LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Court of Appeal has upheld a $1 million jury verdict against the El Segundo Unified School District, reaffirming that the district was negligent in protecting then-middle school student Eleri Irons from relentless bullying and emotional abuse at the hands of her classmates.

This decision comes more than two years after a Los Angeles County jury found the district liable for failing to intervene as Eleri, then just 13 years old, endured months of verbal harassment, cruel rumors, and ultimately a petition titled "End the Life of Eleri Irons" that circulated among students. Despite being aware of the threats, school officials failed to take meaningful action, failed to notify her parents, and failed to follow their own anti-bullying policies.

Rather than pay the judgment and take responsibility, El Segundo Unified School District chose to fight the case on appeal, which only prolonged the legal battle, forcing a now-college-aged student to continue reliving one of the most traumatic periods of her life.

The appellate court's ruling flatly rejected the district's immunity claims and affirmed the jury's finding that school employees failed in their mandatory duty to protect a vulnerable child.

"This ruling confirms what the jury already knew: Eleri was failed at every level by the very people who were supposed to protect her," said ACTS Law attorney Christa Ramey. "Instead of taking accountability and supporting this young woman's recovery, the district chose to spend taxpayer money fighting her in court for years. That's not leadership. That's cowardice."

At the time of the verdict, El Segundo Unified issued a public statement claiming it would "do the right thing." Yet, to date, the district has refused to pay the judgment and has taken no meaningful public responsibility for its inaction. The appellate ruling makes it clear: the district was not above the law, and its failure to protect Eleri had serious, lasting consequences.

This decision serves as a precedent for student safety, school accountability, and the real consequences of ignoring bullying complaints. This case was tried by ACT Law attorney Christa Ramey and Stalwart Law Group attorney Siannah Collado in August of 2022 in a Van Nuys Courtroom.

About ACTS LAW

If your student has a bullying or hazing claim against staff, a school district, or school administrators, our dedicated bullying lawyers at ACTS LAW will provide expert legal advice. All of our Los Angeles bullying injury attorneys are ready to represent injured victims throughout California.

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SOURCE ACTS Law