Finding out that your child is being bullied at school is devastating. Bullying is a grave issue in our schools, with long-term impacts on both the child and parent. It is more worrying for parents that bullying acts often happen in hidden locations where there is an unlikelihood of an adult’s intervention.
When you learn that another kid is bullying your child, it is normal to feel infuriated at the school for not managing students. Sometimes it can also feel like the bully’s parents are aware of the bullying, but are not doing anything to stop it.
Unfortunately, the law does not outline a distinct punishment for children found guilty of bullying. This, however, does not imply that your hands are tied.
If your child is being bullied, you can sue the school and the bully’s parents for personal injuries and other damages caused.
Here’s how to prove that your child was bullied and deserves compensation.
Talk with a Teacher, School Head, or Related Authority
When a child reports that they are being bullied, the first thing you should do is to notify school authorities. You can start by talking with a class teacher, counselor, or principal about the issue.
In most cases, the school will take swift action to punish the bully and get counseling help for your child. This also means that the school is aware of the bullying. If you feel like the school is not doing enough to protect your child from bullying, you sue the school for inaction that resulted in negligence.
Instead of federal and state laws on bullying, lawmakers leave it to schools to develop policies that prevent and punish bullying. When a school learns of such an incident and does not take action, then it has breached its duty of care towards students.
For any successful personal injury claim, the claimant has to prove negligence. Talking with a school authority before suing will prove that your child was indeed bullied.
Determine the Form of Bullying
Putting a name to the form of bullying that your child is experiencing will help chart the way forward. Bullying can occur in many forms, including sexual abuse, physical violence, verbal abuse, and psychological bullying.
Some of these acts might have different legal repercussions than others. This is why it is critical to understand what your cold is going through to its entirety.
For instance, sexual violence is a crime and requires a formal police investigation while racial slurs might warrant a civil lawsuit.
Determining the form of bullying will provide supporting evidence to prove that your child needs compensation.
Document Supporting Information
In a bullying lawsuit, the more evidence you have, the higher your chances of getting duly compensated.
Document related information from when you learn about the bullying and where it is happening. Take photographs of any sustained physical injuries and store the resulting medical bills.
Many scientific studies have also shown the psychological effects that bullying has on children. Ensure that you get a mental health assessment report to prove psychological injuries too.
If possible, take detailed notes of your initial complaints to the school administration and how they failed to take action.
Call an Attorney
After determining the form of bullying, contact an experienced bullying lawyer to guide you in the legal process. It is likely that such an attorney has initiated many bullying lawsuits and thus, understands related laws to their full extent.
A lawyer will also help you gather evidence to prove the bullying and get justice for your child. They will also help in negotiating a compensation amount that equals the current and any future injuries caused by a bully.
