No parent wants to receive a phone call that their child has been injured at school. Yet every year, countless students in Fort Worth suffer preventable injuries in school buildings, on playgrounds, or while riding school buses. As a parent, you’re left dealing with medical bills, emotional trauma, and unanswered questions about what went wrong and who is responsible. Our Fort Worth school accident lawyer is here to help.
At Patterson Law Group, we know how overwhelming this situation can be. We’ve worked with families across Fort Worth to hold schools, school districts, and third-party contractors accountable for negligence that leads to injury. As experienced premises liability lawyers in Fort Worth, TX, our mission is simple: fight for the justice your child deserves and secure the compensation your family needs to move forward.
The Reality of School Accidents in Fort Worth
Texas schools are supposed to provide a safe environment where children can learn and grow. But accidents happen often because of avoidable hazards, careless supervision, or poor maintenance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 200,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year for playground-related injuries. A significant portion of those injuries occur on school grounds.
Closer to home, the Texas Department of Transportation reports that in 2023 alone, there were more than 2,500 school bus crashes across the state. Of those, over 400 occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These accidents don’t just involve buses—they can include crosswalk incidents, poorly secured school zones, or distracted drivers near school property.
When these accidents happen, they often result in broken bones, head injuries, spinal trauma, lacerations, and even emotional distress. As Fort Worth injury attorneys, we’ve seen firsthand how serious these injuries can be—and how difficult it is for families to get answers from school officials and insurance companies.
Common Types of School-Related Injuries
School accidents can take many forms. Some result from active negligence, while others stem from unsafe environments or poor oversight. The most common incidents we help clients with include:
Playground Injuries
Most playground accidents happen because of defective equipment, lack of maintenance, or inadequate supervision. Rusted chains, broken slides, and unsupervised climbing structures all pose serious risks. When staff fail to monitor play areas properly, children can fall, collide, or become entangled in equipment, leading to concussions, fractures, and worse.
Slip and Falls
Hallways, gymnasiums, and cafeterias can quickly become hazardous when spills are left uncleaned or floor tiles come loose. A wet floor with no warning sign can cause a child to slip and suffer a serious injury, especially if they fall headfirst. These incidents are not always freak accidents—they’re often a direct result of a school’s failure to maintain a safe environment.
School Bus Accidents
Many school injuries don’t happen inside the building at all—they happen on the road. School bus crashes can result from driver error, mechanical failure, or poor road conditions. We’ve handled cases where children were hurt due to unsafe stops, lack of seat belts, or negligent drivers. Under Texas law, school districts can be held liable in these cases if their negligence contributed to the crash.
Assaults and Bullying
Sadly, not all school injuries are accidental. Physical fights, bullying, or even assault can happen in hallways, locker rooms, and classrooms. If a school fails to intervene in repeated bullying or does not have appropriate security measures in place, it can be held liable for failing to protect students from foreseeable harm.
Sports Injuries
While some sports injuries are unavoidable, others happen because coaches push students too hard, fail to provide proper safety gear, or ignore signs of fatigue and injury. Schools have a duty to ensure practices are conducted safely and that all athletic equipment is regularly inspected.
Who’s Responsible for a School Injury?
One of the biggest challenges in school injury cases is determining who can be held legally responsible. In Texas, public schools are generally protected from lawsuits under a legal principle called sovereign immunity. This means you usually cannot sue a public school district unless the injury involved a motor vehicle or another narrow exception.
However, this doesn’t mean you have no legal options. Depending on the case, the responsible parties might include:
- The school district (in rare cases involving vehicle operation or gross negligence)
- Third-party vendors (bus companies, cafeteria contractors, janitorial services)
- Private schools (which are not protected under sovereign immunity)
- Individual employees or supervisors (in certain circumstances)
As your PI lawyers in Fort Worth, we will examine every detail of your case to identify all liable parties and build the strongest possible claim.
