Accidents can occur anywhere without prior warning. School-aged children engage in many activities that can result in injury, such as sporting events on the playground. In some instances, children suffer personal injury at the hands of bullies 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 under this circumstance, it may benefit you to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer Minneapolis MN for advice.
Proving Negligence
It can 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 officials or teachers 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 meet 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:
- Equipment malfunction
- Injury at the hands of a school employee
- Injuries in an altercation with another student
- Bus accident
- Playground accident
- Food poisoning
- Slip and falls
- Sports injuries
- Natural disaster
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 and fractures
- Back injuries
- Serious bruising
Children who participate in contact sport activities 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 performing a background check
Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
If your child was hurt at school, the process for filing 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:
- Doctor bills
- Ambulance costs
- Hospital fees
- Therapy bills
- Cost of medical devices
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Personal injury cases are complex and difficult to navigate. For this reason, it is best to speak with a personal injury lawyer for advice. After reviewing your case, your lawyer will advise you as to the best way to proceed. Hiring an experienced attorney may help you obtain deserved compensation for proper care of your child.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Johnston Martineau PLLP for their insight into personal injury claims.