Champaign County School Injury Liability Lawyer

Attorneys for Accidents and Injuries at Public Schools in Champaign, Springfield, Decatur, and Peoria

Children spend a great deal of time in school, and teachers, administrators, and other school employees should always make sure that a school is a safe environment where students are protected from harm. When accidents occur or children are injured while on school property, parents will want to understand their legal options. Public school injuries may involve a variety of legal issues related to government liability, and when making a claim to recover compensation for a personal injury, families will want to work with a lawyer who has experience in this area.

Kanoski Bresney is one of the few central Illinois law firms with substantial experience pursuing claims against government entities. With over 40 years of legal experience, our attorneys have represented clients in a wide variety of personal injury cases, and we know how to help families take the right steps to receive compensation for school injuries. We have recovered more than $400 million for our clients, and we are prepared to do everything we can to make sure your family receives financial compensation for your damages.

Liability for School Injuries in Illinois

Children may suffer injuries while at school in a wide variety of circumstances. Slip and fall accidents may occur because of slippery floors, damaged stairwells, or other tripping hazards. Playground accidents may take place due to defective equipment. Children may be injured in pedestrian accidents at school crossings or while boarding or exiting a school bus. Other types of injuries can occur if proper supervision is not provided at all times.

While victims can typically pursue financial compensation from those who were responsible for an injury, there are some limitations that apply to liability for public schools and their employees. Under the Illinois Local Government and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10), a personal injury claim cannot be pursued based solely on the negligence of a school or its employees. Instead, victims will need to show that an injury occurred because of "willful and wanton" conduct in which action was not taken to address a foreseeable risk.

Willful and wanton conduct includes actions taken with the deliberate intent to cause harm to others, as well as reckless indifference to the safety of people or property. Some types of cases that may involve willful and wanton conduct include:

• Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse committed against a student by a school employee.
• Failure to respond to reports of bullying and take action to protect students from harm.
• Requiring a child to engage in sports or physical education activities even though they have a known injury or medical condition.
• Failure to provide protective equipment when students are participating in science experiments or other potentially dangerous activities.
• Failure to repair known issues such as roof leaks or missing floor tiles that increase the risks of slip, trip, and fall injuries.
• Lapses or lax security in parking lots, residence halls, and school buildings resulting in the sexual assault or other violent crime against a student.
• Failure to provide the education and educational experiences promised as part of the tuition contract, resulting in harm to a student's future career or educational path.

Contact Our McLean County School Liability Attorneys

If your child has been injured at school or while participating in school-related activities, our lawyers can help you understand your legal options. We will determine whether a school may be held liable for injuries that occurred because of the negligence of its employees, and we will make sure you meet all requirements for pursuing compensation, including filing the necessary claims within the right amount of time. With our help, your family can receive the financial resources that will allow you to recover from the harm you have suffered. Contact our office and schedule a free consultation today by calling 888-U-COUNT-2 or 888-826-8682. We provide legal help to families who have been affected by school injuries in the state of Illinois, including Bloomington, Sangamon County, Tazewell County, Adams County, Rushville, Champaign County, Peoria, Springfield, Macon County, Quincy, McLean County, McDonough County, Schuyler County, Decatur, Champaign, Pekin, Macomb, and Peoria County.