FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A Texas teenager and his family have been awarded $1 million by a federal jury that found a school district responsible for abuse and injury to the student.
The verdict is believed to be one of the largest awards ever against a school district for discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the law firm representing the family said in a statement.
The Fort Worth jury heard evidence last week Terrence Rideau, now 16, suffered broken bones, cuts and other injuries while attending special education classes at Keller Middle School from 2008 to 2010.
Rideau has mental and physical disabilities and is unable to communicate how he was injured.
Officials with the Keller Independent School District denied any responsibility for the injuries or that there were any problems at the school.
An investigation by the school district and Texas Child Protective Services found teachers and staff at the school "physically abused him and failed to follow proper procedures in moving and lifting him," the statement said.
"This verdict sends a significant message to school districts that they will be held responsible for the supervision of their teachers and the care and nurturing of special needs students," said Michael K. Hurst, who represented the family.
