Protecting Your Child’s Rights After a School Accident
Schools are supposed to be safe environments. Injuries in this environment can be particularly traumatic for children and their families. Beyond the immediate physical and emotional distress, there can be significant medical expenses, ongoing rehabilitation needs, and lasting impacts on the child’s development and well-being.
In this difficult time, it’s crucial to have a strong advocate for your child’s best interests. At Cohen & Marzban, we’re prepared to be that advocate.
Common Types of School Accidents
School accidents and injuries can take many forms, from seemingly minor incidents to serious events with lasting consequences.
Playground Accidents
Playgrounds, while intended for fun and recreation, can be hazardous if not properly maintained or supervised. Common playground accidents include falls from equipment, injuries caused by defective or broken structures, and accidents resulting from inadequate supervision by school staff.
Sports Injuries
School sports promote physical activity and teamwork, but they also carry the risk of injury. Sports injuries can occur due to the negligence of coaches, inadequate safety equipment, or unsafe playing conditions.
School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents are statistically less frequent than other types of accidents, but when they do happen, dozens of families can be affected. The cause of a school bus accident may be a negligent bus driver, another road user, or unsafe bus conditions.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere on school property, from wet or slippery floors in hallways and cafeterias to icy sidewalks and poorly maintained outdoor areas.
Who Is Liable for School Accidents in Los Angeles?
Determining liability in a school accident case often involves investigating multiple parties and examining a complex series of contributing factors. Proving liability depends on demonstrating that negligence — a failure to exercise reasonable care — directly caused the accident and your child’s resulting injuries.
Schools and School Districts
Schools and school districts have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for students. They can be held liable for accidents caused by:
- Safety lapses: Failing to enforce safety rules in areas like playgrounds, hallways, and classrooms.
- Unsafe premises: Ignoring known dangers such as broken playground equipment, wet floors, or hazardous obstacles.
- Poor staffing practices: Operating while understaffed, providing inadequate training, or failing to properly screen new staff members.
Schools must not only create policies with the safety and best interests of students in mind but also enforce them.
Teachers and School Staff
Individual teachers, coaches, and other school staff can also be held liable if their negligence contributes to a student’s injury. These individuals might be liable due to:
- Failure to supervise: Not properly monitoring students during activities.
- Negligent instruction: Providing improper instruction or guidance during physical activities.
- Failure to enforce safety rules: Ignoring safety policies that were put in place to protect children.
These lapses by teachers and other staff members can lead to preventable accidents and injuries.
Third Parties
Sometimes, parties outside of the school system may be liable for a student’s injuries:
- Negligent drivers: If a student is injured in a school bus driven by a third-party company or in a car accident on school property, the negligent driver may be held liable.
- Contractors: If a contractor performing work on school grounds creates a dangerous condition that leads to an accident, they can be held responsible.
- Product manufacturers: If a defective product, such as a piece of playground equipment, causes an injury, the manufacturer can be held liable.
Your school accident lawyer will discuss potentially responsible parties after they review your case.
How Can Our School Accident Lawyers Help?
If you try to battle with uncooperative school administrators on your own, it’s easy to become discouraged and concede defeat. We don’t want to let that happen. At Cohen & Marzban, we’ll advocate tirelessly for your child’s best interests. Here’s what you can expect from our Los Angeles school accident attorneys.
