When at school all day, your kids should be kept safe from harm. Education is one of the most important principles we live by as Americans, but even the most relaxed parents worry about their children. From tripping and falling in the hallway to peer violence to teacher abuse, there are a number of reasons to worry. While infrequent, school injuries do happen – so it’s best to be prepared.
Types of School-Related Injuries
Every day in the United States, over 22 million children ride the famously yellow bus to and from school, as well as to athletic events, camps, religious events, and more. School buses are designed to keep cars off roads, providing a safe, secure way for young people to reach their place of learning and come home at the end of the day. Regardless, around 17,000 children nationwide are hospitalized annually due to school bus accidents.
Fatalities on school buses often result from reckless motorists driving nearby, among other factors. More than 40% of school bus related injuries are caused by vehicular accidents, while 24% result from a child getting on or off the bus. 38% of fatalities happen in the afternoon.
Buses are not the only source of school injuries. While the vast majority of students will never experience lethal violence on their school campuses, the CDC indicates that almost 2% of homicides among school-aged children occur on the way to and from school, during a school event, or on school grounds.
Teacher-student abuse cases come in many different forms, and can cause sexual, physical, or emotional trauma to children of all ages. Students with special needs are at the highest risk for being abused by teachers, and may not recognize whether their teachers are behaving in unacceptable ways.
One of the most common ways students are injured is by playing sports. A healthy, enjoyable mode of recreation, millions of children across the country participate in junior high and high school sports. Some of the most high risk sports include football, wrestling, soccer, and basketball. According to the CDC, around 80% of sports-related injuries occur suddenly, with 20% being recurring stress injuries or complications from previous problems.
My Child Has Been Injured – What Now?
There are countless different kinds of accidents children can experience throughout the school day, including the ride to and from school, which can cause severe, life-changing injuries or death. Whenever your child is in the care of another adult, that adult is responsible for his or her safety. If your child tells you he or she has been harmed, always take the complaint seriously, because you will never be penalized for filing a report with the school district.
Always seek medical attention for any student who has been injured at school. The second step is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Bernardino like Estey & Bomberger. If your child is suffering at the hands of neglect, abuse, accidents, or school violence, you as a parent have every right to receive the compensation your family deserves. We understand money is not the sole source of reparation in cases of school injury, but when you can cover medical bills, physical therapy, and more for your child, your family can take steps forward to heal.
A lawyer will be able to advise you while you file a claim. Our attorneys will also offer explanations of the various laws governing childcare in and around schools. You should never wait to contact a skilled attorney; the longer you wait, the more difficult it may become to settle a case. Get in touch with Estey & Bomberger today to learn more about how we can help and to set up a free consultation.
