July 11, 2022

C. Achay v. Huntington Beach Union High School District, G060053 (June 28, 2022) 

 After her sports practice, a tenth-grade student left campus. When she returned to campus that same afternoon, the tenth grader was stabbed by a former student. The tenth grader sued the School District, alleging that the District breached its duty to provide proper security on campus. The trial court granted the District’s summary judgment motion and the student appealed.

The Court of Appeal reversed. The court held that the District owed the student a duty of care because she was stabbed while on campus during “school-related or encouraged functions.” That the student left campus and later returned had no effect on whether the District owed her a duty because she was stabbed on school grounds during ongoing after-school sports activities. The court further held that a factfinder could conclude that had campus supervisors been present, the tenth grader would have sought their protection.