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| Student forced to urinate in bucket wins $1.3m lawsuit | Student forced to urinate in bucket wins $1.3m lawsuit |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A California school district has been ordered to pay $1.25m (£994,000) to a former student who urinated in a bucket after she was denied a toilet break. | A California school district has been ordered to pay $1.25m (£994,000) to a former student who urinated in a bucket after she was denied a toilet break. |
| A Superior Court jury sided with the former student, who sued the district and a teacher over the 2012 incident. | A Superior Court jury sided with the former student, who sued the district and a teacher over the 2012 incident. |
| The district denied the student's initial $25,000 claim, in which she said the incident led to lewd texts, depression and a suicide attempt. | The district denied the student's initial $25,000 claim, in which she said the incident led to lewd texts, depression and a suicide attempt. |
| The school said the teacher had never intended to embarrass the student. | The school said the teacher had never intended to embarrass the student. |
| Rather, the teacher attempted to find a solution to what she mistakenly thought was a strict, no-toilet break policy, lawyers for the San Diego Unified School District said. | Rather, the teacher attempted to find a solution to what she mistakenly thought was a strict, no-toilet break policy, lawyers for the San Diego Unified School District said. |
| In a "lapse of judgment, she thought that was a good idea", said Katheryn Martin, the school district's attorney. | In a "lapse of judgment, she thought that was a good idea", said Katheryn Martin, the school district's attorney. |
| The Patrick Henry High School student, now 19, said her teacher Gonja Wolk had rejected her request to go to the bathroom, according to the lawsuit. | |
| Her request came during a 25-minute advisory class, in which Ms Wolf believed bathroom breaks were not permitted, lawyers said. | Her request came during a 25-minute advisory class, in which Ms Wolf believed bathroom breaks were not permitted, lawyers said. |
| Ms Wolf instead directed the student to use a supply room closet next to the classroom, where she could urinate in a bucket and empty it in a sink. | Ms Wolf instead directed the student to use a supply room closet next to the classroom, where she could urinate in a bucket and empty it in a sink. |
| "Something like this never should have happened to a 14-year-old girl just entering high school," said Brian Watkins, the student's attorney. | "Something like this never should have happened to a 14-year-old girl just entering high school," said Brian Watkins, the student's attorney. |
| "She took the stand and told a really embarrassing story. She told the jury how this has affected her life and how she is still working through issues." | "She took the stand and told a really embarrassing story. She told the jury how this has affected her life and how she is still working through issues." |
| The student was forced to transfer schools twice over bullying and still goes to therapy to work through the post-traumatic stress over the incident, Mr Watkins said. | The student was forced to transfer schools twice over bullying and still goes to therapy to work through the post-traumatic stress over the incident, Mr Watkins said. |
| As well as $1.25m, the jury awarded the girl $41,000 to cover medical expenses. | As well as $1.25m, the jury awarded the girl $41,000 to cover medical expenses. |
| The teacher was put on paid administrative leave and did not return to campus after the incident. | The teacher was put on paid administrative leave and did not return to campus after the incident. |
| The school also apologised to the student and her mother and clarified to teachers that bathroom trips were permitted, attorneys said. | The school also apologised to the student and her mother and clarified to teachers that bathroom trips were permitted, attorneys said. |
| The school district said it was "disappointed" by the verdict. | The school district said it was "disappointed" by the verdict. |
| "We, of course, are disappointed and will be considering in the next few weeks whether or not to appeal," said district spokeswoman Shari Winet. | "We, of course, are disappointed and will be considering in the next few weeks whether or not to appeal," said district spokeswoman Shari Winet. |