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Advice on thinking about suing my child’s school.

219 replies

questio · 09/01/2025 09:50

My primary aged child was in school, walked past an interactive white board which had extremely sharp edges and it sliced in between his fingers, resulting in him having to go to the ER and having it glued and steri stripped and now bandaged up. He’s an elite dancer with a huge show coming up in 10 days, he tried training the evening after the accident but his wound split back open and he had to have it redone. He has been told no dancing for at least two weeks while it heals, this has really upset him, the thought of not being able to participate in a dance show he’s been training 12 hours a week + for the last 4 months has really put a dampener on his spirit. I emailed and asked the school to see the risk assessment on this whiteboard as why is it in a kids classroom if it’s that sharp. I didn’t get a reply email but the head rang me instead, saying they have removed it from the class room and contacted the company it’s from to return it as they were not aware it had sharp edges underneath. She was very apologetic and said they now have put the old one from the library in its place which has been checked and no sharp edges or any way to be a risk to injury and hopes this has reassured me.
Im not one to think about suing, I’ve never claimed against anything before but I’m considering speaking to some one, as this should have never happened in the first place. I’ve worked in schools and we risk assessed every item in that classroom before hand.
Yes I’m aware making a claim will not make my child’s hand heal any quicker and able him to get on that stage to complete his dance routine, but I feel more should of been done to prevent this from occurring and now because of their negligence I’m out of pocket due to dance subs and any dance moms will understand how expensive dance costumes, theatre tickets and all else that comes with it will understand.

any thoughts

Advice on thinking about suing my child’s school.
OP posts:
MyGhastIsFlabbered · 09/01/2025 11:09

Honestly, in a sane world this would be satire, but I fear it's not.

MrsSunshine2b · 09/01/2025 11:10

What kind of dancing is so hard on your fingers? 2 weeks off for a cut hand seems way OTT.

No, you should not sue the school. The interactive whiteboard should not be touched by the children unless being directly supervised by an adult and your son should have been well aware of that. Schools are underfunded enough without people suing because their kids don't follow instructions.

Animatic · 09/01/2025 11:11

I wouldn't sue them for a cut,no, as frustrating as it maybe.

The other thing I don't understand are the comments about "why he was sticking his hands under the board". Why not? Is it prohibited? That's quite a level of gaslighting here.

Lilactimes · 09/01/2025 11:13

Although some of the replies are brutal - they’re right IMO. Why would you sue the school, create a bad relationship with them, waste time money and energy? Your son will get better, he doesn’t need money for ongoing care.
As someone says earlier - this has created an opportunity for you to model resilience, this was an accident life is full of ups and downs, it’s been resolved, this will pass for your son. He can go to the show and support his team mates, help behind stage. Nothing in this scenario was malicious and school have promptly responded - hope you can move on and support your son in overcoming his obvious disappointment.

Tetchypants · 09/01/2025 11:14

Strictlymad · 09/01/2025 11:00

I don’t understand how walking past a whiteboard made it go in between his fingers?

I think it must have jumped out and attacked him as he walked past, obviously the child is completely blameless because he’s elite

Fluufer · 09/01/2025 11:15

Animatic · 09/01/2025 11:11

I wouldn't sue them for a cut,no, as frustrating as it maybe.

The other thing I don't understand are the comments about "why he was sticking his hands under the board". Why not? Is it prohibited? That's quite a level of gaslighting here.

Erm why wouldn't that be prohibited? Do you think schools usually allow children to stick their hands under wall mounted electronics?

INeedAnotherName · 09/01/2025 11:17

My primary aged child was in school, walked past an interactive white board which had extremely sharp edges and it sliced in between his fingers,

He wasn't just walking past it though was he? He shoved his hand where it shouldn't have gone. Have you never taught your child not to touch things that don't belong to him or has permission to touch?

