Portland Personal Injury Lawyer

In a mid-November rush to her art class at Beaumont Middle School, Shakiya, laden with books, approached a double door near the lunchroom and gymnasium. Attempting to open it with a foot push on the door bar, her anchored foot slipped on the slick floor, causing her raised leg to shatter the lower wired glass panel. This led to severe slashing injuries.

The wired glass, chosen for its resistance to shattering, proved to have significantly less impact resistance, posing a greater risk of serious injury. Despite being warned by the Superintendent of Public Instruction about documented injuries related to wired glass, Portland Public Schools (PPS) continued its use, knowing it could foreseeably cause severe and permanent physical injuries due to shards and wires remaining in place after impact.

PPS was aware of the high traffic in the corridor and the foreseeable actions of students, such as running, using feet or elbows to open doors, and playing or scuffling near the doors. The wired glass in the door, located in a high-traffic area between the cafeteria, gymnasium, outdoor exit, and classrooms, unreasonably increased the risk of severe injury.

Furthermore, PPS knew or should have known that the wired glass panel exceeded size limitations set forth in applicable state and federal fire and building code regulations, making it even less resistant to impact. A properly installed glass panel would have been at eye level for safety reasons and would not have extended below the panic bar.

Shakiya suffered multiple slicing lacerations, including a nearly four-inch deep and three-inch wide laceration, a 70% laceration of the Achilles tendon, and severance and disruption of nerves, arteries, and blood vessels. These injuries caused permanent impairment and disfigurement of her right leg.

A Multnomah County jury found PPS negligent and awarded Shakiya $222,000 in damages. However, due to tort limits, her compensation will be capped at $147,000. This case underscores the critical need for premises safety, especially in areas with high student traffic, and the legal obligation of institutions to address known hazards.