California Teen Dies from Brain Injuries after a High School Fight – School Assault Wrongful Death Lawyers
California Teen Dies from Brain Injuries after a High School Fight
Shaylee Mejia, 16, has died from injuries that she sustained during a fight with a bully inside a school restroom earlier this month, according to her mother. Mejia suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage resulting from severe fights at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles.
The fight occurred on March 5, 2024. Videos of the fight show Mejia hitting her head on a bathroom stall before falling onto the floor. According to her mother, the teen complained about a headache but continued to attend classes. Four days after the fight (the following Saturday), Mejia attended a party. At the party, she fainted and was rushed to the hospital by a friend.
The teen remained unconscious for days until she died on March 15, 2024. According to doctors, she suffered a fatal hemorrhage caused by a brain injury.
Her mother, Maria Juarez, a single mother of two, claimed that her daughter often came home from school covered in bruises. Reportedly, she took documented her daughter’s injuries by taking pictures and reported them to school officials and campus police; however, nothing was done about the situation. She had only been enrolled at the school for eight months.
Juarez said that she learned about the fight that occurred on March 5th only after her daughter died. She blamed her death on the school as she had reported previous incidents to officials. She claimed that everyone knew that her daughter hit her head, including teachers, but no one said anything.
The incident remains under investigation. Part of the investigation will focus on claims that the teen had fallen down a flight of stairs the day of her hospitalization. It is unclear whether the investigation will address the Juarez’s concerns.
Manual Arts High School principal, Alejandro Macias, made the following statement:
“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.”
Unfortunately, these school “fights” are common. In most cases, these “fights” are not mutual – a student or a group of students suddenly attack another for a number of reasons. Some might argue that these fights are just part of the high school experience. Sure, some conflict between teenagers is expected, but there is no valid reason for these conflicts to ultimately become physical – especially at schools.
This will not be the last fight that leaves a student severely injured or dead. It is important that both students and their parents know their rights. If you or your child suffered harm associated with a school fight, please do not hesitate to reach out to the attorneys here at our law firm as soon as possible.
Our lawyers here at the Downtown L.A. Law Group are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to understand the legal options available to you. Our team is fully committed to fighting for the rights of victims and helping them recover the maximum recovery available for their claims. For more information about your legal options, contact our school assault and battery lawyers as soon as possible.
Potential Injuries Resulting from School Fights
School fights can result in many injuries, some of which can be fatal. Depending on the details surrounding on the school fight, victims may suffer some of the following injuries:
- Head injuries, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries, including broken teeth, broken nose, and broken jaw
- Neck injuries and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Sprains and stains
- Lacerations
- Scrapes and bruises
These injuries can occur as a result of punching, kicking, shoving, dragging, slamming against walls or other objects, pushing downstairs, etc.
School Liability for Injuries Resulting from School Fights
Is the school liable for harm stemming from school fights? Is the district liable? The short answer is yes, the school and the district can be liable for all harm resulting from a school fight. This is because the district and all staff at their schools essentially have a duty to ensure that students are safe. What can schools and districts do when it comes to school fights? Possible actions that schools/districts can take include the following:
- Having adequate security personnel
- Having surveillance cameras
- Quickly responding to fights that occur
- Quickly ending fights and getting injured students the necessary care
- Notifying parents after fights occur
- Taking reports of bullying and fights from students and parents seriously
- Having a clear policy and procedure for dealing with reports of bullying and fights
- Suspending or expelling students from school
When schools fail to keep their students safe, they can be liable for all resulting harm. If the school district knew or should have known of the fights, the students involved already had a history of fighting or assaulting other students, or the school/district actively covered up the incident, then the district could be found liable for all resulting harm.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Wrongful Death Associated with a School Fight?
Yes – you could have the right to file a lawsuit. You could sue if the actions – or lack of action – of the school/district ultimately contributed to the harm suffered. That is, if your child died due to injuries sustained in a school fight, you could have the right to file a wrongful death claim. For more information about your right to file a wrongful death claim, please do not hesitate to reach out to the attorneys here at our law firm as soon as possible.
What Compensation is Available for School Wrongful Death Claims?
Some of the compensation that claimants could be eligible to receive could include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial costs
- Punitive damages
- Legal costs
Here at our law firm, our team is fully committed to getting our clients the maximum recovery available for their claims. Whether our attorneys need to negotiate a settlement or take your claim to court to reach a verdict, you can trust that our team will fight for your rights to get the payout that you are owed.
What is the average value of wrongful death claims against schools? Case value is based on the specific facts surrounding each case. In general, school wrongful death claims can be worth anywhere from 150,000 USD to 500,000 USD – and sometimes even more.
How long will it take to settle my case? The majority of wrongful death cases are settled in under two years, although some cases may take longer to be resolved. Although our team is committed to resolving these cases in under a year, some cases are simply more complex and take more time.
How Long Do I Have to Sue?
In California, wrongful death claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, meaning that claimants will only have two years to sue. However, claims against government entities – like school districts – are subject to a short six-month statute of limitations. Because of that, it is essential that claimants take action as soon as possible. If you are unsure of the specific deadline that applies to your claim, do not wait any further. Reach out to our attorneys as soon as possible. Our team will evaluate your claim, help you understand the deadline that applies, and ensure that your claim is filed on time.
