Story perspectives

£23,000 Award for Racial Harassment; Childcare Lawsuit Filed

3/10/2026

Center

Hayes Wins Harassment Case

An employment tribunal awarded Bernadette Hayes, a bookkeeper, over £23,000 for racial harassment by Mick Atkins at West Leeds Civils after findings he shouted 'potato' in a strong Irish accent.
Hayes described the hostile environment as leading to her dismissal and a sick leave for stress.
Parents at Lil' Explorers Childcare Center filed suit against the center and former teacher Katie Voigt, seeking $50,000 per plaintiff for lasting emotional harm.

Right

Corbala Sues School

Amanda Corbala is suing the Clark County School District following the death of her 8-year-old son, Cruzito Tank Ruiz, who choked on pineapple at Bass Elementary School.
The lawsuit claims a teacher's aide ignored Cruzito's distress signals, including slapping his back and asking for help, and instead directed him to the bathroom.
Cruzito suffered an anoxic brain injury and died days later, prompting Corbala's legal team to assert that the district failed to train staff for choking emergencies.
The family seeks accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Hayes Wins Harassment Case

An employment tribunal awarded Bernadette Hayes, a bookkeeper, over £23,000 for racial harassment by Mick Atkins at West Leeds Civils after findings he shouted 'potato' in a strong Irish accent.
Hayes described the hostile environment as leading to her dismissal and a sick leave for stress.
Parents at Lil' Explorers Childcare Center filed suit against the center and former teacher Katie Voigt, seeking $50,000 per plaintiff for lasting emotional harm.

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