My Child Was Hurt at School—Who Is Liable?
As a parent, you send your children off to school with a reasonable expectation of safety. For example, you trust that the bus driver will follow all local traffic laws and stay focused on the road at all times. You may also have faith that the staff and faculty will maintain a clean facility free of hazards, identify and stop any bullying, and provide adequate supervision throughout the day.
When school administrators fail to foster a safe environment for students, serious and even debilitating injuries can result. Filing a personal injury claim against an educational institution for any damages incurred is complicated, though, especially if you want to sue a public school that is funded by the government.
Pursuant to Article XII, Section 10, individuals in the state of Louisiana have the right to file a lawsuit against a government entity for personal injury or property damage; however, there are restrictions when it comes to filing such a claim. For example, you typically have to file your claim within a fairly short deadline, and there is a maximum cap of $500,000 for non-economic damages.
If your child was injured at or on the way to school and you think negligence on the part of school administrators is to blame, contact Laborde Earles Law Firm. Our award-winning legal team will evaluate your case, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and help you fight for the maximum payout. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free consultation with an Alexandria personal injury lawyer.
Who Is Liable If My Child Is Injured at or on the Way to School?
If your child is hurt at school or in a bus accident going to or from school, there are several potentially liable parties. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you determine whom to name as the defendant if negligence played a role in your child’s injuries.
In a school bus accident, for example, possible defendants include the bus driver and school district, the vehicle manufacturer, other motorists involved in the collision, and the agencies responsible for maintaining the roads. In some cases, multiple parties can be liable for an accident.
If your child was hurt on the playground as the result of inadequate supervision, the teacher and school administrators might be liable. When defective playground equipment is to blame, parents can typically file a suit against the school district for improper maintenance or against the manufacturer for design flaws.
Incidents involving food poisoning might result in a claim against school administrators for improper food handling or against an outside vendor for providing tainted ingredients. When it comes to slip and fall accidents inside the building, the school’s staff may be to blame for failing to maintain the premises. Falls that occur outside, on the other hand, may be the result of poor sidewalk maintenance, in which case the county could be liable.
There are dozens of ways that children can sustain injuries at or on the way to school, and there are just as many potentially liable parties. If your child was hurt while in the care of school administrators, an Alexandria personal injury attorney from Laborde Earles Law Firm can investigate your case and gather evidence to prove negligence, liability, and the value of the damages. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free case evaluation.