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LUBBOCK, Texas — A federal lawsuit against the Lubbock Independent School District regarding the Evans Middle School cheerleaders who suffered second and third-degree burns after performing “bear crawls” on a hot outdoor track as a punishment was dismissed on Friday.
PREVIOUS STORY: Lubbock ISD sued over cheerleaders’ burn injuries from hot track punishment
EverythingLubbock.com previously reported in October 2024, the girls were told to do bear crawls and crab walks for over a mile. One of the parents told EverythingLubbock.com they went to the track to check the temperature that afternoon, and it was at least 125 degrees.
The lawsuit sought compensation for physical pain, medical expenses, reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and more. The complaint brought Section 1983 claims, alleging violations of the Fourteenth Amendment. However, the judge granted summary judgment to Lubbock ISD.
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United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix held that the coach’s actions were a form of corporal punishment. However, court documents stated a student cannot bring a Section 1983 claim for excessive corporal punishment if state law provides an adequate remedy. Since Texas allows civil suits against a teacher using excessive force, the court held the cheerleaders had remedies available under state law. Court documents specified that remedy would be a lawsuit against the coach herself, not the school district…