DogInATent · 09/01/2025 11:18

What kind of dancing is so hard on your fingers? 2 weeks off for a cut hand seems way OTT.
Tibetan finger dancing. It's all the rage in Islington since Tabitha came back from her Himalayan retreat. She hasn't stopped talking about it, and she's found the most amazing monk recommended by the Tibetan consulate to run classes for the local schools. Lu Tze is working miracles with the little darlings every Thursday at 3.30pm.

ThejoyofNC · 09/01/2025 11:19

You took your child directly from A&E where he had an open wound glued together, straight to a dance class where he would be flailing his hand around and almost certainly would reopen the wound?

Maybe he should sue you.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 09/01/2025 11:19

You say 'I'm not one to think of suing' but you have thought of it. Seems that the school didn't notice they had been sold a dodgy whiteboard and as soon as you informed them they apologised, removed the board, contacted the manufacturer and made a note to be more careful in future. It's the most they can do. Do you really want to put them through the trouble and expensive of a legal case as well? You've already paid out the money for the dance event and it's really sad that your son can't attend, but these things happen sometimes.

Areolaborealis · 09/01/2025 11:20

The process could take years and the amount of money it would cost you in legal fees would make suing not worth your while.

Honestly, I'm surprised that you even went to hospital for such a small cut.

Haveyouseenthischicken · 09/01/2025 11:20

This is such a non issue. Suing?! For what? Your child wasn’t just ‘walking past’ the board was he? It sounds like he ran his hand along the underside/side of the mounted whiteboard and its sliced his hand. It’s not exactly normal to do that - why was he touching it?

It’s sad he can’t now compete in his competition but suing is so extreme. I almost hope this is satire.

The cut looks sore, but it’s hardly life altering. It’s not like he’s lost his hand or a finger. It looks like it didn’t even require proper stitches.

Hoppinggreen · 09/01/2025 11:20

How much money would make you feel better about the whole thing?

Deadringer · 09/01/2025 11:21

Ridiculous

Goldenphoenix · 09/01/2025 11:21

Accidents happen, you are over reacting. You would be very unreasonable to attempt to sue over this minor injury and would look like a crazy person. Please don't.

Thebellofstclements · 09/01/2025 11:22

This is just one of life's disappointments and there will be many more. Of course you don't sue the school.

Hoppinggreen · 09/01/2025 11:22

Animatic · 09/01/2025 11:11

I wouldn't sue them for a cut,no, as frustrating as it maybe.

The other thing I don't understand are the comments about "why he was sticking his hands under the board". Why not? Is it prohibited? That's quite a level of gaslighting here.

Pretty sure that sticking your hands in lots of places isn't prohibited but is just generally not a good idea and/or bad behaviour

RatalieTatalie · 09/01/2025 11:23

my daughter was an elite gymnast and 2 days before the biggest competition of her life (which would decided if she made it into the national team) a friend shut her hand in the boot of their coach's car. It was devastating for her that she couldn't compete and I had spent a fortune leading up to that event (years of fees, leos, music, routines etc). Suing wouldn't have helped anything. All she wanted to do was compete and even if she'd been award a billion pounds, that would have made no odds.

zingally · 09/01/2025 11:23

Firstly, why is your son running his hand underneath random objects? He must have been dicking around pretty hard to cause that cut.

Sorry, but accidents happen. Suing the school is going to achieve nothing.

Michellesbackbrace · 09/01/2025 11:24

For that to happen he must’ve actively run the gap between his fingers along it as he passed. I’d be asking him why he did such a stupid thing - not contemplating suing the school.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Oioisavaloy27 · 09/01/2025 11:25

Yabu

ThatSchoolOfficeLady · 09/01/2025 11:26

Thoughts?
Goady score 3/10
Imagination 2/10

caringcarer · 09/01/2025 11:27

It sounds like the school have done everything they can. They have removed the object that caused the injury. They apologised. You should be satisfied with that.

Nollybolly6 · 09/01/2025 11:27

YABVU

TallulahBetty · 09/01/2025 11:29

OP is clearly American ('ER'/'dance mom') where they sue for someone looking at you funny. OP, schools/LAs have no money as it is.