The Hillsborough County school district is ready to settle a 2013 lawsuit that concerns a 7 year-old learning-disabled child who fell through a ceiling at Robinson Elementary School in 2009.
Pending court approval, the district will offer parents Keith and Diane Coker of Plant City $200,000, the maximum allowed under the state’s sovereign immunity limits, according to a report this week to the School Board.
“It’s a straight negligence suit,” said Tom Gonzalez, attorney for the school district.
The lawsuit alleges Jacob Coker, who was having his medication adjusted for hyperactivity, climbed onto a classroom cabinet and into the ceiling.
His teacher knew he was there but was unable to go after him because of a bad back. She took the rest of the class to lunch and left him in the care of aides who were not trained in child restraint techniques, according to the suit.
The ceiling collapsed and Jacob fell, hitting his head.
The teacher is no longer with the school district.
Reach Marlene Sokol at (813) 226-3356 or msokol@tampabay.com. Follow @marlenesokol.
