How to Sue a School District for Discrimination
In the United States, laws against discrimination have been in place for over 50 years. Nevertheless, acts of discrimination are still prevalent. Discrimination occurs when someone is treated poorly and unfairly on the basis of:
- Age
- Race
- Gender
- Sexual Orientation
- Religion
- Disability
If you believe you’ve been discriminated against by your school, you are entitled to pursue legal action against your school district and receive compensation for damages. For example, a transgender student sued Minnesota’s Anoka-Hennepin School District for discrimination against his gender identity. As a result, the school district paid $300,000 to settle the lawsuit. In another case, Pennsylvania’s Erie School District paid $75,000 in damages for discrimination against autism.
If your claim is for $10,000 or less, you can sue your school district in small claims court. In contrast to state and federal courts, the small claims court process is faster and cheaper.
In this article, we’ll discuss what constitutes discrimination, the general procedure for suing a school district, and how you can sue anyone through without a lawyer!
Which Federal Laws Can Protect You Against Discrimination?
If you have been a victim of discrimination, you can file a claim against your school district for breaking these federal laws:
| Federal Law | Detail |
| The Civil Rights Act of 1964 | The Act protects students, employees, and job applicants from discrimination by any school district. |
| Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 | The Act prohibits school districts from discriminating against employees and applicants age 40 and above. |
| The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 | The Act prohibits discrimination against women on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or any linked medical conditions. |
| The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 | The Act prohibits discrimination against students and employees with disabilities. |
The Procedure for Suing Your School District
Immediately upon being discriminated against, file a complaint and determine whether the case can be resolved internally with the school district. If an agreement cannot be reached, proceed to file a lawsuit against your school district. Follow these steps to make it happen:
| Step | Detail | Timeframe |
| Step 1:
Document Your Evidence | Compile a list of evidence including but not limited to:
| Immediately. |
| Step 2:
Prepare a Notice of Claim | A notice of claim refers to a written notification stating your intent to sue. Include the following in your notice:
| You must file a notice of claim within 60-90 days, depending on your state laws (statutes of limitations). |
| Step 3:
File a Lawsuit in Court |
| In general, you must attend a court hearing 30-60 days after filing a notice of claim, depending on your state laws. |
Issues With Filing a Lawsuit By Yourself
If you are preparing to file a lawsuit by yourself, keep in mind that you may face considerable difficulties throughout the process. According to recent statistics, approximately 33% of discrimination lawsuits are lost by the plaintiff each year in the U.S. due to poor planning, legal counseling, and organization.
Take Your School District to Small Claims Court with DoNotPay
If you’re looking to sue your school district, can expedite the process for you. Not only can DoNotPay mail the demand letter, but also help you get the necessary forms to file in small claims court and give you a script to prepare on the day of the hearing. You can take legal action against your school district with the help of DoNotPay in 4 easy steps:
- First, log in to and select the Sue Now Product
- Then, Enter the dollar amount you are owed
- Next, select whether you want a demand letter or court filing forms
- Finally, Describe the reason for the lawsuit and submit any applicable details, including photo proof and a statement
That’s it! DoNotPay will handle all of the busy work for you and ensure your papers contain all of the information needed to win.
The AI Lawyer You Can Rely On
DoNotPay has a track record of helping people sue big corporations or their next-door neighbors. Some of the companies we have helped sue include:
- ATT
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- And so much more!