A student poked in the eye by a classmate with a pencil at the Don Bosco Academy five years ago is getting $175,000 under a settlement agreement.
Elijah N. Reyes, 11-year-old at the time, suffered serious and permanent injuries as a result of the incident, according to lawsuit filed by his parent Amaris Pagan.
On Apr. 8, 2014, Reyes was present with his teacher Patricia Calafiore in a classroom at the Don Bosco Academy, when another student, Luis Velez, allegedly acted “negligently and recklessly” and struck Reyes in the right eye with a pencil, according to the lawsuit.
Reyes’ injuries in the right eye caused him pain, suffering, and mental anguish, states the lawsuit. He also had to undergo surgery.
The lawsuit blamed the teacher, school, the district for “failing to provide reasonable supervision.”
School board members approved the settlement agreement on Nov. 26, 2019.
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This report was updated on Dec. 2, 2019.