Paralyzed NJ Teen Awarded $16M

A jury has awarded more than $16 million to a northern New Jersey teenager left paralyzed after a beating by a fellow high school student.

Anwar Patterson's mother filed the lawsuit in 2009 against the Irvington Board of Education. The suit claimed the student responsible for the beating had been suspended the day before but was allowed to return to school.

Danzell Ebron is now in prison for the crime.

The Star-Ledger of Newark reports the school board must pay about 80 percent of the monetary award and Ebron is responsible for the rest.

An attorney for the school board tells the newspaper he won't appeal the decision.

Patterson suffered brain damage from the attack and can't move his arms or legs.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)