Case Results

DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.

Jacquelyn Loomis v. St. Margaret School

Location: Tappahannock, VA
Verdict/Settlement: settled through mediation
Injury: left shoulder
Medical bills: $30,000

Jacquelyn Loomis was injured by a teacher during her first year of high school. A teacher attempted an experiment on endorphins and put pressure on our client's arms. The student's, our client, arm "popped," resulting in a serious shoulder injury. The physical pain resulting from this injury caused our client to miss a significant amount of school, especially when the surgeries began.

School also became difficult for our client because of the numerous pain medications, as their side effects included nausea. As a result of the injury, Ms. Loomis fell behind in her work and spent the rest of high school and many summers trying to make up for incomplete grades. Our client was unable to take the more advanced classes because of those incomplete grades. She was also barred from participating in almost any sport, especially tennis, which she had looked forward to playing. Her parents were paying tuition so that she could receive a good education and be accepted into a prestigious college. However, because of the academic problems due to the injury, Jackie was unable to apply to college and currently attends community college.

School was made more difficult as the school refused to make things easier for Jackie. They teetered between pretending that the injury never occurred, blaming her for the injury, or suggesting that she was faking it. They were not supportive or understanding as Jackie underwent surgeries.

Most of the time, she was left to complete all the work that she had missed while away from school without the proper assistance to understand the material. The school and its teachers were unsympathetic, even treated Jackie with disdain, telling her to "get over" her injury.

This injury will continue to affect our Jackie's life. The surgeries also left scars, which are embarrassing for our client.
Many students would have simply left the school. I believe it is a testament to Jackie that she decided to do whatever it took to graduate. Her strong will will not only serve her well as she finishes her education, but will also take her far.
We mediated the case but it was not resolved because the insurance company did not have the appropriate authority to settle the case. The case was resolved during the second mediation.

Shoulder Diagram