The Los Angeles County medical examiner has ruled a 16-year-old girl’s death from blunt force head trauma an accident, sparking concerns from her family about the thoroughness and conclusiveness of officials in the case.

The girl’s mother has referenced video footage from a school fight that showed her daughter, Shaylee Mejia, sustaining head injuries just days before her death. Her mother, Maria Juarez, holds the high school accountable for failing to protect her daughter and questions how the medical examiner could label the death as accidental.

The decision on the girl’s death is one of many made by experts each year in Los Angeles County, with some cases like Shaylee’s raising doubts about the process.

Juarez expressed her outrage and disappointment with the determination, stating that she doesn’t understand why it was ruled an accident. Luis Carrillo, a civil rights attorney representing Juarez, has sought more information on how officials reached this conclusion but has not received any additional details. He is unsure if the medical examiner’s investigation included a review of the video from the fight.

The final autopsy report has been requested by The Times but is not yet complete. Odey Upko, the chief medical examiner in Los Angeles County, declined to comment on the case until the final report is available.

Carrillo and Juarez are contemplating obtaining an independent autopsy moving forward.

Although an accidental death ruling does not automatically close a case, the Los Angeles Police Department has concluded its investigation into Shaylee’s death, citing the accidental death determination as the reason. Little additional evidence has been provided, and further inquiries were directed to the medical examiner’s office.

A previous statement from an LAPD spokesperson indicated that Shaylee had fallen before her death but did not offer many details. Carrillo is still examining the case with intentions of eventually pursuing legal action.

The Times consulted forensic pathologist experts regarding what an accidental death ruling entails, how such a decision is reached, and whether it could potentially change in the future.

What is a ‘manner of death’?

The manner of death is a key determination following an autopsy, alongside the cause of death. It pertains to the circumstances surrounding how an injury or disease led to a person’s death. There are five possible conclusions for the manner of death: Natural, suicide, homicide, accident, and undetermined.

This assessment is made after a thorough autopsy and additional investigation, as stated by Iain M. McIntyre, a forensic toxicologist consultant.

How is that different from cause of death?

The cause of death refers to the medical reason why a person died, unlike the manner of death which focuses on the circumstances surrounding the death. While the cause of death is usually clear from the autopsy, determining the manner of death can take more time.

How do forensic pathologists make such a decision?

Forensic pathologists consider various factors such as hospital records, police reports, toxicology reports, and autopsy findings to determine the manner of death. They conduct an independent investigation but may also rely on outside information.

Deciding between an accident and homicide can be challenging, especially in cases where an injury led to death. The determination can change with new information, and videos can sometimes play a role in investigations.

How is that determination used?

The manner of death is a medical determination, not a legal one, although law enforcement and prosecutors can use it in their cases. However, it does not dictate outcomes in the legal system, where different factors are considered.

An accidental death could still lead to criminal or civil liability, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident.