Legal action in Calvert County

[dks1240]

My mom has kept me posted on a recent issue brewing at St. Leonard Elementary. The Calvert Co School Board is presently being threatened by a 28 million dollar law suit. And here's why...

A girl in my little brother's class fell down at the playground. She hurt her wrist, the nurse called the parents, the mom came and picked the girl up from school, and the wrist ended up being broken. Now the parents are suing the school saying the nurse is racist because she didn't call the parents soon enough. (This is how I understand it, my mom works in the school and this is what they are telling her...also the local paper is apparently releasing the article today)

The parents have picketed outside the school the past couple of days with signs saying the nurse is racist. The parents are also passing out fliers that state the same thing. As it seems, the school board is just going to settle outside of the courts. And hopefully the nurse will be able to keep her job.

Here are my thoughts on this. The mom of the little girl does not work, the dad works at a local restaurant. Perhaps a case of money hungry parents? Also, my mom is fired up about this...in addition to working in the school, my little sister and brother both attended/attend this school and she feels she knows this nurse very well and the nurse treats all the kids equally. The ironic thing about all of this is just a few years ago the SAME exact situation happened to my little sister. She fell on the playground and slightly broke her wrist. The nurse didn't even call my mom because she didn't think the wrist was broken and my family is of the same race as the nurse.

Anyway, I wonder how much money the schools are going to have to fork over for this. I won't completely take sides until I read the article this family is releasing but it will take a lot of convincing. The school board has never been faced with these accusations so, according to the woman in charge of the investigation, they just want to settle this outside of the courts. What do you guys think about all this?

[portisizzle]

As a general rule, Lawyers are the downfall of our society. That is what I have to say.

[rictus58]

A broken wrist is worth $1k tops. Unless it's preventing her from attending the Peabody Institute to study Piano. Then it's worth slightly more.

[Larry]

Have your Mom call the media.

IMO, the media, nowdays, really sucks at finding facts for their stories. But they seem to have this idea that if they show sound bites from opposing "sides" then they can claim to be "neutral". I'd bet that the media are out there looking for someone to be the "spokesman" for the other side.

(I'd recommend, if she gets interviewed, that she leave out the attacks against the complaining Mom. The whole "She's unemployed, so she must be money hungry" thing comes across as an attack against the complainer. (And possible a racist one, in The World of PC.))

But I'd bet the media would love a clip of another parent saying "the same thing happened to my daughter, and the nurse used her judgment, and it doesn't look racist to me."

[Gallntfox]

I live in Calvert. When a shed gets broken into it makes the paper.

[dks1240]

Have your Mom call the media.

IMO, the media, nowdays, really sucks at finding facts for their stories. But they seem to have this idea that if they show sound bites from opposing "sides" then they can claim to be "neutral". I'd bet that the media are out there looking for someone to be the "spokesman" for the other side.

(I'd recommend, if she gets interviewed, that she leave out the attacks against the complaining Mom. The whole "She's unemployed, so she must be money hungry" thing comes across as an attack against the complainer. (And possible a racist one, in The World of PC.))

But I'd bet the media would love a clip of another parent saying "the same thing happened to my daughter, and the nurse used her judgment, and it doesn't look racist to me."

I am encouraging my mom to do so. I think she'll do it now that the story is released to the public. She also feels horrible for the nurse involved.

[Blighty Skins]

How can a broken wrist be worth 28 million?? I hope they don't win otherwise most you'll see kids flying in the playground...probably thrown by their parents in the hope of them breaking their wrist...FOR 28 MILLION??? So if one breaks it's leg..what...250 million??? I wanna move to the US so I can fall on something and become rich!! :laugh:

[rictus58]

I wanna move to the US so I can fall on something and become rich!! :laugh:

You don't have to move here. Just visit and fall on something. You'd have lawyers lining up outside the ER.

[zoony]

I understand why institutions settle out of court.

But at some point, they need to collectively grow a pair and start fighting this nonsense.

....

[Blighty Skins]

You don't have to move here. Just visit and fall on something. You'd have lawyers lining up outside the ER.

Booking my ticket now...gonna fall on a suitcase when I get to a New York airport.

[flashback]

My 8-year-old son threw up in class yesterday (stomach flu), and I had to l pick him up. I wonder how much I should sue for?

On a more serious note, this is why all playgrounds will eventually be made out of rubber and foam in the future.

