When you send your child to school, you do so with the notion that your child will be protected against harm. If your child ends up suffering an injury, it’s possible that you could sue the school. The school is typically liable for any injuries a child suffers on its premises.
Schools are obligated to keep their premises safe. That means that if a stairway is slick after mopping, a sign needs to be placed in the area and students need to be warned. If a playground has unsafe equipment, that equipment should be blocked off from students and they should not be allowed to use it. If a student faces danger from broken desk pieces or other hazards, it’s the school’s responsibility to make sure those hazards are repaired and that the child stays safe.
Parents who discover that their children have been hurt at school have the right to file a claim against the school. The school can be accused of contributing to the child’s injuries by not keeping its premises safe. This claim may be used if your child falls down slick stairs or gets cut on a broken window, for example, or you may decide to file a claim for compensation if your child is bullied or harassed and the school doesn’t take steps to protect him or her.
If you find that the school has not taken steps to keep your child safe, you can speak to your attorney about filing a claim. You may be able to seek compensation for lost wages due to needing to take your child to the doctor, for financial losses due to medical bills and for other expenses.
Source: FindLaw, “School Safety Legal Issues and Laws,” accessed April 21, 2017
