A recent federal court filing details allegations that a local school district and one of its teachers failed to protect a student with asthma from serious injury during a class activity, raising questions about disability accommodations in public schools. The lawsuit was filed by Nicholas Diego Guzman on March 17, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas against Klein Independent School District and teacher James Strickler.
According to the complaint, Nicholas Diego Guzman is an eleventh-grade student who has suffered from asthma since early childhood. His medical needs were reportedly documented in his educational records and communicated to staff at Klein Independent School District upon his enrollment. The lawsuit alleges that in October 2024, during a welding class led by Strickler at Klein Oak High School, Guzman was required along with classmates to move a large trailer as part of an assignment connected to the Future Farmers of America program.
The complaint states that Guzman became anxious due to his asthma and used his inhaler before participating in the activity but remained weak. Despite informing Strickler about his condition, Guzman alleges he was threatened with a failing grade if he did not help move the trailer. During the attempt to lift the heavy trailer bed—a task involving six or seven students on each side—the group was unable to hold it up and dropped it. The trailer fell on both of Guzman’s hands, causing severe injuries described as “excruciating pain,” visible wounds, blood loss, and permanent damage.
Following the incident, Guzman went unassisted by emergency medical services; instead, he walked alone to the school nurse who “merely rinsed his hand and wrapped it up” without contacting EMS. His mother was called to pick him up. The complaint asserts that this response reflected an official custom within the school district not to call emergency services even when warranted by students’ medical conditions.
Guzman’s injuries resulted in significant consequences: two weeks of missed school, inability to write or type, worsening asthma symptoms, near failure of his grade level, permanent deformation of his hands, chronic pain aggravated by cold weather, loss of employment opportunities in fields such as welding or butchery due to pain or physical limitations, and ongoing need for medication.
The legal filing accuses Klein Independent School District of violating multiple federal statutes including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973—which requires federally funded schools to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities—and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It also claims violations under 42 U.S.C. §1983 for infringement on constitutional rights such as equal protection and due process under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Specifically, Guzman alleges that “the acts and omissions” by both defendants denied him equal access to educational opportunities and failed to provide necessary accommodations despite knowledge of his disability. He further contends that policies or customs—such as not calling EMS—constituted unconstitutional practices resulting in harm.
In addition to federal claims, the suit brings state law claims under Chapter 101 of the Texas Tort Claims Act for reckless conduct by Strickler leading directly to Guzman’s injuries. The complaint seeks compensatory damages for physical pain (past and future), mental anguish (past and future), medical expenses (past and future), loss of educational access and employment opportunities, reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Guzman’s family due to these events, nominal damages where appropriate, consequential damages arising from these harms—and punitive damages based on alleged deliberate indifference or shocking conduct.
Guzman requests a jury trial on all issues raised in this matter pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 38(b). He also demands preservation of all evidence related to these events under threat that failure will be considered spoliation—potentially resulting in adverse inference against any party found responsible for destroying relevant materials.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Martin J. Cirkiel of Cirkiel & Associates P.C., based in Austin. The case is identified as C.A. No.: 4:26-cv-2129.
Source: 426cv02129_Nickolas_Diego_v_Klein_Independet_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texas.pdf