I think the school has some protections against liability when a kid gets hurt on the grounds, unless the circumstances are extraordinary in some way. So the parents aren't going to get $1,000. But the racist thing is probably not covered. The district should have a lawyer on staff, so defending this in the preliminary stages might not cost them anything over their operating budget, but if the family hires an ambulance chaser, they could make it very cost-effective for the district to settle this case. Whether or not an insurance policy is involved makes a big difference, too.

On an unrelated note, why would a racist become a school nurse in Calvert Co, MD?

[Gallntfox]

As many of you know I own an insurance/financial services business. I have a client in Calvert County who had their child push down another child on the playground breaking the child's arm. The family of the injured child sued the family and my claim office ended up paying $7000 to settle the claim under the family liability coverage on their homeowner's policy. That may seem like a lot of money but it far outweighs the cost of litigation and the chance of what a jury may award.

Now in this particular instance it seems that the family is more concerned over the mistreatment because of the alleged racial bias than actually recouping damage for medical payments and the actual injury itself.

[dks1240]

Now in this particular instance it seems that the family is more concerned over the mistreatment because of the alleged racial bias than actually recouping damage for medical payments and the actual injury itself.


Exactly. And I was thinking to myself, would the parents have more luck suing the school for the actual injury instead of suing the school for allegedly being racist? :whoknows:

[rictus58]

On an unrelated note, why would a racist become a school nurse in Calvert Co, MD?

I'm sure you'll find racists in all walks of life.
A racist ran for the President in 1991.

[Gallntfox]

Exactly. And I was thinking to myself, would the parents have more luck suing the school for the actual injury instead of suing the school for allegedly being racist? :whoknows:

The school board has insurance and lawyers as well. We paid out $7000 for a broken arm...that's a far cry from 28 million.

[Gallntfox]

Now I will be interested in reading the article to know exactly what the nurse did and/or said to have the parent claim that the lack of treatment was racially motivated. I will reserve judgment until that time.

[stevenaa]

The nurse will loser her job before it's all over. They'll settle out of court and make her the scapegoat. Your mother should definately speak up.

[Blighty Skins]

Where is the racism in not notifying the parents "early enough"? And anyway...didn't the nurse notify the parents?...but I still don't make the connection with racism. Maybe bad judgement? Racism seems far fetched. So if I fart and fail to notify the person behind me...is that considered racism?

Weird...

[dks1240]

Now I will be interested in reading the article to know exactly what the nurse did and/or said to have the parent claim that the lack of treatment was racially motivated. I will reserve judgment until that time.

I believe it's The Independent that is suppose to be releasing the article. My mom glimpsed through the paper today and didn't see it, however she has my 19 month old niece with her and thoroughly reading the newspaper might not happen till nap time.

[Cyber Pimp]

What a shame. Its just a broken wrist. I live in Prince Fredrick and I havent heard anything about that.

[Gallntfox]

I believe it's The Independent that is suppose to be releasing the article. My mom glimpsed through the paper today and didn't see it, however she has my 19 month old niece with her and thoroughly reading the newspaper might not happen till nap time.

I get the Recorder delivered to the house...I'll keep an eye out for the story.

[Cskin]

Welcome to the new America.... where everyone is out to make a buck.... truth be damned. This type of litigation will not stop until Tort reform is passed.... where conniving deceitful people will start running the risk of paying the court (attorney) costs for bring frivolous lawsuits against innocent parties.

Suing over a broken arm.... you hope that's the worst thing that happens to your child as they grow up. :doh:

[Blighty Skins]

Welcome to the new America.... where everyone is out to make a buck.... truth be damned. This type of litigation will not stop until Tort reform is passed.... where conniving deceitful people will start running the risk of paying the court (attorney) costs for bring frivolous lawsuits against innocent parties.

Suing over a broken arm.... you hope that's the worst thing that happens to your child as they grow up. :doh:

This is an excellent idea and sounds totally fair...what's stopping them implementing it?

[DjTj]

Welcome to the new America.... where everyone is out to make a buck.... truth be damned.America has always been about making a buck, but I would agree that people are too quick to go to court these days.
This type of litigation will not stop until Tort reform is passed.... where conniving deceitful people will start running the risk of paying the court (attorney) costs for bring frivolous lawsuits against innocent parties. The law actually already awards attorney costs for frivolous law suits. Also, tort reform wouldn't really affect this case because they're not suing for the tort (the broken arm - a few thousand dollars tops) but for a civil rights violation (racism - you can just make up a number).

It should be that a big institution like a school district should be more willing to fight these kinds of cases because they have deeper pockets and more resources, but I guess everyone is very risk-averse and sensitive to bad publicity, and I suppose they don't really lose anything if they already have liability insurance.

