Teacher shot by student advances lawsuit against Virginia district

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A Virginia judge on Friday ruled that a $40 million lawsuit filed by Newport News teacher Abigail Zwerner can continue. One of Zwerner’s 6-year-old students brought his mother’s handgun to school and shot her during class in January. She was hospitalized for nearly two weeks and underwent four surgeries. Zwerner sued Newport News Public Schools in April, saying school administrators ignored warnings that the boy had a gun and were aware of previous concerns about his behavior.

What has the school district said? Attorneys for the school district moved to dismiss the lawsuit, saying Zwerner is only entitled to worker’s compensation. Under the Virginia Worker’s Compensation Act, Zwerner is eligible for 10 years of pay and lifetime medical care. A Virginia judge disagreed with the school district, saying her injuries did not occur because of her job.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Dunn’s report in WORLD Magazine on families lobbying for gun safety after the Nashville Covenant School shooting.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.