Family Of Beaten Teenager Plans To Sue School

Oakland, CA — The family of a 17-year-old Iranian-American boy who was beaten in a high school bathroom is preparing to sue the school and school district.

A lawyer representing the family of Hassan Rahgozar has filed a “notice of claim” with the Hercules Middle/High School and West Contra Costa County Unified School District.

The notice is required before filing a civil lawsuit against a governmental agency or school.

The claim alleges Rahgozar was subject to ethnic slurs and an earlier beating and officials failed to adequately protect him.

Hassan´s family and their lawyers claim the attacks were racially motivated.

However, Hercules police have said that although racial slurs might have been spoken, police do not consider the attack racially motivated.

The beating gained national attention when it was posted in the Internet.