Pre-trial settlement in damage suit against Oconee schools

Oconee School District, through its insurance carrier, will pay $40 thousand to settle a lawsuit that arose from unruly behavior last spring in a classroom at West-Oak Middle School.  At the request of plaintiff’s attorney, Judge Lawton McIntosh approved the settlement for Deanna Lynn Swafford, the mother of a student who was hurt when he was knocked to the ground April 18 during a football game.  Plaintiff’s attorney Davis Rice said the boy’s injuries, including broken ribs, occurred in a football game played inside a classroom that was improperly supervised.  The award is framed as a structured settlement which creates an annuity for the boy when he reaches 18 years old and grants the mother $4,867 once the settlement is formally approved.  Medical bills in the case amounted to $5,900 and attorney’s fee is $13,300.