Matter of James Cotter v Board of Education of Garden City Union Free School District Board of Education
Back in 2008, I wrote about a Nassau County Supreme Court Decision (J. Feinman) which held that the Garden City School District did not have to defend or indemnify a teacher involved in a fight with another teacher while they were grading Regent’s exams. (You can read that post here.)
The Second Department reversed the prior determination and ordered the school district to defend the teacher who was the target of a civil suit.
This Article 78 case was brought about to review the determination of respondent denying petitioner’s request to defend and indemnify himself in an action pending in Supreme Court. The Supreme Court originally denied the petition and dismissed the motion which resulted in this Article 78 appeal.
Petitioner was involved in a physical altercation with a fellow teacher while grading Regents examinations in the school library. Petitioner was in charge of a group of teachers and directed his co-worker, Philip McCarthy, to sit down and continue grading papers. McCarthy then threw water at petitioner and petitioner proceeded to place him in a head-lock. After this incident, McCarthy filed a civil action against petitioner to recover damages for the assault and respondent refused to defend and indemnify the petitioner.
The Court feels that it was unreasonable for the respondent to deny petitioner’s request due to the circumstances of the altercation. The incident occurred on school grounds while the petitioner and McCarthy were on duty grading exams and therefore could not be considered “wholly personal”.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court reversed the judgment, granted the petition, annulled the determination and directed respondent to defend and indemnity petitioner in the subject action.
To read about more Article 78 cases go to http://www.sheerinlaw.com/?id=78.
For other interesting information in the personal injury file go to www.negligenceatty.com.