Kamloops student sues teacher, school district after losing fingers in shop class

A Kamloops high school student and his guardian have filed a notice of claim in B.C. Supreme Court against a teacher and School District 73 after a woodworking shop class accident severed some of the boy’s fingers.

Amaryn Mahal was in grade eight at South Kamloops Secondary School when the accident happened. His teacher at the time, Susan Scallon, was allegedly out of the room on Nov. 3, 2016 when Mahal was operating the band saw which caused the injuries.

In the notice of claim, the student and his guardian claim he was left unsupervised and had not been given adequate safety training to operate the band saw.

It is noted Mahal now suffers from anxiety and depression in addition to the physical injuries. It is not clear how badly his fingers were injured.

Because Mahal continues to receive medical treatment for the injury, there is not yet a specific amount of damages listed that the student and his guardian are seeking.

It is noted that the injury has led to a loss of earnings and prospective earnings and has impacted the student’s enjoyment of life. There are additional punitive or aggravated damages that may be sought because the student allegedly had to ride to the hospital alone, and the next day Scallon had told the other students that Mahal’s injury was his own fault.

The notice of claim was filed on April 9, and the teacher and school board have 21 days to respond.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

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