A child is injured at school: what parents should do and what the administration should do

If a child is injured at school, it is important for parents to know that the school administration is obliged to follow a clear algorithm.

Danylo Tryasov, attorney at law at LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS, told RBC-Ukraine in a commentary.

What a school should do when a child is injured

In case of injury to a child, the school administration must follow a clear algorithm of actions

• inform the nurse who assesses the child’s condition;
• call an ambulance if the injury is serious;
• notify parents immediately after the incident;
• accompany the child to the hospital if the parents do not have time – this should be done by a health worker or teacher.

‘Most often, parents do not have time to arrive quickly, so the principal orders a teacher to accompany the child,’ the lawyer explains.

At the hospital, doctors must examine the child and issue a certificate to the parents about the nature and severity of the injury.

How the investigation is carried out

Within a day of the incident, the principal must set up an investigation committee. Parents have the right to participate in its work: they can provide documents, explanations, and express their own opinion on the causes of the injury.

‘Parents can also apply for information about the consequences of the injury to be kept confidential if it could cause moral harm to the child,’ adds Tryasov.

If the school management refuses to investigate the accident, parents can contact the school founder (in the case of a private institution), the city or regional education department, or other state education authorities.

What liability is provided for

The administration and employees may be disciplined for violating the procedure, up to and including dismissal. If negligence has led to the death of a child, this is criminal liability (Article 137 of the Criminal Code), which even includes imprisonment.

Who is responsible for what

The lawyer notes that special attention should be paid to the responsibility of the administration of the educational institution and parents for the child at different stages of his or her stay at school:

• travel to and from school is the responsibility of parents (except for school buses);
• during the lessons – the teacher;
• teachers on duty in the corridors during breaks.

In the event of an incident, it is important to remain calm and insist on following the procedure. This protects not only the child but also the parents – legally and emotionally.