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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:
MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 09/01/2025 12:48

To those questioning why he can't dance for two weeks... the dance school can spot this grifter a mile away and don't want to risk him pratting about and splitting the wound again in case she sues them too.

Pancakeflipper · 09/01/2025 12:49

@SweepingChimneys
Fair point, well made.

CoffeeGood · 09/01/2025 12:51

Why were your 9/10 year old hands near the whiteboard in the first place?

user3827 · 09/01/2025 12:52

So take away more money from your child's school?

RatalieTatalie · 09/01/2025 12:54

SiobhanSharpe · 09/01/2025 11:34

Bit of a side issue but what exactly is an 'elite dancer' please? Is it ballet, tap, ballroom, street or hip-hop kind of thing?
And what's the definition of elite? DC are grown but while at school one used to play rugby for his county. Would that make him an elite player? Or would it be more like for an England junior squad eg under 16s. Just after a bit more info for context.

i don't know about dancing as such, but in gymnastics there are a specific set of grades you have to pass before you can be classed as 'elite' although lots of people in the sport misuse the term for anyone who is training multiple hours a week.

FatFiatMultiplaWhopper · 09/01/2025 12:54

You're being deeply unreasonable.

rainbowstardrops · 09/01/2025 12:57

Why was your son touching the bottom of the whiteboard? Unless of course it jumped off the wall, sliced his hand, did a pirouette and threw itself back on the wall?
Wind up.

justteanbiscuits · 09/01/2025 12:57

Willing to put money on the OP not responding. There is a rash of controversial posts this week where the OP never returns

TheDowagerCountessofPembroke · 09/01/2025 12:58

£10 the op never comes back.

Longma · 09/01/2025 12:59

How did the injury happen?
It can't have happened just by walking past the board. He must have been touching it in some way.

Where was his hand? On the front part of the IWB?

We have iWB all across school, like most - if not all - schools. On the front and sides none have any sharp bits. I haven't spent much time looking behind them or under them but imagine there will be some sharper areas where cables are connected etc

Longma · 09/01/2025 13:00

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.

Because it's not the norm to be putting their hands behind and under the IW! And lost children know not to do so

Nazzywish · 09/01/2025 13:03

Well if you sue them then that's less money in the pot for school to get a new whiteboard or other supplies, they are on the bare bones of funding as is. I think given the school have acted on your concern by removing the whiteboard, apologising and noted for future as a learning point then that's enough.

cabbageking · 09/01/2025 13:11

It was an accident.
The school have taken action and your post does not refer to them ignoring a previous issue. I am not sure you have a case.

You sue for negligence and not accidents.

Shinyandnew1 · 09/01/2025 13:13

How did him walking past it mean his hand got sliced between his fingers?!

Bethany83 · 09/01/2025 13:13

Please don't sue your primary school. Whatever money that came your way from something like this is money taken away from the school and therefore the children. Schools have no money anymore. Accidents happen. It's annoying, it's a shame etc but it was an accident.

AndrewPreview · 09/01/2025 13:17

Do you want a decent relationship with the school going forward OP? because suing them will most definitely hamper that.

They took your comments on board and immediately rectified the issue.

sugarapplelane · 09/01/2025 13:19

Come on Op. A bit of common sense please.
It was an accident. You need to teach him that these things happen, it’s a shame that he may not be able to dance. But this is life. It doesn’t always go according to plan. Teach resilience and maybe work on your own at the same time. It isn’t always someone else’s fault.
What would you do if your child came down with flu the day before the show? Make him dance as the show must go on as he’s elite and you’ve spent a lot of money or keep him home as he’s ill?

CatamaranViper · 09/01/2025 13:20

I walk past IW (and many more much more dangerous objects) multiple times a day and have never sliced between my fingers open.

Sorry your son is in pain, but he was clearly messing around and has been injured as a result. Was a teacher in the room when it happened?

Justnippinginthegaragelove · 09/01/2025 13:21

This is crazy, it's an accident!! Why would you want to take away money from a school and all the other pupils?

Flatulence · 09/01/2025 13:22

I'd be working with the school and contacting the manufacturer of the board. It sounds like there might have been either a production or design fault with the board which means there's a hidden sharp bit where little fingers can reach.

Not great, and I can understand you being upset, but these things happen. It's a chance to remind your son to not poke or touch things without permission - assuming that's what happened rather than he got a cut just walking along.

As for suing the school - what would you be suing them for? It seems like they used a piece of equipment appropriately and with - we assume - reasonable care. Yes, work with the school to find out how equipment is checked and whether more could be done to spot faults or problems. But it really doesn't sound like they were in any way negligent.

As for the dance competition - I'd be surprised if his hand wasn't significantly better within the week. Wounds between the fingers do have a habit of reopening shortly after a cut but if his fingers are taped together then that can be avoided.

I'm sorry that your son has hurt his hand and I'm sorry that he might miss a competition. However, accidents happen - there isn't always someone to blame - and it's really only a very minor injury. I'm sure your boy is really sad, but these things can and do happen.

Carezzamia · 09/01/2025 13:23

if in the EU / UK, no, that sounds ridiculous to sue. In US seems to be the norm to sue for everything.

scotstars · 09/01/2025 13:26

What do you hope to achieve by suing apart from damaging you and your child's relationship with the school? I think you are probably feeling frustrated that you have spent alot of money and now your child is upset at missing their show. Sadly accidents happen your argument that you are out of pocket is false you don't pay for dance only on the condition of participation in the show

stayathomer · 09/01/2025 13:26

Why was he running his hands under the whiteboard? What weird behavior. No, he shouldn’t have got hurt, but in all honesty I’ve never risk assessed the white board for sharp edges nor seen a child touch it in this way.

Oh come on!! I think op is ridiculous for even thinking about suing but kids run their hands along everything!!!!!

ImWorkingLateCosImASingerrrr · 09/01/2025 13:29

Typical, the OP has flounced 😂

Anonym00se · 09/01/2025 13:30

My DS broke his collar bone in two places at school during a PE lesson on the yard, whereby the teacher was rolling a hula hoop along and the kids had to dive through it while it was rolling. There were no crash mats or anything.

I was fucking annoyed because it was negligent and asking for an injury, in my opinion. Plus the fact that they then rang me to pick him up because he was being disruptive and whinging about nothing. I must admit that I took some satisfaction informing the head the following day that it was actually two clean breaks.

It still didn’t even enter my head to sue them. Shit happens.

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