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School Negligence in Improper Safety Instruction

Posted by: Craig A. Knapp
February 20, 2012
Topic: School Negligence

When sending their child off to school, most parents assume that their child is safe in the hands of school staff. After all, with so many policies, regulations, and adults around, a school should be one of the safest places for kids to spend time. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Many students are required and encouraged to participate in physical education in school in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and the benefits of exercising. However, physical education is one of the most potentially dangerous classes your child could take when not instructed properly.

Proper instruction and safety gear when playing sports or when around equipment is vital when working with children in schools. But, because of limited patience, time, and resources, schools, coaches, and teachers can be negligent while caring for your child in P.E. classes and clubs. Because of this, accidents can occur resulting in life threatening or life altering consequences.

For example, Trial Magazine tells the story of a 16-year-old in Washington who made the football team at his high school. After about 5 practices, he was put in a game despite a "10-practices rule", went for a tackle, and due to improper safety demonstration, suffered a spinal injury resulting in quadriplegia. Also, you may remember in March of 2010, the 16-year-old Ironwood High School student in Glendale, Arizona who drowned in his high school's pool during gym class, despite a teacher being present. Sadly, these horrific cases were completely preventable.

Both cases arose due to negligence of school personnel who are supposed to be protecting children during school. Although school personnel are ultimately responsible for the care of children during these classes, parents can take some precaution, as well. The best thing parents can do to help prevent an accident from happening to their child is to be involved. Find out what your child is doing in school, in gym class, or in their after-school club, and make sure that proper precautions are being taken. If your son or daughter is swimming, make sure that enough teachers are present and that your child is being taught the proper way to swim. Or, in the case of contact sports, make sure your child is being instructed properly and wearing adequate safety gear. If you find that they're not, notify the school principal and school board immediately.

If your child suffered a major injury or wrongful death due to the negligence of a school, do not hesitate to give Knapp & Roberts a call. Your child deserves to feel safe and protected when at school. Our expert attorneys will help you tell your story and fight to ensure the school takes all precautions necessary in the future to prevent an injury from happening to someone else. We understand what you're going through and we can help.


The Knapp & Roberts law firm represents serious injury and wrongful death clients throughout Arizona, including the communities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, Goodyear, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma in the Valley of the Sun - Maricopa County, Pinal County, Coconino County, Yuma County, and Gila County.