The family of a 14-year-old boy who took his own life at his middle school last year is filing a lawsuit against the Seminole County School Board, claiming bullying pushed their son to suicide.

In the wrongful death lawsuit, attorney Matt Morgan, representing the family of Lamar Hawkins, says school officials were well aware of ongoing bullying against the teen and failed to stop it.

Lamar's family is asking for financial damages exceeding $15,000, but Morgan said it's about more than money.

"They are looking for accountability, they are looking for justice, and they are looking for the scales to be evened," Morgan said Monday. "Also, they are bringing this lawsuit to ensure that this doesn't happen to another child, not only in Seminole County, but nationally."

Morgan said Lamar was systematically bullied before he was found dead on Sept. 10, 2014 in a bathroom at Greenwood Lakes Middle School, in Lake Mary.

"He was literally slapped out of his chair in an altercation," Morgan said. "We know that just days after that, he took his own life at school."

Morgan said Lamar suffered from a medical condition that left him much smaller in stature than his peers, but a big target for bullies.

"Lamar was the type of boy that, if you picked on him, you were going to get a reaction from him," Morgan explained. "If you called him small, he would defend himself. If you slapped him, he would defend himself. That is toxic for bullying."

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office investigated the suicide and found no physical evidence — like bruising, for example — on the boy to charge anyone in connection to the claims of bullying. Morgan said the problem there is the perception of what constitutes this type of abuse.

"We know that these teasings, name-calling over a long, extended period of time, are oftentimes more harmful than the physical attacks that happen to these victims," Morgan said.

Morgan added his clients provided a loving home for the teen, and he does not believe anything going on at home led to Lamar's suicide.

Morgan said the gun used belonged to the Hawkins family, but they are not facing any charges.

Seminole County Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin issued the following statement on the lawsuit Monday:

I am aware of an impending lawsuit regarding a Greenwood Lakes Middle School student that passed away last year. I will not comment on litigation matters, but the School Board will vigorously defend Greenwood Lakes Middle School, its administrators and staff regarding this incident.