Our agency news (reported by Zhang Tailin) A senior female student surnamed Zhang, who was injured after jumping from a building in a panic when she was accused of cheating on an exam, filed a lawsuit against her school, Beijing Union University's Biochemical Engineering College (shortened as Biochemical College), claiming 76,000 yuan in compensation. The case was heard in Chaoyang Court yesterday morning. The surveillance video played in court became the basis for debate between both parties. The defendant, Biochemical College, filed a counterclaim, demanding that the plaintiff, Zhang, return 10,000 yuan in medical expenses that the school had prepaid.
The examination room surveillance video presented in court yesterday was provided by Biochemical College and recorded the entire process of Zhang taking the exam on January 8th this year, but there was no audio recording in the video.
The video showed that while answering questions, Zhang frequently looked down at her left hand, drawing the attention of the proctor. At 9:37 AM, the proctor approached Zhang and stopped her from continuing the exam. Afterwards, Zhang quickly stood up and walked towards the classroom door, but was blocked by the proctor. Zhang then took another test paper from the podium and threw it onto her own desk. At 9:41 AM, Zhang climbed onto the windowsill from her chair, opened the window, and jumped out.
Zhang's legal representative stated that Zhang jumped because the proctor prevented her from leaving the classroom and made sarcastic remarks, and the school did not take corresponding protective measures regarding Zhang's jump.
On the other hand, the school's representative introduced that after being caught cheating, Zhang jumped from the fourth-floor examination room window, fortunately landing on a third-floor platform. She was then sent to Chaoyang Hospital by school staff for treatment, where she stayed for 32 days. The school pre-paid 10,000 yuan for her medical expenses.
"Her self-harming behavior does not fall under national free medical care," the school counterclaimed against the plaintiff Zhang, demanding the return of the prepaid medical fees.
Zhang did not appear in court yesterday, and family members who came to observe refused to be interviewed about her condition. The school's representative introduced that afterwards, Zhang received a reprimand, but is still attending classes normally at school and will continue to take exams later this week.
Yesterday, the court did not make a judgment.
■ Trial Focus
1. The reason for Zhang's jump
Plaintiff's representative: When Zhang tried to leave, the proctor asked her to sign and confirm her cheating behavior and made sarcastic remarks. In emotional turmoil, Zhang retrieved her own test paper and tore it up before jumping out of the window.
Defendant's representative: Zhang's left hand was filled with chemical formulas, which were discovered by the teacher who then asked her to sign and confirm her cheating. During this process, Zhang suddenly rushed out of the classroom trying to erase the writing on her hand and was stopped. She then took another candidate's test paper from the podium. While the teacher was preventing her from tearing up the test paper and was distracted, Zhang jumped out of the window.
2. Responsibility for Zhang's jump
Plaintiff's representative: Zhang's refusal to sign and the proctor's prevention of her leaving constitutes an illegal restriction of the student's personal freedom. In such a situation, the school should have taken corresponding protective measures.
Defendant's representative: Zhang should cooperate with the proctor, and any objections to whether she cheated can be resolved through appeal channels. Jumping from the building was her personal action, and the school had no involvement in causing harm.