Taylor & Ring Representing Client in Sexual Abuse Lawsuit against Former Assistant Principal at Highland High School
Taylor & Ring has filed a lawsuit in Kern County Superior Court on January 28, 2019 on behalf of their client, a former student of Highland High School, who claims that the Assistant Principal, Mark Weir, sexually abused him.
A story in Bakersfield Now reports on the details of the lawsuit, which alleges that the student, who was homeless, entered a school-sponsored homeless assistance program which Weir was administering in 2009. Weir invited the student to participate in the program and soon thereafter began sexually abusing him. The abuse continued until he left the school in 2011.
Court documents obtained by 23 ABC report that the complaint contains causes of action for sexual abuse of a minor; intentional infliction of emotional distress; sexual harassment; negligent hiring, supervision and retention of an unfit employee; breach of mandatory duty; failure to report suspect child abuse; negligent failure to warn, train or educate; negligent supervision of a minor and negligence. The suit alleges that the student was 16 years old in 2009 when he began attending Highland High School, and Weir was age 47.
“We are determined to hold Weir and the district responsible”
Dave Ring and Natalie Weatherford, along with attorney Paul Mones, are representing the student in the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that in 2009, “Weir took advantage of his position of authority over Plaintiff and engaged in a course of emotional and financial manipulation to exploit Plaintiff’s young age, fragile mental state and status as a homeless student during a particularly vulnerable time in Plaintiff’s young life.” The lawsuit also alleges that Weir created opportunities to be alone with the student such as in his car and behind the locked doors of his office.
The lawsuit names the school district in the lawsuit due to its failure to notice the signs of abuse, and Weir’s strange behavior. “As a direct result of the school’s negligence, this victim will forever suffer from this trauma and may never be able to conduct a normal, productive life,” said partner Dave Ring. “We are determined to hold Weir and the district responsible.”
Fighting on behalf of students, so their voices will be heard
The Los Angeles sexual abuse attorneys at Taylor & Ring are deeply committed to obtaining justice for each case they pursue, and they have won a solid reputation in the community for the work they do protecting the rights of children and adults who have been victimized by sexual abuse and sexual harassment. We have secured numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of students who were abused by school officials throughout California, in some of the most complex and high-profile cases in the country.
Naming your abuser and seeking justice for the harm they caused you is a courageous act. You can trust your case to the law firm that will stand with you and hold the abuser accountable. You can learn more about the Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyers of Taylor & Ring by calling 310-776-6390 or filling out our contact form.
Serving clients throughout the Greater Los Angeles and Southern California area, we represent victims in a variety of civil litigation cases. If you or a loved one has been injured, turn to an experienced Los Angeles personal injury or sexual assault lawyer.
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