Personal Injury Claims For School Accidents

Accidents can occur anywhere without prior warning. School aged children are exposed to a variety of things during the day that could result in injury, such as sporting events or playgrounds. In some instances, children suffer personal injury at the hands of bullies or other children on school property. Below is an overview of personal injury law and how it relates to accidents at school. If your child has suffered an injury at school, it may benefit you to speak with a lawyer for advice.

Proving Negligence

It can often be difficult to prove negligence when a child is hurt at school. There are a variety of scenarios that could result in injury, such as violence from teachers or other students. To prove negligence on the part of the school, you must be able to prove that the school somehow failed to keep your child safe or ignored a potential risk.

Types Of School Accidents

When children are at school, the school is charged with providing a safe learning environment. If the school fails to adhere to the appropriate standard of care and a child suffers injury, the school may be liable. Below are some ways children could suffer injury at school:

  • Improper equipment function
  • Injury at the hands of a school employee
  • Injuries caused by altercations between students
  • Bus injuries
  • Playground accidents
  • Food poisoning
  • Slip and falls
  • Sports injuries
  • Natural disaster injuries

Common School Injuries

Some injuries are more likely to occur at school than others. The following is a list of the most common injuries at school during the course of the day and at sporting events:

  • Bone fractures
  • Concussions
  • Sprains
  • Neck injuries
  • Facial lacerations
  • Back injuries

Children who participate in contact sports at school may suffer catastrophic injuries, even with safety protocols in place. These injuries range from head injuries to spinal cord damage, and are often associated with hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, cheerleading, football or soccer.

Who Is Responsible?

When your child is injured at school, there are certain instances in which the school may be held responsible for their injuries. Some of these instances include:

  • Improper supervision
  • Defective equipment
  • Lack of emergency preparedness
  • Exposure to dangerous substances
  • Improper food handling
  • Hiring employees without a background check

Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit

If your child was hurt at school, the way you file a lawsuit depends on several factors. First, is your child’s school a public school? If so, your state may have strict procedures you must follow to file a lawsuit against a government agency. If your child was injured at a private school, you may need to file your lawsuit as a civil action.

Damages

You may be able to receive compensation for certain types of damages if the school is found negligent and responsible for your child’s injuries. These damages could include:

  • Medical bills
  • Ambulance costs
  • Hospital fees
  • Therapy bills
  • Cost of medical devices
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering

Personal injury cases are complex and can be difficult to navigate. For this reason, it may be best to speak with a personal injury lawyer Memphis TN trusts for advice. After reviewing your case, your lawyer may advise you on the best way to proceed with your case. Hiring an experienced attorney may help you obtain the money you need for the care of your child, so that you can move forward.


Thanks to our friends and contributors from Patterson Bray for their insight into personal injury claims for school accidents.