PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – A special education teacher is suing Salem-Keizer Public Schools over claims of disturbing violence in the classroom.
In September 2023, Lauren Eriksen started her position as an instructional aide for special education students at West Salem High School. But according to a lawsuit she filed against the district and the school’s administration, she was quickly put in an unsafe classroom.
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Since she started, Eriksen claims to have had several injuries from a few students — including several concussions and a bite so intense a chunk of her flesh was torn off and left a scar 10 months later.
The lawsuit also claims Eriksen had urine-soaked clothes thrown at her and recounts a student attacking her as well as another educator, lifting them up with their bodies flying into the air.
According to the suit, the district knew of these incidents and “failed to act,” adding that they also “created circumstances that exacerbated or worsened the danger.”