Facts

Plaintiff was injured when his teacher, Marco Godinez, broke up a fight in art class at Dominguez High School in the Compton Unified School District. Plaintiff and another student were "slap-boxing" before being verbally reprimanded. While physically intervening in the ensuing fist-fight, Godinez landed on Plaintiff, fracturing his leg.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that the teacher was negligent when supervising his class and unreasonably allowed known dangerous slap-boxing activity to escalate into a fight. Plaintiff also contended that the school district negligently failed to adequately train teachers to handle fist-fights.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendants claimed that plaintiff engaged in unreasonable behavior by fighting another classmate. Godinez intervened, was struck by plaintiff, and lost his balance. As a result, Godinez fell onto plaintiff's leg and broke it.

Specials in Evidence

Meds: $50,000 Loe: $653,000 Future Loe: $658,000 Future Meds: $35,000

Damages

Plaintiff sought $738,000 in past and future economic damages, and $8,000,000 in past and future non-economic damages.

Injuries

Plaintiff suffered fractured tibia and fibula and related leg trauma. He also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

Result

The jury found in favor of defendants, concluding that Marco Godinez and Compton USD were not negligent. The jury allocated 50% responsibility each to plaintiff and the other student in the fight.

Other Information

Plaintiff underwent three surgeries.

Deliberation

2.5 hours

Poll

9-3

Length

22 days