HANCOCK COUNTY — Eastern Hancock Schools was named in a lawsuit filed by a Fort Wayne woman who says she was attacked by one of the district’s students.
The alleged fight took place away from the school grounds in Charlottesville; but Christina Martin of Fort Wayne says the district should have to pay for its students’ actions.
She’s asking for an unspecified amount of money from the district as damages for her injuries, hospital and medical expenses and lost wages, according to court documents.
Martin is being represented by David Lutz of Fort Wayne. The claim for damages, which outlines a petitioner’s complaint, was filed in Hancock County Superior Court 1 last month.
Allegations in a civil lawsuit are the opinion of the person filing and can be refuted in court.
Martin says she was working as a custodian at New Castle Middle School in August 2016 when the attack occurred, court documents state.
In the lunchroom, an Eastern Hancock High School student, who was participating “in a special work program” at the Henry County middle school, became angry and violent, Martin says.
The student “physically attacked” Martin by “throwing her against the wall, grabbing her by the neck and slamming her to the ground,” court documents state.
Though the student was away from Eastern Hancock, the child was still the district’s responsibility, and school officials should have done a better job monitoring him and warning Martin of possible issues, the claim states.
“The defendants had responsibility over (the) student,” the claim states. “The defendants were aware that the student had anger issues and could be violent. The defendants failed to supervise the student, they failed to maintain control over the student and failed to warn (the) plaintiff of the student’s anger issues and violence issues.”
Martin sustained physical injuries, some of which may be permanent, her claim states. She continues to suffer from pain.
She incurred hospital and medical bills that will likely continue to grow as she continues treatment. She’s also suffered loss of wages, the claim states.
In addition to Eastern Hancock Schools, the lawsuit also names the district’s board, the Hancock County Board of Commissioners and the county council, records show.
The parties have been summoned to court. The district is expected to respond to the claim in the following day, records show.
Eastern Hancock’s superintendent Dr. Vickie McGuire did not return a request for comment.