We trust schools to protect our kids, and teachers and administrators are held to incredibly high standards to create secure learning environments. That means these institutions are safe places, right?
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of things that could go wrong on school grounds, and tens of thousands of injuries occur every year on these properties. This is partly because there are so many issues to account for. From bullies to weapons being brought to school and even defective playground equipment, school injuries occur at an alarming rate.
The Top 10 Dangerous School Items
10. Scissors
Many of the most dangerous items are staples of any classroom. In this case, scissors are commonly used for arts and crafts. Unfortunately, if kids are not adequately supervised, they may slip and suffer a severe injury.
9. Power Tools
Facilities that offer shop class give older students an excellent chance to learn practical skills like engineering or wood work. Unfortunately, the power tools used in these courses can cause devastating damage if incorrectly handled.
8. Knives
Many schools have a zero tolerance policy about knives. Still, they may be present in art classes or cafeterias, though they are not considered a deadly weapon in those contexts. Still, their use must be carefully supervised, and the school must do everything reasonably possible to keep weapons off their grounds.
7. Pens and Pencils
These are ubiquitous tools, but they do present an immense safety risk. Teachers must monitor how these items are used and ensure other rules (like not running) are followed to prevent potentially fatal accidents.
6. Chairs
All classroom and cafeteria furniture, if used incorrectly, could lead to an injury. Students must be monitored to guarantee they do not lean in or stand on chairs.
5. Poles
Schools must keep more than their classrooms secure; anything on the property, from fence posts to power lines and poles, must be managed and monitored safely.
4. Doors
Just like at home, doors can catch fingers and cause some incredibly painful injuries.
3. Stairs
Stair accidents can significantly affect a victim’s quality of life. Whether the culprit was a slippery step on a bus or a rushing student who was not paying attention to where he or she was going, proving fault is a big part of recovering damages in these events.
2. Carpets and Rugs
Along with stair accidents, carpets and rugs are responsible for many slips and fall accidents at school. Administrators must keep carpets in good shape and fix any tears as soon as reasonably possible.
1. Playground Equipment
Playground injuries commonly cause broken bones, and there have even been cases of strangulation and other fatal incidents.
Who Is Liable for These Accidents?
Just like doctors and business owners, school faculty and staff have to meet certain standards of care. For these professionals, this means preventing injuries when possible, creating a safe environment, correcting problems (whether a behavioral issue or an environmental problem, like a spill) as soon as possible, and supervising children at all times, whether they are in class, riding in a bus, or eating in the cafeteria.
When teachers and other school workers fail to meet these standards and it leads to an accident, there are several parties that may be held liable. These could include:
- Teachers, who may permit an action or fail to correct an unsafe condition.
- Administrators, who may fail to correct a problem when it is presented.
- Students, who may assault others or otherwise create an unsafe environment.
Depending on the situation, all of these parties may be held liable in a personal injury claim. If you believe your child was injured due to negligence at school, get in touch with a Charleston, WV personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. For more information, contact the team at Tiano O’Dell, PLLC today.