Chapter 20 - Rachel’s civil settlement
Rachel and Drusilla mediated.
Caleb had no major physical injury.
He developed:
Sleep trouble.
Fear of locked spaces.
Short-term therapy.
No permanent diagnosis declared.
Settlement through homeowner/umbrella insurance was complicated by intentional-act exclusions.
Insurer covered defense and some negligence theories while reserving rights.
Eventually:
$85,000 gross settlement for Caleb.
After fees/costs:
Protected minor account.
Drusilla personally contributed:
$15,000 toward uncovered portion.
Insurer funded rest under settlement without admission of coverage on every theory.
Josie’s family settled separately for:
$42,000 gross.
Other parents:
Some refunds only.
Some no claim.
No giant class-action jackpot.
Then my civil claim for Elowen.
We chose not to pursue large tort litigation.
Why?
Insurance disputes.
Minor physical injury.
Family contact still under therapeutic review.
We reached limited settlement:
Drusilla reimbursed Elowen’s therapy costs not covered by insurance and paid $5,000 into a protected child account.
No NDA preventing safety disclosures.
No apology requirement.
May you like
Money was not the point.
But zero accountability was not right either.
