The Affton School District reached a $2.4 million settlement agreement in a wrongful death lawsuit following the death of a 17-year-old student at Affton High School in February 2024.

Court documents filed in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County reveal that Jeffery James, the father of the deceased student, brought the lawsuit against the school district in June. The settlement includes a lump sum payment of $2,400,106 to be paid by the district’s insurer.

The incident occurred on Feb. 20, 2024, at Affton High School. According to the court filings, the plaintiff asserted claims that the school district “caused, or contributed to cause, the death of Decedent.” The specific circumstances surrounding the student’s death were not detailed.

In addition to the monetary compensation, the settlement agreement outlines other non-financial terms:

• The school district will place a memorial brick in the landscaping area behind the baseball/softball field backstop at Affton High School.

• An honorary diploma will be issued to the deceased student.

• The student’s name will be included in the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025, announced in the same manner as other graduates.

The settlement was reached through pre-suit negotiations and mediation, with the school district’s insurer covering the mediation fees. The court documents note that while agreeing to the settlement, the Affton School District “denies, has denied, and continues to deny all liability whatsoever for the death of Decedent.”

The settlement resolves all claims by the plaintiff against the school district and other released parties related to the student’s death.

The plaintiff’s attorneys from The O’Brien Law Firm, P.C. were also awarded approval for $960,107.98 in legal fees and expenses, as per their contingency fee agreement.