What to do if your child is injured at school

While in-person education and activities have numerous benefits, they can also present unique pitfalls. Every year, millions of children are injured in accidents, many of them on or around school grounds. Sometimes these injuries are caused by negligent acts on the part of teachers, staff, or other students.

If your child has been injured at school, you may have already thought about taking legal action. Below we will review what we must do to maximize your chances of success.

Any personal injury claim can be challenging to prove in court, which does not exclude injuries on school grounds. When it comes to children, preserving evidence of an injury or negligent act can be difficult, especially if it happened at school, where the family couldn’t witness it.

Although you may fear that a personal injury claim of this type will quickly turn into a “he said, she said” situation, you can strengthen your case by documenting all the evidence available to you. Try to obtain critical documents or materials, such as:

• School Reports: If a teacher, staff member, or other school employee filed a report documenting your child’s injury, you are entitled to a copy
• Photographs: Once your child is home, photograph their injuries from as many angles as possible. If a dangerous condition at the school or on school-affiliated property contributed to the injury, document these with photos or videos.
• Security cameras: Many schools have security cameras in the hallways, cafeterias, and sports facilities. You or your attorney may be able to access videos that show exactly how your child’s injury occurred.
• Witness statements: If your complaint goes to trial, it is essential to have witnesses willing to testify. School administrators may sometimes try to claim that a child’s own negligence caused an accident, even if they know that was not the case. Finding unbiased witnesses – like a teacher or school nurse – can be very helpful.

Has your child suffered an injury at school? Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys today. At Champion Lawyers, we help families obtain justice for the damages they have suffered. No matter the nature of the case, our attorneys have the experience and legal knowledge you need on your side as you seek compensation for what has happened to your child.