Background: Approximately 10-25% of child and adolescent injuries occur at school. Little is known about school-related injuries to teachers and other adults or about the direct cost of injuries to schools. This study examined the characteristics of cases involving injuries resulting in lawsuits against schools, compared cases in which schools…

What the law says about accidents in physical education classes. (Author)

Seven ways to avoid litigation are offered for the shop teacher's legal protection. (MU)

To obtain the best student accident insurance coverage for the least cost, programs offered by various companies should be compared on the bases of coverage limits for specific injuries, injuries not covered or only partially covered, whether students are overinsured or underinsured, and premium costs. (MLF)

A student teacher has very limited authority in the classroom and his/her position with regard to the law remains obscure. Very few statutes concerning student teachers' legal status exist, and there are even fewer court cases involving student teachers. (Specific statutes and cases are cited.) There are, however, numerous legal problems that both…

Guidelines are offered here for school practitioners to follow in order to safeguard themselves against tort action, which can arise from student accidents occuring during school activities, on or off campus. (Author)

The fact that a teacher is not present when a child is injured does not automatically mean that the teacher will be held liable. Liability attaches if injury is due to a dangerous situation that could have been prevented if the teacher had been present in the classroom. Courts do not hold teachers liable for unforeseeable behavior of children. (MD)

Safety has not been stressed adequately in most school systems, leaving students and teachers in unnecessary danger and schools subject to lawsuits. Creation of an effective school safety program involves establishing a written safety policy, appointing an active safety committee, and conducting safety inspections. (PGD)

One of the most frequently used legal defenses against the charge that a school employee or district has been negligent is contributory negligence. Contributory negligence means that the injured person failed to exercise the required standard of care for his own safety and, therefore, contributed to his own injury. (Author/WM)

This article provides teachers with an overview on tort liability as it applies to their profession, especially in relation to student injuries. Such legal concepts as tort, negligence, and in loco parentis are discussed and guidelines are drawn from selected court cases. (SJL)

Compares and contrasts two recent court cases concerning injuries to school children resulting from a lack of adult supervision. Although in Louisiana the courts awarded financial compensation to the family of the injured child, North Carolina courts dismissed the claims of a similar suit. (JBM)

A South Carolina school district has initiated an organized approach to playground safety that includes (1) a strict board policy governing the selection, purchase, and installation of school playground equipment; (2) regular inspections; (3) proper surfacing materials; (4) proper supervision; and (5) equipment replacement schedule. (MLF)

Describes the case of an injured student and a $1.5 million suit against the teacher, principal and board. (Editor/RK)

The intent of the book is to stimulate interest in the problem of shop-teacher liability and to identify certain needs which have not been adequately met by existing laws and statutes. Chapter 1, The Significance of Teacher Liability, discusses basic legal considerations, the environment of the school shop, and the possibility of liability.…

Examines the impact of the 1981 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for playground safety. Although compliance with the guidelines has not stemmed the rising number of accidents, it has enhanced awareness. This article offers an action plan which all communities can use to help alleviate liability problems. (SM)