BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Palm Beach County resident has filed a civil lawsuit against the School Board of Palm Beach County, alleging the agency is legally responsible for injuries tied to a vehicle crash in Boca Raton.
The complaint, Sony Alexis v. School Board of Palm Beach County, was filed Jan. 23, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida, under Case No. 502026CA000833XXXAMB. The suit seeks damages in excess of $50,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees, and demands a jury trial.
According to the complaint, the alleged incident occurred on or about Sept. 23, 2023, in the 3400 block of NW 5th Ave. in Boca Raton, within Palm Beach County. The filing alleges Harvey Mendelson was operating a 2018 Ford van at that location while acting “in the course and scope of his employment” with the School Board of Palm Beach County.
The plaintiff alleges Mendelson was an employee or agent of the School Board at the time and that the School Board is vicariously liable for negligent acts committed by its agents, servants, and employees within the scope of their employment. The complaint also states the plaintiff complied with prerequisites required to sue a governmental entity, specifically referencing Florida Statute 768.28(6) and its notice provisions.
The filing alleges the School Board owed the plaintiff a duty of care, including a duty to use reasonable care and caution to properly maintain, operate, and control the motor vehicle being operated by its employees. The complaint claims that, as a direct and proximate result of the defendant’s negligence, the plaintiff suffered bodily injury and a range of resulting damages.
Those alleged damages include pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, and medical-related expenses, including hospitalization, medical and nursing care. The complaint also claims the plaintiff has experienced lost wages in the past and may do so in the future, along with treatment and aggravation of a previously existing condition.
The lawsuit further alleges the plaintiff’s losses are permanent or continuing and that the plaintiff will suffer losses in the future. The complaint does not provide additional detail about the circumstances of the crash beyond the date, location, vehicle, and the claim that the driver was acting within the scope of employment.
The plaintiff is represented by Zoeller, Hayden & Thron, PLLC, of Palm Beach Gardens, according to the filing. No defense counsel is listed in the complaint.
The original complaint, Sony Alexis v. School Board of Palm Beach County, Case No. 502026CA000833XXXAMB, as filed 01/23/2026, with the Clerk of Court, can be viewed here.
LEARN MORE: How Auto Negligence Lawsuits work in Florida.
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