Judge Allows $40M Lawsuit by Virginia Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Student to Proceed

A judge in Virginia has ruled that a $40 million lawsuit filed by a teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student can move forward. Abigail Zwerner, a first-grade teacher, was shot in the hand and chest in January at Richneck Elementary School. The lawsuit alleges that the school board and administrators ignored warning signs and were aware of the student's history of violence. The school board had argued that the injuries fell under workers' compensation, but the judge disagreed, stating that being shot by a student is not unique to the job of a first-grade teacher.