A Florida judge over turned a jury's $4 million award to a elementary school age boy that was bullied at recess. The judge cut the award to $600,000.
Hillsborough County Circuit Judge William Levens wrote in his order that the boy's attorney delivered an "improper and unfairly prejudicial" closing argument. The attorney's words, Levens wrote, were inflammatory and focused on punishment rather than the facts of the case.
On Jan. 29, 2004, then-12-year-old Danny Heidenberg was at recess when he was tackled by another boy. Heidenberg's left arm was broken in two places, causing long-term injuries, his attorneys argued at trial.
The lawsuit, filed by the boy's parents, said there was no supervision and teachers at Hillel School of Tampa knew the other child was a bully. Hillel is a private school.
