Shaylee Mejia, 16, died from injuries believed to have been suffered during a fight with a bully in a public school restroom, according to her mother. She says that Mejia suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage as a result of the fight at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles. The fight happened on March 5, 2024. Video footage taken by students that witnessed the fight show Meia hitting her head on a restroom stall before falling on the floor. Her mother, Maria Juarez, said that Shaylee complained about a headache for the next few days but continued going to school. The following Saturday, just four days after the fight, the teen attended a party where she fainted and was rushed to the hospital by a friend.
Shaylee remained unconscious until her death on March 15, 2024. According to her doctors, she died as a result of a hemorrhage caused by a brain injury.
Juarez claimed that her daughter often came home from school covered in bruises. Although she documented her daughter’s injuries, took pictures, and reported them to officials and school police, nothing was done. Shaylee had only been enrolled at Manual Arts High for eight months; she enrolled last Fall.
Juarez did not find out about the March 5th fight until after her daughter died. She blames her death of the school as she had already reported previous incidents to the school and to school officials. She claims that everyone, including teachers, knew that her daughter hit her head, but no one said anything.
The incident remains under investigation. The authorities are investigating claims that the teen fell down a flight of stairs the day of her hospitalization. It is unclear whether the investigation will look into the school fight and Juarez’s claims.
The principal of the high school, Alejandro Macias, made the following statement addressing the situation:
“I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students off campus. On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to those who are impacted by this loss, including the student’s family, friends, and teachers.”
These “fights” are relatively common. Although the word “fight” implies mutual combat, the truth is that many of these incidents are not mutual. That is, a student or a group of students threaten another student who may not want any conflict and ultimately attack or “jump” them. Many people argue that fights among students are just part of the high school experience. Although some conflict or “drama” between teens at school is common, these issues should never escalate so much to become physical and cause fatal injuries. When this does happen, it is a reflection of the school and the district’s negligence.
Unfortunately, if nothing is done to prevent student fights in schools, this will not be the last fight that leads to serious or fatal injuries. Here at our law firm, we believe that it is essential for both students and parents to know their rights. If you or your child suffered injuries in a school fight, you must seek legal help as soon as possible to learn more about the legal options available to you. Our team here at the Normandie Law Firm has decades of experience and are ready to guide you every step of the way. We are fully committed to fighting for the rights of victims and their families and getting them justice. For more information about your right to file a lawsuit for harm resulting from a fight at school, contact the experts here at our firm today.
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The Injuries that Students Could Suffer due to School Fights
Fights at school can lead to many different injuries, some of which could include the following:
- Head injuries, concussions, and brain injuries
- Facial injuries, like ocular injuries (eye injuries), broken teeth, broken nose, and broken jaw
- Neck injuries and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and dislocations
- lacerations
- Sprains and strains
- Scrapes and bruises
Considering that most fights can include punching, kicking, shoving, pulling, pushing, or slamming against walls or other objects, for example, these injuries are very likely. In addition, victims and their families may not immediately realize the severity of the injuries suffered, as some injuries can appear a few days later. The perfect example of this is a traumatic brain injury; initially, symptoms of a brain hemorrhage may just include a headache, but without treatment, the hemorrhage can worsen and ultimately lead to death.
Is the School Liable for Injuries from a School Fight?
Of course, the attacker or attackers can be held responsible for their intentional actions that harmed another student. However, can the school or the school district also be liable? The short answer is yes, the district could be liable for the harm caused by a school fight. This is because the district is essentially the overseeing entity – the district is responsible for making sure that schools remain safe for students. Of course, not every school has the same school fight issues, so it is important for the district to evaluate the situation at each school and take the necessary actions to reduce school fights.
Consider some of the possible actions that districts could take to reduce the risk to students:
- Increasing security personnel
- Increasing surveillance on campus (i.e., installing cameras, making sure cameras actually work, having supervision near high-conflict areas, like outside of restrooms, etc.)
- Responding to ongoing fights quickly, to put an end to them and get injured students the necessary care
- Notifying parents of the fights immediately
- Taking all reports of bullying and fights from students/parents seriously
- Having clear policies and procedures for dealing with reports of bullying/fights and actually implementing these policies and procedures
- Suspending or expelling students from schools or from the district
When school fights occur and result in serious injuries because of the school staff and district’s actions or inaction, then they can be liable for all resulting harm. That is, if the school staff/district knew or should have know of the fights, there was a history of fights or assaults among students, or the staff/district covered up incidents, then the district could be liable – and could be sued.
Can I Sue for Wrongful Death after a School Fight?
Yes, you could sue for wrongful death if injuries sustained during a school fight led to the death of your child or a member of your family. Your right to sue will be based on the negligence of the school and the district and whether they failed to protect their students from harm at the hands of other students. For more information about your right to file a lawsuit, do not hestiate to reach out to our lawyers as soon as possible.
Can I Recover Compensation for a School Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Yes, you could be entitled to receive compensation. Some of the categories of compensation available for recovery may include the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost pay
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral/burial costs
- Punitive damages
- Legal fees
Our lawyers are fully committed to getting our clients the maximum compensation available. Whether this means negotiating a settlement or taking a claim to trial to reach a verdict, our team is ready to go above it all to secure the highest payout available.
The Average Value of Wrongful Death Claims against School Districts – Depending on the details surrounding the claim, wrongful death claims can be worth between $150,000 to $500,000. In some cases, claimants could be awarded more than $500,000.
The Time it Takes to Settle these Cases – In general, wrongful death claims can be resolved in two years or less, although some may take longer to reach resolutions.
How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?
In the state of California, wrongful death claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, which give claimants two years to file your claims. However, claims against school districts are government claims, which are subject to a much shorter statute of limitations. Government claims are subject to a six-month deadline. Do not wait to find a lawyer to help you figure things out with your claim. Please reach out to our legal team as soon as possible.
Contact the Normandie Law Firm Today
Unfortunately, fights in high schools are frequent. Although most fights do not result in significant injuries, some fights have devastating consequences. If your child was seriously injured or died after a school fight, please contact us as soon as possible. We are committed to holding these negligent schools and school districts accountable for the harm that students suffer on campus as a result of school fights. We offer free consultations and free second opinions, which allow our team to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you need to begin or continue your claim. These free legal services are available as part of our Zero-Fee Guarantee, which ensures that our clients will never have to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, our firm works on contingency; therefore, our clients will not be required to pay anything if their claims are ultimately unsuccessful.
If you are ready to speak with our school wrongful death lawyers to learn more about your legal options, contact us today.
