Students cut fingers on saw, sue school district

Two different legal actions have been taken against Huntington Beach school districts by students saying they cut their fingers on saws in class because of district negligence. The two cases are not related.

Huntington Beach High School student Patricia McCormack filed a lawsuit against the Huntington Beach Union High School District in late May.

The suit says she took a “grievous injury” to her left thumb from a table saw she was using in a technical theater class.

According to the suit, the teacher had already cut himself in class and had left the classroom to get medical attention.

Separately, a claim was filed against the Huntington Beach City School District in April, saying an unnamed Sowers Middle School student took serious injuries to his finger when he was using a band saw.

The claim — which must be filed before a lawsuit can take place — says the district and the class’ teacher were negligent in letting a minor use a band saw without correct supervision or instruction.

The claim asks for more than $500,000 in damages.

Efforts to reach lawyers for the district or the families for comment were unsuccessful.

— Michael Alexander