[airborneskins]

I live in Calvert. When a shed gets broken into it makes the paper.
:laugh: sad but true!


On an unrelated note, why would a racist become a school nurse in Calvert Co, MD?
Unfortunately there are many racists in Calvert County.

[Cyber Pimp]

Since a few of us live in Calvert. We need to hook up and watch some games at Skores Grill or Roberts next season. We can party at my house.

[airborneskins]

Since a few of us live in Calvert. We need to hook up and watch some games at Skores Grill or Roberts next season. We can party at my house.

You know that we will soon have a Greene Turtle in Prince Frederick.. :)

[Cyber Pimp]

You know that we will soon have a Greene Turtle in Prince Frederick.. :)

Where? Will it be across from the Holiday Inn Express? They are building a put put golf center there.

[Midnight Judges]

There must be more to this story. Accidents don't equal racism.

[Bang]

Lusbian here. This is the first I have heard of this.
Anyone for an egg drive-by on the picketers?

~Bang

[Gallntfox]

You know that we will soon have a Greene Turtle in Prince Frederick.. :)


You just made my whole year if that is the case. Where is it going to be? I am tired of driving up to Edgewater for Terps bball games with the boys.

I knew they were supposed to put in a Jaspers by the new hotel...but Greene Turtle??? WTF???? :cheers:

[Cskin]

I think the penalty for crying "racism" where none exists should be painful as well... either in the form of forced jail time AND or monetary penalties. Now a days... people use the cry of racism as a means to add to their bank accounts.

Heck... just the above alone will make disappear the likes of Rev. Jack-SON, Sharpton, and others. They've made millions claiming racism where a lack of evidence proved otherwise.

[dfitzo53]

I think the penalty for crying "racism" where none exists should be painful as well... either in the form of forced jail time AND or monetary penalties. Now a days... people use the cry of racism as a means to add to their bank accounts.
Jail time? That's hardly productive.

[Bang]

I think the penalty for crying "racism" where none exists should be painful as well... either in the form of forced jail time AND or monetary penalties. Now a days... people use the cry of racism as a means to add to their bank accounts.

Heck... just the above alone will make disappear the likes of Rev. Jack-SON, Sharpton, and others. They've made millions claiming racism where a lack of evidence proved otherwise.


Good luck. The second you try to tell one of these folks that there isn't anything there.. you get the dreaded scarlet R tattooed on your forehead as well.

These people are looking to cash in, and using their daughter's pain and color to do it. At the risk of painting with a broad stroke here, they ruin it for those who truly ARE discriminated against.
The worst kind of trash.

~Bang

[drums and skins]

Since a few of us live in Calvert. We need to hook up and watch some games at Skores Grill or Roberts next season. We can party at my house.

hell yea!



Greene Turtle? Wierd. Maybe thats going across from where the mama lucia's is? Anyways, I'm excited about the five guys opening (friday!). Oh, I work at Nick's. Come buy your booze from me (beer, wine & liquor stocker). Its cheaper, I guarantee it. ;)


by the way, this lawsuit is a crock of ****. I remember it was a big story back in '98 when a friend of my brothers got arrested at the NHS commencement because he walked out after prayer broke out. But the joke was on the state of maryland because he wasn't read his rights and he settled out of court for something like 15 to 30 thousand. That was national news then :laugh:.... But 28 million...thats just...ludicrous. Thats more than the county's budget!...so it would seem atleast.

[SkinsOrlando]

Using the race card will soon = boy who cried wolf and those truly discriminated against won't be listened to.

[herrmag]

Using the race card will soon = boy who cried wolf and those truly discriminated against won't be listened to.

Agreed. I think you're seeing the repercussions already. In the mid to late 90's, racism meant money. Nowadays, people are starting to say "okay, here we go again!".

I realize this thread is only 3 pages long, but I've yet to read (though I probably missed) their reasoning behind the racism.

[Zguy28]

I just heard from a coworker that a cop was shot on rt 4 last night in Calvert. Don't know any details yet...:(

[drums and skins]

I just heard from a coworker that a cop was shot on rt 4 last night in Calvert. Don't know any details yet...:(

Other way around, actually.

http://www.nbc4.com/news/10721905/detail.html

It'll be interesting how that ends up. (I find ironic in that nbc4 names the article and says that it is detail (.html)...so few details were in there.)

[Gallntfox]

It's about time us people from Calvert County got our own thread for breaking news!

[drums and skins]

It's about time us people from Calvert County got our own thread for breaking news!:laugh:...though I don't think thats a good thing, really. ;)...

