What should I do after a school injury?

After a school injury, getting medical care and properly reporting what happened help establish the record your claim needs.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS INJURED, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Safety and medical care come first. Call 911 when someone is injured. Gathering evidence should not delay emergency care.

REPORT THE INJURY PROMPTLY.

After a school injury, focus on the child’s medical needs and creating a clear record of what happened. Identify when, where, and how the injury occurred. Make a written report. Notify the appropriate school administrator and keep a copy. Include the date, location, injury, people involved, and witnesses you know about. Keep a record of whom at the school you notified.

Be proactive and gather any information you have about the incident or incidents and the timeline. Ask specific questions. Who responded? What medical attention was provided? Was an incident report created? Ask the school to preserve relevant reports, photographs, and video. Request available records, but understand that the right to inspect records in not the same as the right to receive copies. Student-privacy rules can affect access to certain information.

SAVE ALL MEDICAL AND SCHOOL RECORDS.

Make sure to tell the insurance provider that the injury happened at a school. Save all notes, restrictions, treatment recommendations, and dates of missed school.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT MOVING FORWARD?

The school’s internal report and an insurance or legal claim are separate processes. Do not assume the school’s investigation preserves all legal rights. The responsible school system, insurer, and claim process must be identified; public-school insurance arrangements vary. Meet with a qualified Attorney, who can explain your claim’s status, any issues, and what information is still needed.