Mom sues over alleged bullying at school

A Winnipeg mother who says her son was bullied is suing the St. James-Assiniboia School Division for failing to protect the boy.

It is believed to be the first time such a lawsuit has been filed in Manitoba.

Deborah Leblanc says school officials failed to intervene when another youngster allegedly attacked her son in class.

In a Statement of Claim filed in Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench Aug. 13, Leblanc claims her son Bryan, 13, was involved in an incident at Hedges Middle School in May 2008, while an educational assistant looked on.

LeBlanc said her son suffered skull and vertebrae fractures and suffers continuing brain damage as a result of the confrontation.

The injuries have significantly altered Bryan's behavior and abilities, the mother said.

"His personality is different," said Leblanc. "He gets angry and frustrated easier because the bleeding in his brain was in the front. That's the part where if you go to do something and you know it would probably be wrong to do that — like to say something or behave in a certain way — he's lost that."

Leblanc said she hopes the lawsuit will ensure teachers and supervisors are more vigilant in the future.

The St. James-Assiniboia school division says it will not comment on the case since it is before the courts.