Parent, student sue Manatee County School Board over 2014 bullying incident at Sugg Middle School

BRADENTON -- A parent and student are suing the Manatee County School Board over a playground incident at Sugg Middle School in February 2014.

The lawsuit, filed in mid-August, is seeking in excess of $15,000 after the student claims she repeatedly reported being bullied and harassed during the 2013-14 school year, before the student was both verbally and physically harassed on the playground at the school in February.

The student was pulled to the ground from behind by one student, while another student grabbed her backpack and pulled her backward, causing the student to twist as she fell backward. The fall caused serious injury, according to the

lawsuit.

The suit blames the school district for failing to oversee the student body while the students were outside. The suit also blames the school district for failing to take action in response to the reports of bullying and harassment under the district's Code of Student Conduct.

More details on the incident were not immediately available Monday.

The lawsuit was filed by Mari Seraaj, identified as a parent, guardian and next friend of the student, through Perkins Law Firm in Bradenton. Lawyers at the firm could not be reached for comment.

A summons was issued but the school district has not been served with the lawsuit yet, staff attorney Mitchell Teitelbaum said Monday.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Parent, student sue Manatee County School Board over 2014 bullying incident at Sugg Middle School ."