Tampa School Accident Lawyer
Every parent fears getting the phone call telling them that their child has been involved in an accident while on school property. While the majority of Tampa-area schools do everything they can to keep the students under their care safe, injuries still happen on a daily basis. Sometimes nobody is at-fault for what happened. Unfortunately, there are situations where negligence on the part of the school did play a key role.
An experienced Tampa school accident lawyer can review your child’s injuries and advise you on the potential for seeking compensation from the school and its insurance company. The laws governing claims against schools–particularly public schools–are much more complex than those governing other types of personal injury cases. The team at Anderson & Anderson will therefore conduct a full investigation on your child’s behalf to determine exactly what happened and who can be held legally responsible.
How Is a Tampa School Negligent Under Florida Law?
The most common form of personal injury claim against a Tampa school is for negligent supervision. The main function of any school is to supervise the children entrusted to their care. So if a teacher or other school employee’s failure to supervise leads to a child’s industry, then the school district itself may be on the hook for any damages. Similarly, if a school fails to properly screen or train employees, they may be liable for negligent hiring practices if an unqualified or untrained employee’s actions lead to a student injury.
Some examples of school accidents where the school district may be held legally responsible include:
- Bullying and Assault by Other Students
- Pedestrian Accidents at School Crossings
- Playground Accidents
- School Bus Injuries
- School Shootings
- Sports Injuries
If your child’s accident or injury occurred on the property of a public school, you will likely have to comply with the terms of the Florida Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This law waives the normal sovereign immunity of the state and its subdivisions, including school districts, for personal injury claims. But you cannot directly sue the school district. You must first file an administrative claim, which gives the school time to investigate your child’s accident and decide whether to pay. If you are dissatisfied with the school’s response, you may then file suit. But the FTCA limits recovery against a public agency to just $200,000 per claim or $300,000 if multiple people were injured.
It is important to emphasize, however, these rules only apply to personal injury claims made against a public school. It does not cover any third parties who may have contributed to your child’s school accident, such as a reckless driver who hits your child in a school crossing. Any such cases are covered under Florida’s normal procedures for handling personal injury claims.
Contact Anderson & Anderson Today
No parent sends their child to school thinking they may be seriously injured in an accident. But if the worst does happen, you must be prepared to assert your child’s legal rights. Our Tampa school accident lawyers are ready and able to render assistance. Call Anderson & Anderson today at 813-251-0072 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.
