What to Do if Your Child Was Injured on an Alaska School Field Trip
Most adults would recall fond memories of taking school field trips as a kid, and this tradition has carried over to today’s generation because of the benefits these excursions provide. The National Education Association (NEA) points out that students are visual learners, and these outings allow them to touch, listen, and experience the subject matter at hand. Field trips build on classroom learning, help kids understand their world, and give students perspective on places they might not otherwise see.
Unfortunately, a field trip can also put your child at risk of injuries. Schools may rely on volunteers or not use proper care with arranging these outings, and some excursions are not appropriate depending on age. It is upsetting to receive a call that your child was hurt, and some guidance on what to do may help you cope. Your first priority should be consulting with an Anchorage child injuries attorney about your legal options, but additional tips include:
Get Medical Treatment Right Away
Your top priority is taking care of your child’s health and well-being, but getting proper medical attention quickly is also important for legal reasons. When you are seeking compensation from the at-fault parties, delays send the message that your child’s injuries were not severe – otherwise you would have visited the ER, urgent care, or family physician right away.
Gather Evidence
If possible, collect information at the park, museum, zoo, or other attraction where the field trip accident took place. Take pictures and video of the dangerous conditions that led to your child’s injuries, and find out who was working or volunteering at the time. If first responders arrived at the scene, you might also be able to obtain an accident and/or police report.
Reach Out to School Administration
Though you should keep your conversation brief, contact school officials to get details about the incident in which your child was hurt. Find out:
- What teachers, volunteers, and parents accompanied the class trip;
- The specifics on the accident and how they compare to your child’s version of events;
- What activities your child was participating in when injured;
- The identity of any witnesses; and,
- How leaders of the field trip responded to the accident.
Use Caution in Dealing with Potential Parties
Aside from getting proper medical care, your To-Do’s after your child was hurt on a field trip should focus on seeking information – not giving it out. Do not mention what your child told you about the accident, and avoid making statements about fault. Keep in mind that you may be pursuing multiple parties for a field trip accident, including the school, bus company, owner/operator of the site, a negligent motorist, and many others.
Contact an Alaska Child Injury Lawyer to Handle Essential Legal Tasks
Our team at Power & Power Law is prepared to support you with these To-Do’s, which play an important role with respect to your legal remedies. To learn more about your rights after your child was injured in a field trip, please contactour offices in Anchorage, Alaska. We can set up a complimentary case evaluation to discuss the details.