Washington, DC School Injury Lawyer

Seeking Justice for a Child Injured at School?

Regan Zambri Long’s award-winning Washington, DC School Injury Lawyers represent families whose children were hurt in situations that should have been safe, from classrooms and playgrounds to school buses and athletic programs. Our role is to step in, explain your options clearly, and protect your child’s rights from the very beginning.

Our premises liability lawyers bring nearly 200 years of combined legal experience to school injury claims, supported by the resources needed to investigate complex cases and stand up to school districts and insurers. We’ve recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts by preparing every claim with care, attention to detail, and a clear focus on accountability. Best Lawyers consistently names us among the Best Law Firms in America, and has honored our board-certified partners as Lawyer of the Year on multiple occasions. We front all case costs so families can pursue justice without added financial pressure, and more than 100 5 star Google reviews reflect the trust clients place in our guidance and advocacy.

Has your child been injured in a school-related accident? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will reach out to you. We’re available 24/7, and you won’t pay unless we win your case.

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Why Choose Regan Zambri Long As Your Washington, DC School Injury Lawyer?

Children have the same rights as adults in negligent personal injury cases. At Regan Zambri Long, we take the rights of children very seriously and we fight tirelessly to protect them. If your child has been injured, our DC Metro child injury lawyers will explain your legal options and the rights you and your child have.

Our work on behalf of injured children includes dozens of multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts in cases involving preventable harm, including injuries caused by unsafe school conditions, negligent supervision, and failures to protect vulnerable students.

 

During a free case evaluation, our experienced school injury lawyers will  assess your claim and help you decide the best course of legal action for your family. We cannot change what happen to your child, but we can make sure they receive fair compensation for healing and recovery.

 

Our attorneys bring a depth of experience and leadership that informs every school injury case we handle. All six partners are named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America list, and three partners are consistently recognized among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC. Our three founding partners are AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and board certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

 

That experience is further reflected in our leadership within the trial bar, with four partners having served as President of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association and the remaining two currently serving on its Board of Governors.

Regan Zambri Long’s personal injury attorneys are experts in school liability laws and will help you determine all liable parties. Once liability is established, your injury lawyers will pursue the following damages:

 

  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish
  • Funeral and burial costs if the accident results in wrongful death

What Are the Most Common Types of Accidents at Washington, DC Schools?

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Children can suffer many different school-related injuries. Many of the most common school injuries are avoidable and occur because of negligence. Common causes of school injuries are:

 

  • Slip and fall accidents: Slip and fall accidents account for over one million emergency room visits. Slip and fall accidents occur because of wet floors, faulty stairs, poorly maintained school structures, ice patches in the school parking lot, and other dangerous hazards. Slips and falls are one of the 7 most common causes of childhood injuries.
  • School bus accidents: Motor vehicle crashes are another leading cause of childhood injury. School bus accidents are caused by negligent school bus drivers, improperly maintained buses, driver inexperience, and lack of training. While your child is under the bus driver’s supervision, it is the driver’s responsibility to keep them safe. School districts are responsible for hiring and training quality drivers. According to the National Safety Council, school bus–related crashes resulted in injuries to about 5,000 passengers and 9 reported fatalities in 2023, showing how serious the consequences can be when safety standards are not followed.
  • Playground equipment: Many schools, especially elementary schools, are equipped with a full playground for the students. If the playground equipment is unsafe or out of date, kids may be injured. Negligent playground supervision is another factor in playground injuries. Each year, more than 213,000 children in the United States are treated in emergency departments for playground-related injuries, showing how frequently these accidents occur when equipment or supervision is lacking.
  • Sports injuries: Most school districts offer after-school sports programs. School athletics involve some inherent risks, particularly for head injuries. However, negligent supervision and dangerous equipment can also cause sports injuries. Across the United States, about 30 million children and teens take part in organized sports each year, and more than 3.5 million sports-related injuries are reported annually, showing how common these injuries can be when safety measures are not properly followed.
  • Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse: Some of the most heinous injuries students endure is abuse at the hand of an authority figure. Sexual abuse cases in elementary, middle, and high schools increased 55% between 2016-2018. More recent research has found that about 7% of school children report experiencing at least one form of educator sexual misconduct during grades K–12. In those cases, academic teachers were identified as the most frequent perpetrators at 63%, followed by coaches and gym teachers at 20%. Abused children not only have to cope with the physical pain of the abuse but also with the psychological trauma.

Other school accidents include:

 

If your child has come home from school with an injury, let Regan Zambri Long help. Contact our DC Metro law offices today for a free case evaluation.

