The family of Juan Carlos Rivera has settled their Coral Gables wrongful death lawsuit with the Miami-Dade School Board. A fellow student fatally stabbed Rivera in 2009.
Rivera and another student, Andy Rodriguez, reportedly bumped elbows and that was when the two Coral Gables Senior High students got into a fistfight. Rodriguez then stabbed Rivera numerous times, including one jab to the heart. According to prosecutors, the brawl was over a girl.
Rivera’s family had accused the high school of negligence, including poor supervision, inadequate security, and failing to properly determine which students were troubled. Meantime, Rodriguez has been found guilty of second-degree murder with a weapon. He will be sentenced later this month.
Already, the school board has paid $200,000 of the Miami-Dade wrongful death settlement. Its insurer has paid $500,000. The remaining balance will come after Rivera’s family files a claims bill with the Florida Legislature. As part of the settlement, the school board has agreed not to fight the bill.
Unfortunately, many schools have become dangerous places for students. School boards know this and it is their job to provide adequate security and supervision to minimize the chance of violent crimes, including physical assault, sexual assault, murder, and massacres, from happening. When failure to fulfill these duties results in Miami personal injury or death, the victim and his/her family may have grounds for a lawsuit. If the person that got injured is a minor, a parent or guardian can file the Miami-Dade personal injury lawsuit on his/her behalf.
Family of teen killed in Gables High stabbing settles suit for $1.8 million, Miami Herald, November 18, 2011
Miami-Dade Schools To Pay $1.875 Million In Gables High Stabbing, CBS Local, November 18, 2011
Miami-Dade School Board
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Miami-Dade Car Accident Lawsuit Filed in Florida Wrongful Death Case Against Coral Gables Teenager, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, October 7, 2011
Palm Beach Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in 2009 Jupiter, Florida Thanksgiving Shooting, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, September 16, 2011
$525,000 Ft. Lauderdale Wrongful Death Settlement Reached Between Broward County School Board and Family of Teen Fatally Shot in 2008 by Fellow Student, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, September 9, 2011