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Minnesota School Injuries Lawyers

Aggressive representation when your child is injured at school due to someone else’s negligence

As a parent, sending your child to school should come with peace of mind. You trust the teachers, staff, and administrators to provide a safe, supportive environment where your child can learn, grow, and thrive. Unfortunately, accidents at school happen more often than most people realize, and when they do, the consequences can be devastating. At Bradshaw & Bryant, our Minnesota school injuries lawyers are here to fight for families when a child is hurt due to someone else’s negligence. Whether it’s a playground fall, a bus crash, or a sports-related injury, we’re committed to helping parents get justice and hold schools and other responsible parties accountable.

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Understanding school injury cases in Minnesota

Children spend a large portion of their lives in school buildings, on buses, and at school-sponsored activities. With so much time spent under the care of others, it’s no surprise that injuries can occur. Some are minor scrapes and bruises. But others involve serious harm, often caused by carelessness, unsafe facilities, or lack of proper supervision.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of death for children is accidents. While some accidents are truly unavoidable, many could have been prevented if proper safety measures were in place.

In Minnesota, public schools, private schools, and school contractors have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for children. When they fail in that duty, and a child is hurt, families may have the right to file a personal injury claim.

What are some common causes of school injuries in Minnesota?

School injuries can occur in many different settings, from the classroom to the playground to the parking lot. Here are some of the most common situations that lead to legal claims:

  • Playgrounds are one of the leading locations for school-related injuries. Children can fall from swings, slides, or climbing structures, especially if equipment is poorly maintained, broken, or lacks proper surfacing. Schools must inspect and repair playgrounds regularly to prevent these risks.
  • School bus drivers and transportation companies must follow strict safety protocols. But crashes still happen, often due to driver error, poor training, distracted driving, or mechanical failure. Children may also be injured while getting on or off the bus if not properly supervised.
  • Injuries during gym class or school sports, especially football, soccer, or basketball, can be severe. Concussions, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries can result from unsafe equipment, poor coaching, or failure to recognize and treat injuries quickly.
  • Wet floors, icy sidewalks, loose carpeting, or cluttered hallways can all lead to falls. Schools are responsible for maintaining clean and safe facilities, especially in high-traffic areas like cafeterias, stairwells, and entrances.
  • When school staff fail to intervene or prevent bullying, and a child is hurt physically or emotionally, the school may be liable. This includes injuries caused by other students or, in rare cases, inappropriate conduct by school staff.
  • One of the most common causes of school injuries is simple neglect. Teachers and aides are supposed to monitor children during lunch, recess, field trips, and gym class. When they don’t pay attention, accidents can happen quickly, and small mistakes can lead to serious consequences.

Who is responsible when my child is injured at school in Minnesota?

Identifying who is legally responsible for a school injury can be complex. There may be multiple parties involved, depending on where the injury happened and what caused it. Some of the parties that may be held accountable include:

  • Public schools in Minnesota have a legal obligation to keep students safe. If the district fails to maintain safe conditions or hire competent staff, they may be liable.
  • Teachers, coaches, bus drivers, and aides may be personally responsible in rare cases.
  • Private institutions are also required to meet safety standards and can be sued for negligence.
  • Many schools use outside vendors for food service, maintenance, or transportation. If a contractor’s actions cause an injury, they can be held accountable.
  • If a piece of playground equipment, sports gear, or other product was defective, the manufacturer may be liable under Minnesota product liability law.

At Bradshaw & Bryant, we conduct thorough investigations to determine exactly what went wrong, and who should be held responsible.

What are some common Minnesota school injuries?

Some school injuries heal quickly. Others can have lifelong consequences. These are just a few of the injuries we commonly see in Minnesota school accident cases:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Lacerations and deep cuts
  • Burns (from science experiments or faulty equipment)
  • Emotional trauma from bullying or assault
  • Internal injuries or organ damage
  • Drowning or near-drowning during school activities

Even when physical injuries heal, the emotional effects of being hurt at school can last a long time, especially if the child no longer feels safe in their learning environment.

What should I do if my child is injured at school?

If your child is hurt at school, your first instinct will likely be to make sure they’re okay, and rightly so. But once their immediate medical needs are taken care of, you should also think about protecting your family’s legal rights. Here are some steps to take:

  • Even if the injury seems minor, have your child examined by a doctor. Some injuries, like concussions, may not show symptoms right away.
  • Schools are usually required to document injuries. Get a copy of the report as soon as possible.
  • If you can, take pictures of the area where the injury occurred, your child’s injuries, and any equipment or hazards involved.
  • Other children, staff, or parents may have seen what happened. Get their names and contact info.
  • The school or insurance company may ask you to sign a waiver or release. Talk to a lawyer before agreeing to anything.
  • Contact our Minnesota school injury attorneys. The sooner we can start investigating, the better. The team at Bradshaw & Bryant is here to help.

Can you sue a school in Minnesota?

Yes, you can, but there are special rules when it comes to suing a public school in Minnesota. Because public schools are government entities, they are protected by a legal principle called “sovereign immunity.” This means you must follow specific procedures and deadlines in order to file a claim.

Under the Minnesota Tort Claims Act, you must file a notice of claim within 180 days of the injury if you’re suing a public school. This notice must include:

  • A detailed description of the injury
  • The time and place it occurred
  • The names of the people involved
  • The amount of compensation you’re seeking

If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to sue. That’s why it’s important to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney right away.

What is the value of my Minnesota school injury claim?

If your child was hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses, including ER visits, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and long-term care
  • Pain and suffering, which is the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
  • Loss of enjoyment, if your child can no longer participate in sports, hobbies, or daily activities
  • Disability or disfigurement, which includes long-term injuries that affect your child’s life
  • Parental lost income, if you had to miss work to care for your child
  • Future care costs, if your child needs ongoing medical treatment or special education services

We work hard to make sure families receive full and fair compensation for all the ways their child’s injury has affected their lives.

Why choose our Minnesota school injury lawyers for your case?

At Bradshaw & Bryant, we understand that school injury cases are not just legal claims. They’re deeply personal. As parents ourselves, we know how heartbreaking it is to see your child suffer. That’s why we take every case seriously, offering the following:

  • You’re not just another file. We take the time to understand your story and needs.
  • We hold schools and staff accountable and aren’t afraid to take your case to court if needed.
  • With decades of personal injury work in Minnesota, we know how to build strong, successful cases.
  • We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Let us help you protect your child’s rights and your family’s future.

Do you have a Minnesota school injury lawyer near me?

Bradshaw & Bryant proudly serves clients throughout the state from our offices located at 1505 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387, and 701 Xenia Ave. S., Suite 565, Golden Valley, MN 55416. We also offer virtual consultations or travel to meet with seriously injured clients if needed. If you’re in Minnesota and injured, reach out to us.

Contact our Minnesota school injury attorneys today for skilled legal help

If your child has been injured at school, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Bradshaw & Bryant is here to stand with you. We’re prepared to investigate what happened, hold the right people accountable, and fight to get your family the compensation you deserve. Let’s work together to make things right. Call or fill out our contact form to schedule your case evaluation today.