If your child was hurt on school property or even on a school bus, you might be able to hold the school liable for injuries in Georgia. These kinds of personal injury cases can be complex and can depend on a number of factors. On your own, it can be hard to understand the dynamics involved in an effective case. A local lawyer can help you make sense of your child’s rights and the school’s responsibilities.
Your case will benefit if you involve a personal injury law firm in your pursuit of damages. They will bring familiarity with state and local law and an understanding of representing minors to the table. They will also ensure you understand the details, nuances, and minutiae that govern your case and handle them for you.
Seeking Compensation From a Public Versus Private School
If your child attends or was visiting a public school when they were injured, your case will essentially mean seeking compensation from a government entity. These cases can be more complex than normal because they might entail additional notification and filing deadlines.
If your child attends or was visiting a private school when they were injured, your case might be slightly less complex.
Damages You Can Seek for Your Child
If your son or daughter was injured on school property, they can seek the same general damages an injured adult would be entitled to receive. A personal injury lawyer will help you assess and calculate their recoverable damages.
These can include:
- Current and future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Disfiguring injuries and permanent injuries
Because permanent injuries can affect your child for the rest of their life, their costs can be both significant and complicated. You do not have to make these complicated assessments on your own. An attorney in your area will ensure your case receives a comprehensive valuation prior to any settlement talks.
Understand How Time Restrictions Will Impact Your Case
For personal injury cases that involve public schools, you generally have as little as one year from the date of your child’s injury to settle your case out of court or file a personal injury lawsuit if a financial settlement is not forthcoming.
If your case involves a private school, the statute of limitations found in O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 may apply. It generally gives you up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your child is a minor, the filing deadline may fluctuate. The personal injury attorney who represents you will clarify the statutes as they apply to your particular case.
Your lawyer will also explain that just because your case cannot be resolved with a settlement does not mean you cannot receive compensation. If necessary, your lawyer will take your case to court and help you keep fighting for your son or daughter.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Start By Telling Your Lawyer How Your Child Was Hurt
Children can be active and energetic and can sustain injuries in a myriad of ways. If their injuries were the result of negligence, you and they could be entitled to compensation.
Some ways children might sustain injuries related to their school include:
- Bus accidents and incidents, including fights
- Various forms of discrimination
- Bullying and other acts of violence
- Unreasonable or excessive forms of punishment
- Sexual assault or misconduct committed by a staff member
These incidents are emotionally charged for you and your child and can be difficult to talk about. Your lawyer will create a safe environment and help you tell your child’s story. Understanding the details of your case will help them fight for the compensation you deserve while treating your family with kindness and compassion.
Your Lawyer Will Obtain Medical Records and Other Documentation That Supports Your Case
The state will ask you to prove the school was negligent to hold it liable for your child’s injuries. Proving negligence means establishing the at-fault party owed your child a duty of care, failed to provide it, caused their injuries, and caused their financial consequences.
Evidence your lawyer will collect to prove negligence includes medical records, school surveillance videos, school bus surveillance videos, witness statements, and police or incident reports. Your lawyer will handle evidence collection and will sort and organize your evidence for presentation to the school, their insurer, or in court.
Get a Free Review of Your Child’s Injury Case
Was your underage son or daughter injured at their school in Georgia? If they were, our personal injury lawyer will explain how you can hold the school liable for their injuries and related expenses.
Find out how hard we go to bat for you and your son or daughter by contacting one of our case review team members at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
