Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law represent students injured in the classroom in Choctaw, Oklahoma. If your child has suffered injuries in the classroom, on the playground, or anywhere on school property due to a hazardous condition or careless act, then we can help.
We advocate on behalf of injured students to ensure they are compensated for medical bills, missed time at school, and mental trauma after suffering an injury at school. Parents seeking justice on behalf of their child should contact Ylla | Gosney today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to better understand their legal options.
Do I Need a Lawyer if My Child Was Injured at School?
If a student suffers an injury at school due to a hazardous condition, it will most likely be considered a premises liability. If an individual, company, or government entity fails to exercise reasonable care over their property, such as a classroom, and someone gets injured, they can be held liable for premises liability damages according Oklahoma Premises Liability Law, Title 76. Torts 76-80.
This law states that property owners must keep their property reasonably safe and warn people who come onto their property about possible dangers. At Ylla | Gosney, if your child has been injured due to an unsafe school environment, then we will take the following steps to pursue fair compensation on behalf of you and your child:
- Increase your initial settlement by letting the insurance adjuster know you intend to invoke your right to fair compensation and engage in settlement negotiations
- Make you aware of the compensation you are owed to treat your injuries, make a full recovery, and cover future potential damages
- Help you understand what your case is worth based on the details of your case
- Build a case by gathering evidence such as:
- Proof of the damages your child has suffered
- Evidence that a person, or the school, was liable for your injuries
- Evidence that the accident was in no way you or your child’s fault, nor could they have done anything to prevent it
- File a claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached, and present your child’s case in front of a jury
Who Can File a Claim for Children Injured at Choctaw Schools?
The potential for serious injury, trauma, and life-altering accidents is much higher for children than for adults. Also, children are far more susceptible to serious and long-term injuries as their bodies are not as fully developed. For these reasons, it is critical to receive fair compensation for a child if they suffer injuries at school. At Ylla | Gosney, we can help you take the first steps by filing a lawsuit on your child’s behalf. But when a minor is involved, a common question is who can file a claim?
In the state of Oklahoma, a minor is considered anyone under the age of 18. Minors are not allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, they are still entitled to financial compensation for damages when caused by a school, or another party.
In order for a minor to recover compensation, an adult or legal guardian must file the lawsuit on their behalf. The adult, not the child, will have to show how the other party was responsible for their child’s injuries. However, if the adult does not want to file a lawsuit, then they can wait until their child is 18. This is covered under Oklahoma’s Statute of Limitations Law.
Damages Available for School Injuries
Whether your injury occurred in a privately or publicly owned school, you are entitled to receive full compensation for the damage done to your life. Our law firm helps injured students across Oklahoma receive immediate medical resources and financial compensation for the following damages after a school injury:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation, therapy, in-home care, nursing care, medical devices, and medication
- Lost wages and employment benefits (if applicable)
- Permanent disability
- Reduced or lost earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Costs to repair or replace damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Negative impact on mental health
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Types of Choctaw School Classroom Injuries
Injuries in a classroom are possible at any time a child is present. Children are walking in and out of classrooms every day, so if a hazardous condition is left unrepaired or a teacher is inattentive to students who may cause harm to other students, then an injury is bound to happen. According to a study by Princeton University, roughly 10% to 25% of injuries to school-aged children occur on school property. The most common injuries students suffer include:
- Bruises
- Minor cuts
- Broken bones
- Choking
- Sprains
- School Bus Injuries
- Sports injuries
How Common Are School Injuries?
According to the Consumer Safety Commission’s (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, over 175,000 school injuries have resulted in a visit to the emergency room over the past ten years. The study also revealed that school injuries tend to occur more frequently during the first few months of the school year as everyone is adapting to new routines, bus routes, and joining sports teams.
What is a Choctaw School Injury Worth?
The value of a student injury claim varies widely from case to case. The amount of compensation your child can receive after an injury on school property will be largely dependent on the financial value of their losses. For example, if their injury required extensive treatment and a serious alteration to their life, then the value of your child’s case will most likely be relatively high. Here is a list of factors that may contribute to the value of your child’s injury claim:
- The severity of your child’s injury
- The cost of your child’s medical treatment to date
- Any special needs created by the injury
- Whether your child requires ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, or therapy
- The expected long-term impact and recovery time
- Your child’s educational prospects and earnings after the accident
- Changes to your family’s quality of life post-accident
Contact Ylla | Gosney Choctaw School Injury Lawyers
If your child has sustained injuries due to a premises liability or a careless act at school in Choctaw, Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law are here to get you the maximum compensation for the damage done to your child’s life. A common mistake parents make is underestimating the long-term effect a school injury can have on a child’s life. Many of these unfortunate incidents come with unforeseen trauma and financial stress for you and your child.
That’s why we help parents obtain compensation to cover all scenarios their child may face after a serious injury at school. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action and protect your child’s future. Contact Ylla | Gosney today for a free consultation and case evaluation.