Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe v. San Ramon Valley Unified Sch. Dist., No. MSC15-01908 (Cal. Super. Ct. Contra Costa Cnty. Jan. 15, 2019).

Doe, 15, participated in youth group outings with the New Life Church. Kevin Lopez, who was Doe’s high school wrestling coach, served as a youth group leader at the church. During church-sponsored activities, Lopez molested Doe. Doe’s parents later found incriminating texts on his phone, which led to Lopez’s arrest. As a result of his assault, Doe suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and depression.

Doe sued New Life Church of Alamo and the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, alleging neglience and violation of mandatory reporting laws. The plaintiff claimed that the defendants failed to report suspected abuse and conduct investigations after receiving complaints about Lopez’s alleged improprieties with minors. Additionally, the plaintiff alleged that the church was aware that Lopez had been seen cradling him in his arms during a mission trip but failed to act on this information.

The parties settled for more than $1.54 million. The church paid $849,000, and the school district paid the rest.

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Lauren Cerri and Robert Allard, both of San Jose, Calif.

Plaintiff experts: Lauren Ponton, psychiatry, San Francisco; and Fr. Thomas Doyle, sexual offenses, Vienna, Va.

Defense expert: Richard Shaw, psychiatry, Palo Alto, Calif.