Judge: Lawyers can gather evidence for $40M lawsuit filed by teacher who was shot by 6-year-old

By BEN FINLEY
Associated Press

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A judge in Virginia has ruled that lawyers for a teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student can start the process of interviewing eyewitnesses and reviewing the boy’s disciplinary file for a $40 million lawsuit against the school system. But the judge is yet to decide whether Abby Zwerner’s case will end up in a civil courtroom or before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. The Newport News School Board argues that Zwerner suffered employment-related injuries. Workers’ compensation provides up to 500 weeks of benefits and lifetime medical care for injuries. During a hearing on Friday, Newport News Circuit Court Judge Matthew Hoffman said he will hold a hearing on the workers compensation matter in late October.