But I guess a little press every now and then is the price we pay for the really easy trip to FedEx field (thank god we don't have to take the beltway!).

[dks1240]

The article was in The Recorder today for all of you who have access. The dad is claiming the girl was discriminated against because their were two white children occupying the cots when she went into the nurses office and the nurse wouldn't let her lay on a cot because she was showing favoritism to the white kids there.

Also the dad is claiming the girl had to take test the other children weren't required to take. The dad somehow is failing to realize the girl had to take these test because this is her first year in public school; she was home-schooled up until this school year.

[Gallntfox]

Thanks dks...If you click the link there's a picture of the parents picketing outside of the school. Perhaps it's telling that he said he KNEW something like this would happen if he placed is daughter in a public school. It will be interesting to see how the investigation plays out and if the parents decide to bring a lawsuit. In the meantime, I am going to sue him for naming his daughter Bathsheba...poor kid.

Here's the full article...

http://www.somdnews.com/stories/011207/reccri165833_32105.shtml

A St. Leonard couple is accusing St. Leonard Elementary School of racism, claiming their fifth grade daughter was discriminated against on several occasions due to the color of her skin.
Harold and Chante Hodge, the parents of Bathsheba Hodge, 10, picketed St. Leonard Elementary School Monday, Jan. 8, with signs reading ‘‘Treat colored children in schools equally,” and ‘‘Racism in schools must go.”

‘‘We are trying to bring awareness to the public how racism is practiced ... especially towards our daughter,” Chante Hodge said.

According to Harold Hodge, he and his wife are threatening to sue the school for mistreating their daughter Bathsheba Hodge, who prior to the school year was homeschooled by her parents.

In an interview at The Calvert Recorder office, Hodge said he knew something like this would happen and that is why he and his wife hesitated before placing their daughters in public school. The Hodge’s younger daughter is still home schooled.

Since the original complaint in November, Hodge has yet to hire an attorney or file a lawsuit regarding this matter.

According to Hodge, Bathsheba fell outside during recess in November resulting in a broken wrist.

Hodge claims his daughter was mistreated by the school nurse based on color. He said Bathsheba was given ice for the injury and sent back outside.

Hodge said her daughter was not asked in the nurses office if she wanted to lie down. He said ‘‘white” students occupied two of the beds at the time.

Superintendent of Calvert County public schools Jack Smith said the incident which Hodge complained about was investigated as any other incident would be investigated.

‘‘When a parent calls, we are always going to investigate,” Smith said.

Hodge said he requested the administration not speak with his daughter about the incident or question her in any way.

Smith said it is part of the investigation process to speak with children about incidents as well as any adults involved in the incident. From the investigation, the school system then reports back to the parent, which Smith said was done.

Smith said not every parent will be satisfied with the results, but he said the school system follows policy and procedure.

Harold Hodge also claims that his daughter had to take several tests that her peers did not have to take and some of these tests were not on her grade level. He said this was done because of race.

Robin Welsh, assistant superintendent for administration and legal services for Calvert County public schools, said all students who come into the public school system from a home school environment are tested to find out about the student’s abilities.

‘‘We are required to test them to determine grade level,” Welsh said.

contd...

[Seabee1973]

Sounds like money hungry parents to me

[Titaw]

This kind of crap happens all of the time in Calvert. I am not a racist in the least and most of the white citizens in Calvert aren't as well. However, there is a high concentration of the Al Sharpton/Jesse Jackson crowd. What I mean by this is that there is a select group of black individuals that believe that anything that doesn't go their way is some way the white man's fault that live in Calvert County. This pisses me off that people harbor those types of feelings. I know that there are alot of individuals that are 40 and up that have had to seal with segregation and serious racism. Those days are gone and if, we keep teaching our children that the reason things aren't going the ways you have planned is because another race of people are preventing that to happen, racism will never die.

Look, there may be some merit to this story, but more often than not, ther is no merit to these allegations. It just amazes me that is Calvert County this makes the news, but when you have a questionable death that could in fact be a homicide and the cops perform the worlds WORST investigation, it is swept under the rug and nobody wants to talk about it.

[Cskin]

What I mean by this is that there is a select group of black individuals that believe that anything that doesn't go their way is some way the white man's fault that live in Calvert County.
This is becoming more and more prevalent and is further muddying the waters. Being called a racists where no racists feelings reside can quickly sour relations. It's happening all over the nation... a byproduct of the "shakedown" money making vehicle executed and profited by the likes of Jackson, Sharpton, Waters, etc...etc..etc.

Whomever mentioned the "cry wolf" philosophy is dead on.