Keeping our children safe in school, summer camps, and playgrounds is a primary responsibility of those who are in charge of school programs. When a child becomes injured from an event, a classroom activity, or sport, the claim falls under negligent supervision. When this happens a school will have a good chance of coming out unscathed if their policies for school safety are clear and concise.

In lawsuits of school premises liability, plaintiffs are more likely to garner favor when a facility fails to maintain its campus and school equipment and does not instruct and supervise students in safe and appropriate ways. A good way to avoid claims like these is to keep the building and grounds free of hazards and maintain them on a regular basis.

Maintain Grounds to Avoid Liability Lawsuits

In New Jersey, a K-8 school system in Freehold passed an agreement to ensure the health and well-being of the district’s pupils is intact. This kind of move is becoming more common as schools are looking to uphold their image and keep their students safe in every way possible, especially in the wake of a broader topic of discussion of school safety in relation to gun violence.

The first step to ensure that the school is protected is to invest in an educators liability policy, which is specifically designed to provide protection for schools, their employees, and their districts when it comes to liability claims. Schools need to make sure they are maintaining their own integrity while bolstering that of their students.

When a child is injured after falling from a playground slide or jungle gym, the injured party may be able to make a claim that the school failed to maintain the safety of the student. Was there shock-absorbing surface on the ground? Was the equipment unkempt? Investigators will look into this to determine the issues that led to the injury.

To maintain the overall safety of students on campus, an inspection system is the best way to achieve integrity. Inspections play a major role in finding what needs to be fixed and in what order. Whenever children are near equipment for any reason, teachers and program administrators have a duty to make sure that equipment is always in the best condition and maintained on a regular basis.

Negligent Supervision

From TV’s to folding cafeteria tables to chemicals left in the classroom, there are many different factors that play a role in the safety of students. Staff must constantly keep an eye on not only the students but the premises around them. Knowing what to be aware of in areas that children are and how to safeguard them are among the most important responsibilities of adults who are responsible for student safety.

When a dangerous situation is potentially identified, school leaders should discontinue the activity at hand or modify the activity. There can be adjustments made to avoid contact with whatever is defected and repairs can be made to make sure all are safe.

About PGUI

Professional Governmental Underwriters, Inc., is a full-service risk management company dedicated to assisting public, educational and non-profit entities in the management of their professional liability exposures including educators liability insurance. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art professional underwriting management and loss control advisory services on behalf of our designated carriers. For more information, call us toll-free at (800) 586-6502.