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Home » Injury » Can I Sue My Child’s School for an Injury in Florida?

Can I Sue My Child’s School for an Injury in Florida?

Can I Sue My Child's School for an Injury in Florida?

Zimmet & Zimmet is a law firm specializing in representing accident victims. Our school injury lawyers can provide experienced and knowledgeable representation for students and families who experience school injuries.

As children spend a significant portion of their day in school, it is not uncommon for accidents and injuries to occur. However, when a student sustains an injury due to the negligence or intentional actions of school personnel or other students, it can have serious and long-lasting consequences.

At Zimmet & Zimmet, we understand the complexities of school injury cases and work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the compensation and justice they deserve. Their experience and knowledge in this area of law enable them to handle a wide range of cases, including those involving bullying, playground accidents, sports injuries, and more.

If your child has suffered an injury while at school, it is crucial to seek the help of a qualified Florida school injury lawyer. Our team at Zimmet & Zimmet is committed to providing compassionate and aggressive representation for our clients, and they will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served.

Florida Law and School Injuries

In Florida, school injuries are a serious matter and can result in legal action being taken against the responsible parties. Florida law imposes a duty on schools to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. This duty applies not only to the physical condition of the school premises but also to the conduct of school personnel and other students.

If a student is injured while on school premises or during a school-sponsored activity, the school may be held liable for the injury if it can be proven that they were negligent. Negligence can include actions such as failing to maintain safe facilities, failing to supervise students properly, or failing to provide adequate warnings or instruction regarding potential hazards.

Florida law limits the damages that can be recovered in school injury cases. In general, damages for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering are limited to $200,000 per claimant and $300,000 per incident. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and it is always best to consult with a qualified school injury lawyer to fully understand your legal options.

Understanding Immunity in Florida School Injury Cases

Schools and school personnel in Florida may be entitled to immunity from liability in certain circumstances. However, this immunity is not absolute and may depend on the specific facts and circumstances of the case.

Florida law provides immunity from liability for schools and school personnel in certain situations, including:

  • Discretionary function immunity: This type of immunity applies when a school or school personnel make decisions that exercise discretion or professional judgment, as long as those decisions are made in good faith and are not the result of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
  • Sovereign immunity: This type of immunity applies to public entities such as schools and generally limits the damages that can be recovered in a lawsuit.
  • Limited waiver of sovereign immunity: This type of immunity applies in cases where a student is injured due to a dangerous condition on school premises, but only if the school had actual or constructive knowledge of the condition and failed to take reasonable steps to remedy it.

It is important to note that while immunity may provide some protection to schools and school personnel, it does not absolve them from their duty to ensure the safety and well-being of their students while on school premises or during school-sponsored activities. If your child is injured due to the negligence or intentional actions of a school or school personnel, you may still be able to recover damages.

Common Types of Incidents That Lead to School Accidents and Injuries

While school accidents and injuries vary, some common incidents that lead to these situations include the following:

  • Slip and falls: Slip and falls are a leading cause of school injuries. They can occur due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained facilities.
  • Playground accidents: These can happen due to defective equipment, overcrowding, or lack of supervision.
  • Sports injuries: Often due to inadequate safety measures, lack of proper equipment, or improper supervision.
  • Bullying: Bullying can cause physical injuries as well as emotional trauma.
  • Transportation accidents: These typically involve school buses, vans, or other vehicles and can cause serious injuries.
  • Classroom accidents: Accidents can occur due to chemical spills, fire hazards, or other unsafe conditions.
  • Negligent supervision: Negligent supervision by school personnel can lead to injuries from fights, accidents, or other incidents.

Each of the incidents listed here can potentially cause serious injuries and may be caused by school or employee negligence. At Zimmet & Zimmet, our school injury lawyers can review your case to determine if you have a viable claim.

Understanding Liability in School Accidents and Injuries

When a child is injured at school, liability can be determined based on several factors. To establish liability in a school injury case, the injured party must prove that:

  • The school or school personnel had a duty to provide a safe environment for the student.
  • The school or school personnel breached that duty through an act or omission.
  • The breach of duty caused or contributed to the student’s injuries.
  • The student suffered damages as a result of the injury.

The burden of proof is on the accident victim and their legal counsel. We understand what it takes to prove these challenging cases and can help injured students and their families achieve the best possible outcome for their legal claims.

Who Has the Legal Right to File a Lawsuit for an Injured Child?

In Florida, a child who is under the age of 18 is generally considered a minor and is not legally able to file a lawsuit on their own behalf. Instead, a parent, legal guardian, or another legally authorized representative must file the lawsuit on the child’s behalf.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In some instances, a child at least 16 years old may be able to file a lawsuit without needing a parent or legal guardian to act on their behalf. This can occur if the child is married, is an active duty military member, has been legally emancipated, or has been declared a legal adult by a court.

Compensation You May Recover if Your School Injury Lawsuit Is Successful

In a school injury lawsuit, damages may be awarded to compensate the injured party for their losses. The types of damages that may be recovered in a school injury lawsuit can be categorized as economic or non-economic damages.

Economic damages are intended to compensate the injured party for financial losses that result from the injury. These may include:

  • Medical expenses: Costs associated with medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost wages: Compensation for any income the injured party loses due to the injury.
  • Future earnings: Compensation for any loss of future earning capacity due to the injury.
  • Property damage: Compensation for any damage to property caused by the injury.

Non-economic damages are intended to compensate the injured party for non-financial losses that result from the injury. These may include:

  • Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the injury.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for any loss of enjoyment resulting from the injury, such as the inability to engage in previously enjoyable activities.
  • Disfigurement or scarring: Compensation for any disfigurement or scarring resulting from the injury.

If your child is injured at school, and you believe the injuries were intentional or caused by negligence, our school injury lawyers can help. We can review your case to determine if there is evidence to support your claims. If so, we can work to pursue compensation on behalf of your injured student and your family.

Zimmet & Zimmet School Injury Lawyers Can Help with Your Claim

At Zimmet & Zimmet, our legal team takes pride in representing students and families in cases of school injuries in Florida. Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of school injury cases and have a proven track record of successfully advocating for our clients.

We can help with many school injury cases, including slip and falls, playground accidents, sports injuries, bullying, and transportation accidents. We deeply understand Florida’s laws and regulations regarding school injuries and can provide compassionate and aggressive representation for our clients.

If your child has been injured while at school or during a school-sponsored activity, the team at Zimmet & Zimmet can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. We will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the best possible outcome for your case.

If you need help with a school injury claim in Florida, Zimmet & Zimmet school injury lawyers offer experienced and dedicated legal representation.

 

Have you been injured in an accident or fall? Do You have question and want to know your legal options.
Call 386-255-6400  for a free consultation and remember there is NO FEE unless WE Win.

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