PITTSBURGH — A 10th-grade student is suing the Woodland Hills School District and Richard Novak, school district and substitute teacher, citing alleged assault and battery.
Paul Breakwell III, a minor, by and through his parent and legal guardian Paul Breakwell II, filed a complaint on Jan. 16 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas against the defendants, alleging they failed to provide a safe and secure environment for its students.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Oct. 24, 2017, he was a 10th-grade student enrolled and attending Woodlands Hills High School when he suffered severe physical injuries to his head, neck and back that required medical care and treatment.
The plaintiff holds Woodland Hills School District and Richard Novak responsible because defendant Novak, a substitute teacher, allegedly violently head-butted him, which the entire class observed, and because defendant school administrator allegedly failed to immediately contact his parents.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney's fees, costs and such other just and reasonable relief. He is represented by D. Aaron Rihn and Robert Daley of Robert Peirce & Associates in Pittsburgh.
The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Case No. is 19-783.