Court dates have been officially scheduled in the ongoing lawsuit filed against Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) in connection with the death of 14-year-old Jaxon Mendoza, who passed away following a seizure at Amarillo High School in August 2022. According to documents, multiple legal deadlines and mediation efforts have been set before the trial will proceed in federal court.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2022 in the 108th District Court in Potter County, alleges negligence on the part of the school district, claiming that school officials failed to provide timely and appropriate medical care for Mendoza during his seizure. The case was later refiled in federal court in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division.
According to court records, several key deadlines are outlined in the litigation process leading up to the trial. The parties involved have agreed to engage in mediation, which must be completed on or before August 1, 2025. Additionally, all expert and factual discovery related to the case must be finalized by September 5, 2025.
The pretrial hearing for the case has been scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. If the case does not settle during mediation, the trial is set to begin on April 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
Allegations and Background of the Case
Jaxon Mendoza was a freshman at Amarillo High School when he suffered a fatal seizure on August 25, 2022. According to the lawsuit, Mendoza’s death occurred after school officials allegedly refused to administer his prescribed seizure medication during the medical emergency, despite the fact that the medication was on hand at the school.
The lawsuit claims that the school’s failure to provide the necessary medical intervention contributed directly to Mendoza’s tragic death. The lawsuit also raises concerns about the school’s overall preparedness to handle medical emergencies, particularly those involving students with known health conditions such as epilepsy.
Jaxon Mendoza’s parents, along with their legal team, have expressed their desire to hold AISD accountable for what they describe as negligence that led to the untimely death of their son. The case has garnered significant attention from the community and advocates for improved safety protocols in schools, especially regarding students with medical needs.
Legal Process and Timeline
As of now, the legal process is moving toward mediation and discovery, where both sides will exchange information and attempt to reach a resolution before the case goes to trial. If the case is not settled by the mediation deadline in August 2025, it will proceed to the pretrial hearing in April 2026, with the trial scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.
Both sides will have the opportunity to present expert witnesses and evidence during the discovery phase, and the case is expected to involve complex discussions regarding school district responsibilities, medical care protocols, and the legal standards for negligence in educational settings.
Community Impact and Response
Jaxon Mendoza’s death has sparked an outpouring of support from the Amarillo community, with many parents and advocacy groups calling for greater attention to student safety, particularly in cases involving chronic health conditions. Local residents have expressed concern over the incident, questioning whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
AISD officials have not publicly commented on the lawsuit but have previously expressed condolences to the Mendoza family following Jaxon’s death. The outcome of the case could have significant implications not only for AISD but also for how Texas school districts manage the health and safety of students with medical conditions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Mendoza family and their supporters continue to seek justice for Jaxon’s death, hoping the trial will bring accountability and perhaps change in school policies regarding medical emergencies.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
As the case moves forward, both the plaintiffs and defendants will prepare for the mediation in 2025, while working to meet the deadlines for discovery. The outcome of the mediation could lead to a settlement, but if the case proceeds to trial, the court's decision may shape future discussions about liability and medical care in Texas schools.
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