Student Paralyzed by Bullying Receives $4.2 Million Settlement from School

In Tennessee and all across the country, it seems like bullying in schools has become a bigger problem than ever. Many students have unfortunately had to face constant bullying and some of these incidents have even led to severe injuries or even suicide for the student that was bullied. If you or someone you love has been bullied at school or anywhere else and then suffered severe or life changing injuries as a result, you should talk to a Tennessee personal injury lawyer right away. These cases can be very difficult and it is important to gather evidence early.

According to this case, on May 16th of 2006, Sawyer Rosenstein was punched by a bully so hard that he fell to his knees. Then two days later, he screamed out in pain at home and has not walked since. Rosenstein was paralyzed from the waist down as the result of a clot that had been formed after the punch to his stomach resulted in a blow to a major artery. He also suffered scoliosis and other problems due to being paralyzed and had to have nineteen surgeries including a complete spinal fusion. These surgeries were nearly fatal for him.
In 2009, the Rosenstein family filed a lawsuit against the school board, administrators, and the boy who punched Sawyer. The family’s claims in the lawsuit include that school officials knew or should have known about that the boy who attacked Sawyer had a history of violent behavior based on information about him punching others in the past. The family settled with the student two years ago. Six years after the attack, the school board has agreed to a $4.2 million settlement for the Rosenstein family.

Students and people all across the country are bullied in their schools and other public places all too often. It even happens here to the residents of Tennessee. If you or someone you know has been bullied and you have suffered a severe or life-alternating injury because of it, we encourage you to contact one of our compassionate and experienced Tennessee personal injury and crime victim attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will work with you to see to it that you get the compensation you are entitled to for what you have been through.

Author Bio

Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.

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