Whenever you drop your kids off at school, you trust the institution to keep them safe. Therefore, it can be extremely upsetting when your kid sustains a severe injury in a supposedly harm-free environment. If you suspect the school was negligent, you may wonder what your next steps should be.
Bring your child to a medical professional
A visit to the emergency room or pediatrician will help your child receive proper treatment and an accurate diagnosis. If you can prove negligence, you may be able to seek compensation from the school for your child’s medical bills.
Obtain an incident report
The school and its staff are obligated to keep students safe by taking steps to avoid preventable accidents. The school may have been negligent if it failed to make necessary repairs, put warning signs up in dangerous areas, or keep its property clean from hazards.
Here are some common causes of slips and falls at school:
- Uneven flooring
- Wet or slippery surfaces
- Faulty equipment
- Icy or snowy pavements
- Inadequate supervision, and
- Poorly maintained facilities
If your child is seriously hurt, ask the school for a copy of the incident report. Schools will want to protect their reputation, and some may attempt to cover up details of the case. It is crucial to ensure that the accident is reported to the proper authorities, such as the school principal.
Collect evidence
Along with medical documentation, gather photos, videos, and witness statements that can help support your case. You may also want to keep what your child was wearing at the time or ask for footage from surveillance cameras as proof.
Can you file a lawsuit against the school?
Yes, you can. However, proving liability can be challenging. It is also important to note that the steps to pursuing a case against a public school and a private school differ. Public schools fall under the purview of the government, which may call for stricter and higher standards in terms of proof.
As a parent, one of your top priorities is your child’s well-being, so when someone else’s neglect causes them harm, it is understandable to want to take action. However, before filing a lawsuit, reviewing your case with a lawyer is recommended to confirm if you have grounds to sue.