Ami Motevalli v. Los Angeles Unified School District
Published: Feb. 19, 2003 | Result Date: Oct. 18, 2002 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC254054 Verdict – $425,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Dan L. Stormer
(Hadsell, Stormer, Renick & Dai LLP)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Salvatore R. Maddi
(medical)
Stephanie R. Rizzardi-Pearson
(technical)
Facts
The plaintiff was a 32-year-old untenured art teacher, employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District and assigned to Locke High School in South Central Los Angeles. During the 2000-2001 academic year, the plaintiff on two occasions blocked a random weapons search from taking place in her classroom. On the second occasion, she allegedly encouraged her students to join her protest by walking out of the classroom in the middle of the class period. At the end of the semester, the plaintiff's one-year contract was not renewed. The District's random weapons search policy instituted in 1993 to protect students from violence and harm on campus has been upheld by the court as constitutional.
Settlement Discussions
None disclosed
Damages
Emotional distress and the loss of past and future wages which ranged from $40,000 to $316,000.
Result
The defendant filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. On Jan. 21, 2003, the $425,000 jury award was vacated by the court and ordered judgment for LAUSD.
Other Information
The defendant filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and on Jan. 21, 2003, the court vacated the jury's verdict.
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