Judge Allows Damages Against Hawaii. Judge rules that a family can sue to force the state to pay for therapy for their 6-year old autistic daughter and can seek punitive damages for the emotional distress suffered while trying to get services for their child.

Damages Available Due to "Deliberate Indifference" from School & State Judge rules that school and state showed "deliberate indifference" to needs of child with Down syndrome who attended public school for 16 years - allowed for an award of damages.

Jury Awards $600,000 Damages to Parents - In Whitehead v. Hillsborough, a Florida jury took less than 2 hours before deciding that the school system retaliated against the parents of a child with Downs Syndrome.

Whitehead Case: The Inside Story by Laura Whiteside, Esq. The famous $600,000 jury verdict against the Hillsborough Florida school district - what was this case really about? Laura Whiteside, attorney for Andrew Whitehead and his parents, tells the "inside story."

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Caselaw

When you read these damages cases, you will learn that the outcome of damages cases is varies in different parts of the country.

Baird v. Rose. Damages requested under the ADA for depressed child who was tormented and humiliated by her teacher; also discusses retaliation. U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled: "to establish a violation of the ADA, a plaintiff must show (1) that he has a disability; (2) that he is otherwise qualified for the benefit in question; and (3) that he was excluded from the benefit due to discrimination solely on the basis of the disability."

Covington v. Knox Co (TN) U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Decision in "Time-out Room" abuse case; creates exceptions to exhaustion requirement in damages cases. In html

Doe v. Withers (WV) Doe v. Withers was the first special education jury trial and the first special education dollar damages case. A jury awarded a teacher to pay damages after he repeatedly refused to implement a child's IEP. The article includes the Complaint and Jury Orders.

Jarron Draper v. Atlanta Public School District (N.D. GA 2008) Court denies motion by Atlanta Public Schools (“APS”) to dismiss Jarron’s civil rights claims for monetary damages under Section 504 after APS discriminated against him, harassed him, and retaliated against him and his family over a period of many years. (PDF)

Goleta Union Elementary School District v. Andrew Ordway (C.D. Cal., verdict Dec. 5, 2002). Judge rules that school administrator was personally liable for damages under the Civil Rights Act for violating a mother's right to get a "free appropriate public education" for her special-needs son, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (in pdf)

Polera v. Bd Ed. Newburgh City Sch. Dist, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In damages case under Section 504 and ADA, court rules that disabled child must first exhaust administrative remedies under IDEA. Decision includes extensive discussion of relief under statutes, compensatory and punitive damages, exhaustion requirement, and futility exception (2002).