Sharif Gray · Zachary Grubaugh · Lara Bradshaw · Gray Broughton · Nathan Hittle
Clark v. Grafton School, Inc. & Michelle Yates
March 31, 2026 ||
Defendant Grafton School is a psychiatric residential treatment facility serving children ages 6–21. Defendant Michelle Yates was a Grafton employee and residential manager, who dragged the 13-year-old Plaintiff with severe pre-existing trauma (PTSD, sexual abuse history, ADHD) by a shirt wrapped around his head and neck across a dormitory floor on December 21, 2022, then deposited him into a hallway, leaving him unsupervised where he attempted to strangle himself. Surveillance footage of what occurred in the hallway was recorded and observed by law enforcement during a criminal investigation, but not preserved by Defendant Grafton or available during trial.
Damages were almost entirely non-economic: Zero medical bills, zero economic damages, superficial physical injuries (bruises on arms), no expert damages testimony, no treating physician testimony on causation. There were three damage witnesses (plaintiff, father, uncle). Pre-existing psychiatric conditions and the intangible nature of the damages (“loss of trust”) made causation difficult. Defendants raised self-defense, contributory negligence, outside-scope-of-employment, and “no harm” defenses.
Settlement history: $60K offer (two years post-filing) → $500K pre-trial → $250K reduction mid-trial.
Verdict: $20M unanimous.
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