SCRANTON — A parent is suing Krise Bus Service Inc., doing business as Sta Bus Co., citing alleged negligence and negligent hiring and retention.
A.L.B, parent of S.L.B., filed a complaint Aug. 3 in the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County, alleging that the transportation company failed to provide S.L.B with a safe means of transportation and ignored complaints related to the child's safety on the school bus.
According to the complaint, the then 13-year-old student was allegedly sexually assaulted on May 16, 2017 and May 25, 2017 by a fellow student, resulting in nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other issues caused by the alleged assault.
The plaintiff claims the bus service was negligent and reckless when it assigned S.L.B. to be seated with the person who allegedly assaulted her because it failed to take into account the fact that the latter had a long-standing history of problematic behavior.
In addition, the complaint said the school bus driver failed to observe and try to stop the alleged molestation. Also, the lawsuit claims the plaintiff's child told the driver that she had concerns with the seating arrangement, but was ignored.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages and a judgment in an amount in excess of the amount requiring compulsory arbitration, as well as any other relief the court deems proper. It is represented by Michael Lombardo and Nicole Santo of Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn PC in Kingston, Pennsylvania.
Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County case number 18-cv-3998