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AIBU?

DD and broken teeth

35 replies

instanaan · 09/10/2019 15:45

DD11 was in a drama lesson at school, wrapped up in a dust sheet that was being used as a prop when a friend pulled it and she landed on her face, breaking and dislodging both front teet.

The teeth are being supported by a wire,she is in pain, can't eat and we are looking at a potential lifetime of dental treatment.

She's just started year 7 and was just about settling down after a very rocky start when this happened and it's a real set back. The school don't seem that bothered by it and have for example, given her a detention for not handing in homework on the day it happened (because she was at the dentist getting emergency repair).

AIBU to pursue this further with the school or is it just one of those things. I have lost all sense of perspective but feel so emotional and upset by this incident.

OP posts:

Report

DeRigueurMortis · 09/10/2019 15:58

Sorry to hear this.

In terms of the incident itself, from what you've posted it sounds like an unfortunate accident and I'm not sure what you can expect from the school (unless you believe the student who pulled on the sheet did so maliciously).

On the other hand I don't think it would unreasonable to email the school and ask that the punishment for not handing in her homework should not stand given the circumstances (and I'd be surprised if this was simply anything more than poor communication).

It's an upsetting time for you and your DD but modern dentistry can go incredible things (my DS smashed his front adult tooth - it was reconstructed and you can't tell whatsoever).

TheTrollFairy · 09/10/2019 16:00

I would speak to the school. It doesn’t seem fair that your DD is being punished for the homework when the accident happened at school

adaline · 09/10/2019 16:04

Is the teacher who gave the detention aware of what happened and when?

flumposie · 09/10/2019 16:05

Teacher here. Please take it further .

MT2017 · 09/10/2019 16:08

No real advice but for you and your DD, what a dreadful thing to have happened.

Offtherails12 · 09/10/2019 16:14

My friend broke his front tooth after leap frogging over a post.

You really can't see the difference now. He does say that occasionally the replacement comes off (from other silly judgements - never did learn his lesson) and it costs him £80 for a new one.

If the NHS won't cover replacements to standard I would sue for medical costs - that's why schools have insurances; it's not going to come out of art supplies etc. Touch wood I've never had to sue anyone but that's why places are insured.

instanaan · 09/10/2019 17:35

I did ask if the school had insurance for this sort of thing. I know the sports club I'm part of does but have not had a response.

Even then, I'm not sure if it would be as simple as me putting in a claim or whether I'd have to sue them for it. Is letting 11 year olds mess around with equipment incorrectly something you can sue for?!

I know nothing about insurance/litigation unfortunately/fortunately.

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seaweedandmarchingbands · 09/10/2019 17:41

I’m not sure you would successfully be able to sue them for your child’s decision to cover her own body in a sheet. Do speak to them about the detention, though.

seaweedandmarchingbands · 09/10/2019 17:42

Very upsetting, though and I hope she is recovering.

mcmooberry · 09/10/2019 17:42

Would usually roll my eyes at talk of legal action but in this case, would strongly advise you pursue a claim for the cost of her treatment as with private treatment all options will be open to her vs NHS treatment when they probably won't be. It's not as straightforward as an accident imo and I am very sorry to hear about it, would be upset too.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 09/10/2019 17:46

Why was she wrapped up in the dust sheet? Was it part of the lesson or was she messing around?

RuffleCrow · 09/10/2019 17:49

I'm not sure of the legal side but for your dd's sake there's a humourous children's graphic novel called Smile by Raina Telgemeier which is all about the author going through exactly the same thing at about the same age. My kids all love it (and the rest of the series) - highly recommend. Might help her to feel less alone with it.

recrudescence · 09/10/2019 17:49

Do you know exactly how the accident happened? The detail here is important. Schools are often sued successfully for negligence - speak to a lawyer if you think you’ve got a case.

MatildaTheCat · 09/10/2019 17:51

Consult a decent personal injury lawyer. The school certainly will be insured and this sounds like a painful, long lasting and expensive injury that occurred on their watch.

Speak to the school about any adjustments she needs as she recovers and query the need for the detention. Do NOT mention the potential claim. It could take a very long time and will almost inevitably cause some ill feelings.

TheFairyCaravan · 09/10/2019 17:55

My brother hit me in the mouth with a tennis racket at a similar age which ruined my front teeth. I've had to have root fillings, oral surgery, veneers and crowns. I'm 48 and the next thing will probably be implants.

Please take it further. It's not fair that she's now going to end up with a lifetime of dental treatment and/or pain because of this. The school should have insurance.

AlpineCoromandel · 09/10/2019 17:57

I'd be suspicious that the child who pulled the dust sheet had done it too violently on purpose for it to cause that.
They should cancel the detention once you explain.

instanaan · 09/10/2019 18:03

She walked in the room and her friend was playing with the sheet. She wrapped herself in it and then the friend pulled the sheet. The class had just begun. It has been logged in the accident report that wrapping in sheet and pulling was "the game they were playing".

Another complexity to this is that she has an earlier dental injury that resulted in a smaller chip in one of the teeth and mild discolouration of the other. The discoloured tooth was being monitered by a specialist endodontist but at last visit, the nerve was responding.

Presuambly, even though this new injury is far worse, it would be difficult to say which event caused any future issues?

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sweeneytoddsrazor · 09/10/2019 18:06

So if she was messing about with her friend why would you sue the school. At 11 they are old enough to know better. If she stuck her finger in a bunsen burner during a science lesson would it be the schools fault.

TwattingDog · 09/10/2019 18:06

Claim. It doesn't matter about the previous injury, it's just part of the circumstances.

The school will have liability insurance.

recrudescence · 09/10/2019 18:06

Was the teacher present? Was this game part of the lesson? Did the teacher ask them to stop? I agree that your daughter’s existing dental problems are a complicating factor but, again, the right legal advice is essential in moving forward.

TwattingDog · 09/10/2019 18:09

@sweeneytoddsrazor the law isn't as simple as that. In H&S law, the onus is on the school to prove they did all that was reasonably practicable to prevent the harm. If it was the first time a child had used a Bunsen and not been shown properly how to use it, the school would likely be found at fault.

That said, it's not as simple as one scenario against another. The facts are case specific, so comparisons help no one.

seaweedandmarchingbands · 09/10/2019 18:09

Once people start suing schools whenever an accident happens (as opposed to negligence) it’s sort of a death knell for any fun, isn’t it?

PablosHoney · 09/10/2019 18:10

Isn’t it misadventure on the children’s part? Was the teacher there?

instanaan · 09/10/2019 18:11

The teacher was in the room and saw it happen.

OP posts:

PablosHoney · 09/10/2019 18:12

The teacher should have stopped them imo

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