School board wants workers comp for teacher shot by boy, 6

By BEN FINLEY and DENISE LAVOIE
Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Virginia school district where a 6-year-old shot his teacher argues that her injuries fall under the state’s workers compensation act and cannot be addressed through her $40 million lawsuit. That’s according to court documents filed Wednesday by the Newport News School Board. Teacher Abigail Zwerner was shot in the hand and chest at Richneck Elementary in January. The school board said workers compensation provides her up to 500 weeks of compensation and lifetime medical care for injuries. Zwerner has refused to accept it. Her lawsuit accuses school officials of gross negligence leading up to the shooting.