5 days ago
Jack Hulland families, Yukon gov't reach tentative settlement in holds and seclusion lawsuit
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Jack Hulland families and the Yukon government have reached a tentative settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit.
The scheduled trial was postponed on Monday for settlement discussions.
The lawsuit alleges that holds, restraints and seclusion rooms were used inappropriately at Jack Hulland Elementary School in Whitehorse from 2007 to 2022. It alleges that students suffered psychological damage to the point of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction issues respectively.
If the agreement goes through, hundreds of former students could be entitled to a payout.
Lawyers for both sides appeared before the Yukon Supreme Court on Wednesday.
James Tucker, a lawyer representing the families, told the court "discussions are going well" and an agreement in principle has been reached. It outlines how compensation will eventually be paid out to plaintiffs who file claims. Tucker asked for a further adjournment to put the agreement in writing and get final approval from the families and the government.
Once the settlement agreement is finalized, a notice will go out to all potential plaintiffs summarizing the general terms. They will have time to state objections or concerns to the agreement. The lawyers suggested this process could take several weeks.
The final settlement agreement will require court approval.
