A.H., a minor, by and through his parents Bruce H., and Tanya H., and H.H., a minor, by and through his parents Francis H. and Wendy C. v. Saint Francis High School of Mountain View, California, Jason Curtis, Alicia Labanain View,
Published: Sep. 6, 2024 | Result Date: May 6, 2024 | Filing Date: Aug. 21, 2020 |Case number: 20CV369829 Verdict – $1,000,000
Judge
Court
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Harmeet K. Dhillon
(Dhillon Law Group Inc.)
Krista L. Baughman
(Dhillon Law Group Inc.)
Karin M. Sweigart
(Dhillon Law Group Inc.)
Defendant
Paul E. Gaspari
(Weintraub, Tobin, Chediak, Coleman & Grodin)
Ryan E. Abernethy
(Weintraub, Tobin, Chediak, Coleman & Grodin)
Facts
On August 21, 2020, Plaintiffs A.H. and H.H., both minors, by and through their parents, filed a complaint against Defendant Saint Francis High School of Mountain View, California. They alleged that they were emotionally and reputationally harmed as a result of their de facto expulsion without due process after a photo surfaced of them wearing a dark green substance on their faces, which appeared to the school community as the boys engaging in "blackface." The school informed the students that they could either withdraw or be involuntarily expelled. Plaintiffs contended they had been wearing acne masks in solidarity with their friend struggling with his diagnosed acne.
Contentions
PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant breached its contract with Plaintiffs, engaged in defamation, and violated Leonard's Law and Plaintiffs' rights to fair procedure under common law.
DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied all contentions.
Result
The jury awarded each Plaintiff $500,000 in damages, plus a reimbursement of their tuition for an additional $70,000 each.
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