What Are Common Types of School Injuries?

Childhood injuries can be more severe than the same injury to an adult, because of size, weight, and developmental differences. School injuries should be treated promptly to avoid complications and worsening of symptoms. Some of the most common and most serious school injuries include:

 

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Traumatic brain injuries affect how the brain works. A mild TBI can take several weeks to heal, while a severe TBI can take years to recover. Treating traumatic brain injuries can be costly, with medical treatment including surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even 24/7 care. 
  • Spinal cord injuries: Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injury and can lead to paralysis. In the first year after the injury, paralysis victims can pay up to $1,000,000 in medical bills, as well as undergoing significant lifestyle changes like installing ramps in houses, wheelchair-accessible showers, etc. Paralysis victims often suffer from depression following their accident.
  • Broken bones/fractures: Unlike adults, children’s bones are still growing, making them more susceptible to breaks and fractures. A slip and fall accident or a playground accident can leave the student with one or several broken bones. If the break is severe enough, the student may need surgery and many weeks out of school.
  • Emotional distress: Kids’ emotions are already fragile. They are learning about themselves and the world. If they suffer a severe injury, the emotional effects can far outlast the physical effects. Accidents are just as scary and traumatizing for kids as they are for adults. However, children have a harder time handling their emotions. If a child is abused by a teacher, the emotional effects can be catastrophic.
  • Suicide: The rates of child suicide have rapidly increased in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and across the United States of America, ranking as the second leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. Bullying, abuse, and neglect increase a child’s risk for suicide. Both parents and school districts have a role to play in protecting children. If a school repeatedly ignores a child’s cries for help before a suicide, the school may be partially liable for a death.
  • Wrongful death: When an accident or event takes the life of a child, parents may be eligible to recover compensation for wrongful death. While it does not replace your child, a lawsuit can provide closure for the family.

Other childhood injuries at school include:

 

  • Burns
  • Infectious diseases
  • Electrocution
  • Poisoning
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Organ damage
  • Internal bleeding

Regan Zambri Long’s school injury lawyers practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We are familiar with the personal injury laws in each jurisdiction and will help your family seek justice. Call our DC Metro area injury lawyers today for a free consultation.

Can You Sue a School District for Injuries in Washington, DC?

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Laws involving school liability vary from state to state and can depend on the facts of your case. In most cases, when you can prove that a school district or employee was negligent in protecting or intentional in harming your child, the district can be held liable. An experienced DC Metro injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process, whether it involves intentional torts or negligent torts.

Intentional Torts

Intentional torts are actions done on purpose that result in injury. If your child was bullied by another student and sustained an injury from the bullying, it is an intentional tort. In the case of bullying, the parents of the bully may be held liable for their child’s actions.

If a student abused by a teacher or other school administrator, that is also an intentional tort. The school district may be held liable for failing to conduct a background check or failing to closely supervise. While students are at public or private school, their safety is in the hands of the district employees.

Negligence

To prove negligence was the cause of your child’s school injury, you must prove the injury was foreseeable. If a school allows children to play on a rusty, poorly maintained playground, resulting injuries are foreseeable and the school can be liable for negligence.

A personal injury lawsuit is overwhelming when you’re focused on your child’s injury and recovery. Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC school injury lawyers will shoulder the legal burden so that your family can focus on healing. Call our experienced attorneys today to schedule your free case review.

Meet With a School Injury Lawyer Today

School Injury Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions

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

Medical attention is your top priority following any accident. Even if your child says they are fine, you should have them checked out to establish a record between the accident and any injuries that arise. Notify the school in writing as soon as possible after the accident. Finally, call Regan Zambri Long and let our premises liability lawyers investigate your case and gather evidence.

According to §12–301 of the DC Code, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Washington, DC is generally three years. Maryland is also generally three years, while in Virginia, the statute of limitations on personal injury claims is usually two years. However, exceptions can apply in cases involving minors, so you should consult with a premises liability lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options.

You can recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages during your child’s injury, and pain and suffering. Your Regan Zambri Long attorney will assess your case and ensure you receive a fair settlement.

School injury cases are challenging, but your family deserves compensation. Regan Zambri Long will handle the entire legal process and ensure your family receives a fair settlement. If the school or insurance company won’t make a fair offer, we will take them to court to demand justice.

Regan Zambri Long works on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay any legal fees until we’ve made a recovery in your favor. Your legal fees will be factored into and taken from your settlement or verdict.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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