Sexual harassment of 13-year-old student by 35-year-old teacher. $2 million settlement at trial. Los Angeles County.

Summary

The middle school teacher, a male, sexually messaged and sent graphic images to 13-year-old female student, but there was no physical sexual contact.

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Taylor & Ring LLP by David M. Ring and Natalie Weatherford, Manhattan Beach.

Agnew Brusavich by Bruce M. Brusavich, Torrance.
Attorney for the Defendant:
McCune & Harber LLP by Stephen Harber, Los Angeles.

Facts and Background:
Plaintiff Jane Doe was sexually harassed by her male middle school teacher while plaintiff was an eighth grade student attending a public middle school within Doe School District.

Jane Doe was 13 years old at the time of the harassment and the teacher was 35 years old. The harassment occurred on and off the middle school campus and consisted of the teacher transmitting sexually explicit text messages, photographs and Facetime telephone conversations to the minor plaintiff. The teacher never physically touched the plaintiff.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff contended that the school district employees failed to supervise the teacher and the plaintiff.
Defendant's Contentions:
The school district contended that it was not negligent in its supervision of the teacher or the plaintiff and contested the nature and extent of her claimed damages.

$2,000,000 settlement in sexual abuse case that did not involve any physical touching. The case settled after jury selection.