Case: I.C. v. Compton Unified School District - 2DCA affirms trial win for teacher in student-altercation suit

Decided: 2/6/2025

Docket

Case Overview:

Procedural posture: Appeal from the Los Angeles Superior Court’s judgment and order denying plaintiff’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict

Plaintiff-appellant: I.C.

Defendants-respondents: Compton Unified School District, et al.

Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight case no.: B322148

Appeal from: Los Angeles Superior Court (Long, J.)

Advocates: Rosa Hirji and Alexander Rodriguez for I.C.; Terence Gallagher and Leslie Burnet for Compton Unified

Question:

(1) In a negligence case, did the superior court err by refusing to give six plaintiff-requested jury instructions relating to the special relationship between school personnel and students?

Answer:

(1) No, the superior court did not err by refusing to give the instructions. The school’s duty to prevent harm to the plaintiff was never disputed, so there was no need to instruct the jury on the “special relationship.” The standard of care is reasonableness under the circumstances. Even if the trial court erred, the plaintiff failed to satisfy his burden to show a miscarriage of justice.

Outcome:

The Second District Court of Appeal, Division Eight affirmed the superior court’s judgment and order denying plaintiff’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and alternatively for a new trial.

Justice Grimes authored the opinion, joined by Justices Stratton and Viramontes.

Links:

Westlaw: 2025 WL 414242