A teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student. Is workers’ compensation enough?
By BEN FINLEY
Associated Press
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A heated debate has emerged about the once-unimaginable shooting of a teacher by her 6-year-old student: How should society take care of the teacher? Should she only get workers’ compensation? Or does she deserve millions of dollars for a school system’s alleged failures to protect her? Lawyers are expected to argue over those questions Friday in Newport News, Virginia. Abby Zwerner is suing the public schools for $40 million. Her lawyers are expected to ask the judge to allow her lawsuit to proceed. The school board is expected to argue for workers’ compensation. It provides up to 500 weeks pay and lifetime medical care for her injuries.