When parents sent their children to school, they assume that their youngsters will be safe. Most of the time, days go by without incident and any injuries that occur fall into the category of minor scrapes. bumps, or bruises. If you get a phone call that your child is injured at school and the situation is serious, that is an entirely different matter.
When your Child is Injured at School: Get Immediate Medical Attention
Your first step should be to ensure that your son or daughter gets appropriate medical attention. You’ll want to make sure that all of his or her injuries relating to the accident are documented from the outset. Make sure your child is seen at the Emergency Room and follow up with your own doctor shortly after the accident if your child is treated and released.
Write Down the Facts
Shortly after the accident occurs, take some time to write down everything you remember about that day. Include exactly what you were told about the accident, without any exaggerations or embellishments. If you aren’t clear about something, don’t include it in your account.
Ask your child what he or she remembers about the accident, and write it down as well. Don’t ask any leading questions; just stick to the facts – the sequence of events and who was present at the time.
Consult with a Lawyer
Your child’s teacher and the school board are responsible for ensuring that the students under their care are protected from harm while they are at school or on school trips. You are not obligated to make a decision about whether you will proceed with a lawsuit against the school board and/or the teacher simply because you have consulted with a lawyer about your rights. If you do decide to proceed, you will need to start your claim within a certain amount of time or you will lose your right to sue.
It can take some time before the full impact of serious injuries that affect activities of daily living are known, and you do not have to wait until the full extent of your child’s injuries are evident before taking steps to recover compensation on his or her behalf.
If your child has been seriously injured at school, you should get advice from a personal injury lawyer. They can advise you about your legal rights in your personal situation and whether it warrants starting a lawsuit to recover damages against the school board and the teacher.
