Law Firm Wins Payment in Coach’s Disability Suit

A federal appeals court ruled that a nonprofit law firm should be reimbursed for legal fees for representing a disabled Westminster High School coach who sued the California Interscholastic Federation for prohibiting him from coaching baseball from his wheelchair.

The CIF reached a settlement with Barrios in 2000, awarding him $10,000 in damages and allowing him to continue coaching from his wheelchair. However, a federal court judge balked at awarding legal fees to the nonprofit legal center.