Can I Sue a School or School District If My Child Was Injured at School?

 Posted on March 26, 2021 in Premises Liability

Most parents vividly remember the first day that their child went to school. Placing your child in the hands of teachers and other school staff and trusting them to keep your child safe is no easy task. Unfortunately, serious injuries and even deaths do occur in school. In some cases, a child’s injury is directly caused by the school’s negligence or even the intentional acts of a teacher or other staff member. If your child was injured in a school bus accident, playground accident, or another incident at school, it is important to know your rights. You may be able to hold the school or other at-fault party answerable for your child’s injury and recover damages via a personal injury claim.

Determining Liability in Personal Injury Lawsuits for School Injuries

Children are often rambunctious, energetic, and prone to injuries. However, when a child’s preventable injury is caused by the negligent or wrongful acts of another party, that party should be held accountable. A personal injury lawsuit may be used to hold a school liable for intentional abuse or injuries caused by the school’s negligence or carelessness.

However, determining whether the school or another party is liable is often one of the most challenging parts of a personal injury case. For example, a school bus accident may be caused by negligent driving, poor bus maintenance, or another driver. The school may have acted negligently by hiring a bus driver who was unqualified for the position or was not trained properly. A playground accident may be caused by inadequate staff supervision or it may be the fault of the party who incorrectly manufactured or assembled the playground equipment. A personal injury attorney with experience handling cases involving child injuries at school can help you determine what party or parties are liable for your child’s injury.

Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit Involving a Child Injury

If your child was harmed due to an injury or illness he or she acquired at school, you may be able to bring a claim for damages. You could be compensated for the medical expenses incurred by your child’s injury including emergency room bills, hospital care, doctor’s appointments, medical devices, mediation, and more. Your child may have a right to compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress caused by the injury.

If your child’s injury occurred at a public school, it is important to know that there are special rules and deadlines associated with lawsuits against government entities. Speak to a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing these important deadlines.

Contact a Lake County School Accident Lawyer

If your child was hurt at school, contact Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. to discuss your legal options. A Waukegan personal injury attorney from our firm may be able to help. Call us at 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1865&aChapterID=50