Understanding Texas Laws on School Injuries
In Texas, school injury claims are subject to strict legal rules, including tight filing deadlines. If the injury occurred at a public school, a notice of claim must be submitted within six months of the injury under the Texas Tort Claims Act (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Sec. 101.101).
Failing to meet this deadline can bar you from recovering any compensation, no matter how strong your case is. That’s why it’s crucial to consult a Fort Worth school accident lawyer as soon as possible after the incident. We can help ensure all paperwork is filed correctly and on time.
In private school cases, sovereign immunity typically does not apply, and standard personal injury rules are used instead. These claims are similar to slip and fall or premises liability cases, with a two-year statute of limitations.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
You may be entitled to financial compensation if your child is injured in a school-related accident. Every case is different, but damages may include:
- Medical bills: ER visits, surgeries, therapy, and ongoing treatment
- Future medical expenses: Especially for permanent injuries or disabilities
- Pain and suffering: For both physical and emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If the injury impacts your child’s ability to participate in school activities or sports
- Punitive damages: In rare cases involving gross negligence
We take the time to evaluate not just the current impact of the injury but also its long-term effects on your child’s development, education, and mental health.
How Our Fort Worth Injury Attorneys Can Help
At Patterson Law Group, we approach every school injury case with empathy, thorough investigation, and fierce advocacy. When you work with us, you can expect:
Personalized Legal Strategy
We don’t use cookie-cutter templates. We build your case around the specific facts, medical evidence, and legal details that matter most.
Comprehensive Investigation
We review school records, surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and incident reports. We’ll interview witnesses, speak with medical experts, and consult with education professionals when needed.
Clear Communication
We understand that families going through this process need updates and clarity, not legal jargon. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way and explain your options in plain language.
Results That Matter
Whether negotiating with insurers or litigating in court, our goal is to get you results. Our team fights for full compensation, not lowball settlements.
And because we work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
What You Should Do Right Now
Time is critical in school accident cases. Here’s what you should do today if your child has been hurt at school:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if the injury seems minor.
- Document everything. Take photos, collect witness names, and request an official incident report.
- Avoid signing anything from the school or their insurance provider before speaking with a lawyer.
- Contact our team for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and how to move forward.
We know how emotional and complex these cases can be, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About School Accidents in Fort Worth
Can I sue a teacher or staff member personally for my child’s injury?
Public school employees are often protected under the Texas Education Code and the Tort Claims Act if they perform their job duties. However, if the staff member acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, you may be able to bring a personal claim against them. We can evaluate the facts to determine if such a claim is viable.
What if the injury happened during an after-school program or field trip?
Injuries during extracurricular or off-campus events may involve liability beyond the school district, especially if a third-party organization was involved. For example, if a private company handled transportation or hosted the field trip, they could be held responsible for your child’s injury. We often investigate whether the school appropriately vetted and supervised the outside party.
Is there a difference between public and private school injury claims?
Yes. Public schools have sovereign immunity, meaning lawsuits are only allowed under specific conditions. Private schools, on the other hand, can generally be sued under standard negligence and premises liability laws. The path to compensation is usually more straightforward when a private institution is involved.
Can I file a claim even if my child wasn’t physically hurt?
Possibly. While physical injuries are the most common basis for claims, emotional trauma, especially from bullying, harassment, or unsafe environments, can also warrant legal action in some instances. Documentation from counselors, therapists, or psychologists can support these claims.
What if I signed a liability waiver for a school event?
Waivers do not always shield schools or third parties from responsibility, especially in cases of gross negligence or safety violations. Let us review the waiver to determine whether it’s legally enforceable.
Contact Our Fort Worth School Accident Lawyer Today
If your child has been injured at school in Fort Worth, we’re here to help. At Patterson Law Group, we combine compassion with powerful legal representation. As trusted personal injury lawyers in Fort Worth, TX, our goal is to protect your family’s rights and help you pursue justice.
Call us today or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation. Let a dedicated Fort Worth school accident lawyer from our team guide you every step of the way.
