St. Paul teacher officially sues district after violent assault

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - A St. Paul teacher is officially suing St. Paul Public Schools for failing to protect teachers and staff from student violence after he was attacked and injured by a student last December. 

John Ekblad, a teacher at Central High School, suffered a traumatic brain injury after he was assaulted by an 18-year-old student while trying to break up a fight. The student has since pled guilty to felony assault charges.

Ekblad is suing the school district for negligence and for failing to provide him with a violence-free workplace.

In a release, the law firm representing Ekblad said the school district was aware of there was a physical violence problem towards teachers, but failed to protect them and prevent future assaults.

BACKGROUND - Teacher's lawsuit against St. Paul Schools says colleagues fear more abuse