May 5, 2006
Jeffrey Woodard, et al. v. Jupiter Christian School, et al.
Case Number(s):
SC05-1986
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Transcript:

Summary:

Mr. Woodard and his mother sued Jupiter Christian School and its chaplain after Mr.
Woodard was expelled because he had confided in the school chaplain that he was gay. The lawsuit claimed Mr. Woodard and his mother suffered emotional distress arising out
of a breach of confidential information. The school argued that there was no basis for a
lawsuit, in part because of a legal doctrine known as "the impact rule" which limits
lawsuits for emotional harm to cases where the emotional harm is based on physical
injury. The trial court agreed and, when Mr. Woodard appealed, the 4th District Court of
Appeal upheld the lower court. But the 4th DCA also certified the issue as a question of
great public importance for this Court to review.