New York’s personal injury law firm
Click For Your Free ConsulationPosted in Slip and Fall Accidents on May 20, 2022
It is frightening to think that we could send our children to school and that they could be injured because of a slip and fall accident. We expect our schools to be safe environments for our children to learn and grow. Unfortunately, however, slips and falls at school in NYC are more common than parents may realize.
Slip and fall accidents occur for many reasons. The most common reason is that a party was negligent in maintaining safe premises. Unfortunately, the halls, stairs, and rooms of a school have hundreds of people traveling across their surfaces each day. Some falls at school might occur because a child was not paying attention, had an awkward moment, or was not following directions. However, some slips and falls at school are caused by other factors, including:
Inadequate maintenance and lack of inspections can lead to many of the problems that cause falls at school. Unfortunately, the children are the ones to suffer the most.
The injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls at school can vary from bumps and bruises to severe injuries. Examples of injuries children might sustain in a fall at school include:
A child might need emergency medical treatment at a hospital. In some cases, a school injury may require surgery and extensive therapy. Sadly, some students sustain permanent impairments because of slips and falls at school. Your child could experience cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments because of a school injury. In addition, their fall at school could result in developmental delays, learning problems, and social issues. Your child deserves to be compensated for their physical injuries and emotional distress. You and your child deserve compensation for the financial damages caused by a school accident.
Property owners owe a duty of care to provide safe premises for visitors and guests under premises liability laws, including schools. Additionally, school administrators and government agencies owe a duty of care to the children placed in their care. When these parties breach their duty of care, they may be liable under tort laws. Most government entities are protected from lawsuits by sovereign immunity. New York has waived sovereign immunity for some personal injury cases. However, suing the state or a municipality is a complex undertaking. There are different rules and laws that apply to claims filed against government entities. For example, an injured party is generally required to provide a Notice of Claim to the municipality or state informing it that you sustained an injury. You could have as little as 90 days after the injury to file the Notice of Claim. Additionally, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against a government entity may be shorter than the deadline for filing lawsuits against private individuals and companies. Therefore, it is wise to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after your child has been injured on school property.
Your first priority is your child’s health and wellbeing. Seek immediate medical attention. Document your child’s injuries through photographs and detailed records. Seek legal advice from an experienced New York City personal injury lawyer. A lawyer understands the steps to take to protect your child’s right to proceed with a claim against the school for negligence or wrongdoing. Your child could be entitled to compensation for damages, including:
Parents may also be entitled to compensation for their loss of income and other expenses if they miss work to care for their child. A school injury lawyer assists parents in pursuing claims for all compensation they or their child are entitled to receive after an injury on school grounds.
If you need legal assistance, contact the New York City slip and fall accident lawyers at Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation.
We have two convenient locations in New York:
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
450 7th Ave #409
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564-2800
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
26 Court St Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600