As the school year begins, Californians Against Lawsuit Abuse highlights some of the most frivolous lawsuits against schools

[Sacramento] – It’s back-to-school time again and this year, Central California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is hitting the books to study up on the most ridiculous school-related lawsuits.

• In North Carolina, the parents of a 16-year-old girl who married a 40-year-old former high school coach filed a lawsuit against the Brunswick County Board of Education, claiming school officials failed to protect their daughter despite the fact that the parents signed a consent form allowing the marriage. (Williamson Star-News, July 11, 2007)

• A high school senior in Ohio, who was a Chinese national in the country on a student visa, hacked into his teacher’s computer to obtain test questions. He was caught and given an “F,” suspended and the school is pressing charges, which could ultimately affect his ability to stay in America. In response, the student and his parents are suing the teacher, the board of education and three school administrators, claiming the boy was entrapped into the misconduct, the teacher didn’t adequately reach out to him and that the disciplinary process was mishandled by the district. The family wants monetary damages along with changes to the boy’s grade and other records. (Ravenna Record-Courier, May 3, 2007)

• A 12-year-old girl sued the Chicago Board of Education and others after watching “Brokeback Mountain” in class, seeking more than $400,000 in damages due to the psychological distress inflicted on her by the movie. The defendants are charged with negligence, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. So traumatized was the girl, the suit claims she is undergoing psychological treatment and counseling. (Chicago Sun-Times, May 13, 2007)

• A teen in West Virginia was given a failing grade on a school project not turned in on time. She sued her teacher and the school board because it hurt her 4.5 GPA. The lawsuit claims the failing grade was intentional and the plaintiff, and her parents, are seeking an injunction, punitive damages, and damages for “emotional stress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of scholarship potential.” (Charleston Daily Mail, March 15, 2007)

“As amusing as it might be to read about these types of lawsuits, the state of our court system is no laughing matter,” said Diann Rogers, CCCALA president, “These lawsuits clog our court systems and cost our taxpayer millions of dollars as schools are forced to settle or fight these cases. This money would be much better spent on our children’s education, not more lawsuits. Most importantly, we are setting a poor example for our youth by teaching them to avoid personal responsibility and look for others to blame for our own actions.”

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is a nonprofit, grassroots public education organization dedicated to serving as a watchdog over the legal system and those who would seek to abuse it for undeserved gain. Central California CALA currently has over 3,000 supporters throughout the Central Valley and Sacramento region. Visit www.StopBadLawsuits.com.