Virginia First-Grade Teacher Fights for $40M in Damages After Being Shot by 6-Year-Old

Abby Zwerner, a first-grade teacher in Virginia who was shot by a six-year-old student, appeared in court as she seeks $40 million in damages from Newport News Public Schools. Zwerner alleges gross negligence by school administrators, claiming they ignored warnings that the boy had a gun in his backpack. The school board argues that her injuries fall under workers' compensation, limiting her compensation to 10 years' pay and limited medical benefits. The judge will decide whether the case should proceed to trial or be handled by the workers' compensation commission. The mother of the six-year-old shooter is also awaiting sentencing for felony child neglect.