Emotions can get tense when your child is hurt at school, and things can happen very quickly. Parents will want to react quickly and make sure they are protecting their child’s safety and rights.
Here are important steps to think about after the accident occurs. By completing these tasks, parents can feel confident that they are going through the aftermath of the incident to take care of their child’s health and future.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Consulting a personal injury lawyer is essential if the injury is severe or there is potential negligence. Reputable personal injury lawyers can assess whether you have a legitimate case against the school or anyone else.
A lawyer will look at the incident report, the medical records, and what witnesses say when deciding who is liable and what compensation can be obtained for medical bills or emotional distress.
They will help you navigate the complicated legal process and know that your rights are being protected. Consulting will provide you with information on your options, even if you do not pursue a case. You will have better clarity and can make informed decisions for your child’s future.
Seek Appropriate Medical Care Immediately
If an injury occurs at school, the health of your child is the priority. Seek medical care immediately through the school nurse, a doctor, or even an emergency room for more serious injuries).
A professional evaluation of the injury will help identify and treat the injury and address any possible complications. Document (i.e., request copies) any medical records that include visit notes, diagnosis, treatments (especially a concussion), etc.
These records will help track the child and help with documentation should an eventual claim occur. Even after minor injuries, lingering effects may appear later on – in particular, with concussions. Show your child that you care about their well-being and start the historical and medical timeline for the injury.
Get the Incident Report
When possible, please request a copy of the school’s incident report. This report contains an official account of the accident, including time, date, location, and the rationale for the accident, such as an accident report.
It can also contain witness accounts or staff descriptions about the incident, which will give context. Schools generally have a process to log accidents, so let the administration know you want access to the report.
Read the report closely and check if it matches your account. Note this if school officials delay or don’t provide you access to a report. The incident report will provide documentary evidence to help you understand what occurred and may be relevant to any claim or an investigation into negligence or liability.
Document the Injuries
Diligently document your child’s injuries to create a detailed record. Take photographs of visible injuries, including bruises, cuts, or swelling, immediately and over time to document the progression and/or healing of bruises/cuts/swelling, etc. Begin a daily journal noting your child’s symptoms, level of pain, or emotional impacts, e.g., anxiety and sleep issues.
Collect documentation related to medical bills, prescription refills, or therapy notes that indicate the seriousness of the child’s injury. This documentation provides more details for your understanding of the injury, which you may need later to discuss the injury with a school, the insurance company, or an attorney. Complete documentation captures every detail for your reference and provides a complete picture of liability or compensation return questions later on.
Take Witness Statements
Obtain statements from people who witnessed the accident to establish a detailed account of the event. These might include classmates, teachers, or staff who were there during the incident.
You can have the witnesses write down what they observed or record what the witness says and collect their contact information. If the witnesses are students, contact their parents or a school official to assist you in obtaining witness statements.
The witness statements can support or dispute the school’s account of the incident, for example, regarding supervision or unsafe conditions. While it is fresh in their memory, acquiring a witness statement as soon as possible will aid your understanding of what transpired and support a liability or negligence claim.
Endnote
While the implications of an accident at school are overwhelming, parents may find some comfort and empowerment in these recommendations to help protect their child’s physical and legal rights.
By taking decisive action, you address your child’s immediate needs and protect their interests, whether this is an agreed-upon action by the school or a fair outcome of a legal process. You are now poised to move through what can be an unjust problem for your child to find opportunities for justice, healing, and fair care.