Common Types of School Injuries
Children can be injured at school in many ways:
- Playground accidents – Falls from equipment, defective playground structures
- Sports injuries – Inadequate coaching, unsafe equipment, or lack of supervision
- Bus accidents – Crashes, boarding/exiting injuries, bus stop incidents
- Bullying and assault – Physical attacks by other students
- Sexual abuse – Abuse by teachers, coaches, or staff members
- Slip and fall accidents – Wet floors, uneven surfaces, icy walkways
- Field trip injuries – Accidents during school-sponsored outings
- Science lab accidents – Chemical burns, equipment injuries
- Food-related incidents – Choking, allergic reactions, food poisoning
Causes of School Negligence
Schools may be liable when injuries result from:
- Inadequate supervision – Not enough adults monitoring children
- Dangerous premises – Unsafe building conditions or equipment
- Negligent hiring – Failure to screen employees properly
- Failure to enforce safety policies – Ignoring known risks
- Improper training – Staff not trained in safety procedures
- Defective equipment – Unsafe playground or sports equipment
- Failure to respond to bullying – Ignoring reports of harassment
Illinois Law on School Liability
Suing schools in Illinois involves special legal considerations. Under the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/), public schools have certain immunities from lawsuits. However, immunity doesn’t apply when schools act willfully or wantonly, or fail to exercise ordinary care in certain circumstances.
Important considerations include:
- Notice requirements – Claims against public schools typically require notice within one year
- Shorter deadlines – Different statutes of limitations may apply
- Damage caps – Limits on recoverable damages in some cases
- Private vs. public schools – Different rules may apply
Best School Injury Lawyers in Chicago
These Chicago law firms have experience handling claims against schools and school districts:
1. Phillips Law Offices
Phillips Law Offices is dedicated to protecting children injured due to school negligence. Their attorneys understand the complex immunity laws that protect public schools and know how to build cases that overcome these defenses. They handle playground injuries, bus accidents, bullying cases, and sexual abuse claims with sensitivity and determination.
2. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
This firm has represented families in cases involving school negligence, including catastrophic injuries and abuse cases. They have experience navigating governmental immunity issues and pursuing claims against school districts.
3. Clifford Law Offices
Clifford Law Offices handles serious injury cases involving children, including school-related accidents. Their resources allow thorough investigation of institutional failures.
4. Power Rogers, LLP
With substantial trial experience, Power Rogers can pursue school injury cases through litigation when necessary. They have the resources to take on large school districts.
5. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
This firm handles personal injury cases involving minors, including school accidents. They understand the special considerations involved in cases with child victims.
Injuries Requiring Legal Action
School injuries that may warrant legal claims include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns (chemical or thermal)
- Psychological trauma from abuse or bullying
- Sports-related concussions
- Severe lacerations or scarring
- Death from accidents or violence
Compensation for School Injuries
Families may recover damages including:
- Medical expenses – Current and future treatment costs
- Rehabilitation costs – Physical and occupational therapy
- Counseling expenses – Mental health treatment for trauma
- Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional distress
- Disability accommodations – Special education needs
- Future lost earnings – If injuries affect future work capacity
- Parent’s lost wages – Time taken off to care for injured child
Steps to Take After a School Injury
- Get medical attention – Document all injuries thoroughly
- Report the incident – Notify school administration in writing
- Request incident reports – Get copies of all school documentation
- Photograph injuries – Take photos as injuries heal
- Keep records – Save all medical bills and correspondence
- Interview witnesses – Talk to other students, parents, and staff
- Contact an attorney promptly – Strict deadlines apply for school claims
Official Resources
Related: Premises Liability Lawyers | Personal Injury Lawyers
]]>
