Joseph Coghlan was a student in the Gridley Unified School District. Shortly after he started the ninth grade, Coghlan was suspended and recommended for expulsion, after the school's administration learned that he had been assigning numbers to various students, purportedly indicating their positions on a "hit list" he was creating. While awaiting the expulsion hearing, each party retained attorneys who worked out a settlement agreement. Coghlan's suspension was then lifted. Joseph Coghlan and his parents, Patrick and Sally Coghlan sued the Gridley Unified School District and three of its employees, Albert Keller, Paul Broughton and Jose Flores, for violations of Joseph's civil rights, including violation of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Damages
The Coghlans claimed damages of about $6,000 for reimbursement of assessment costs and training to date, as well as unspecified non-economic damages.
Other Information
Patrick and Sally Coghlan were dismissed as plaintiffs by way of motion for summary judgment, leaving only Joseph Coghlan as the plaintiff. The Coghlans agreed to waived their appellate rights in exchange for a waiver of costs.
Deliberation
one hour
Poll
12-0
Length
four days
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