Family of Autistic Man Sues, Claims Elim Christian School Didn't Protect Him from Injury

An autistic man and his parents are suing Elim Services, claiming his teachers did not protect him from a violent classmate.

Travis Ferguson and his parents, Alia Kiefer and Terry Ferguson, on Sept. 9 filed the lawsuit against the organization (formerly known as Elim Christian School), and teachers Jane Gizyn and Amanda Schultz-Griffin. The suit alleges that in January 2014, Ferguson was seated next to a classmate known for violent outbursts. The classmate allegedly knocked over his desk, which then landed on Ferguson’s foot, causing Ferguson to suffer seizures, “great physical pain and severe injuries to his foot, including a permanent limp,” reports the Cook County Record.

The teachers did not take adequate precautions to protect Ferguson, according to the suit.

The family seeks damages of more than $50,000.