District loses 8M case over student punched in the face by Meany Middle School math teacher

A jury awarded $8 million to Zakaria Sheikhibrahim after he sustained a brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder from being punched by his math teacher at Meany Middle School in 2018. The jury found Seattle Public Schools negligent and confirmed the district's failure to prevent discrimination against Sheikhibrahim, a Somali Muslim student. The incident transpired as the teacher sought to remove Sheikhibrahim from class due to disciplinary issues. Despite the severity of the assault, the teacher faced no criminal charges and was not included as a defendant in the lawsuit. Sheikhibrahim's legal team also sought a court order to compel the district to tackle discrimination issues stemming from the case.

This ruling contributes to ongoing financial difficulties for Seattle Public Schools, which recently settled a $16 million lawsuit related to sexual abuse by coaches. The case highlights broader concerns about safety and discrimination within the school district. As public interest grows, local officials may face increased pressure to address these issues effectively.