Hyattsville, MD Educational Abuse Attorney

Lawyer Helping Families in Hyattsville, Maryland Address Harm to Children at Schools

Going to school is an important part of life for children. In addition to academic growth, schools provide children with opportunities for social, emotional, and behavioral development. With so much time spent at school, it is important to ensure that children are kept safe in these environments. Unfortunately, there are some situations where schools may fail to protect children from harm. In some of the worst cases, teachers or school officials may engage in abusive behavior.

The damage that children may suffer when they experience educational abuse can be profound and long-lasting. Misconduct or neglect by school personnel may include emotional mistreatment, excessive discipline, physical harm, or the failure to protect a child from foreseeable danger. In situations where children have suffered abuse at school, families will need to understand what steps they can take to address this issue.

At Kisner Law, our personal injury attorney works with families to hold schools and their employees responsible for the harm children have suffered due to abuse. He has provided representation in high-profile cases, including a situation where a teacher allegedly tied two autistic children to chairs with bungee cords. He can take legal action against school systems that fail to uphold their responsibility to protect children's safety and well-being. By taking steps to hold schools and educators accountable, he fights to ensure that children will be protected from harm in the future.

Forms of Educational Abuse That May Occur in Maryland Schools

Educational abuse may include a wide range of actions by teachers, administrators, or other school employees. Examples include:

• Emotional Abuse: Persistent humiliation, ridicule, or intimidation by a teacher or staff member can significantly impact a child's self-esteem and mental health. This may include singling a student out in front of peers, making degrading comments, or using fear as a means of control.
• Physical Abuse: Any intentional use of physical force that causes injury or trauma, such as hitting, pushing, or the use of restraints, is unlawful and potentially criminal. These forms of abuse may occur under the guise of discipline or classroom management.
• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, threatening, or using degrading language is not appropriate behavior for school staff. Repeated verbal abuse can create a hostile learning environment and contribute to anxiety or depression for children.
• Negligent Supervision: Failing to properly supervise children during class, recess, or school activities can lead to accidents, bullying, or exposure to dangerous situations. Schools have a duty to provide adequate supervision to protect children from foreseeable harm.
• Failure to Report or Address Abuse: Teachers and administrators are mandated reporters under Maryland law. If a child states that abuse has occurred or shows signs of mistreatment, staff members are legally obligated to take the appropriate steps to protect the child. Failing to act can compound the harm and make schools liable for negligence.
• Discriminatory Practices: Unequal treatment based on race, disability, gender, or other protected statuses can have long-term educational and psychological effects. Discrimination may involve inappropriate discipline, exclusion from activities or programs, or a refusal to provide necessary accommodations.

How Children May Be Affected by Educational Abuse

The impact of educational abuse may not always be immediately visible, but the harm suffered by children in these situations can be far-reaching. Children who have been subjected to mistreatment in schools may experience:

• Anxiety or depression
• Difficulty trusting authority figures
• Declining academic performance
• Increased absenteeism
• Behavioral changes
• Physical injuries
• Long-term trauma or PTSD

These consequences can interfere with a child's overall development while also limiting their future educational opportunities. With prompt legal intervention, a family can make sure the harm done to their child will be addressed correctly, but they can also promote accountability and reform within school systems.

Legal Options for Families in Situations Involving Educational Abuse

When a child suffers harm at the hands of a teacher, school administrator, or anyone else employed by a school district, several legal options may be available:

• Filing a Complaint With the School District or State Board of Education: This can prompt an internal investigation and may result in administrative action, including discipline or termination of the offending staff member.
• Pursuing Civil Lawsuits: A family may take legal action against the school or district to address the harm a child has suffered due to physical injuries, negligence, civil rights violations, or intentional infliction of emotional distress. A family may receive financial compensation to address financial and personal losses that have occurred due to abuse.
• Seeking Protective Orders or Criminal Charges: In situations where a child has suffered physical or sexual abuse, a family may report the incident to law enforcement to determine whether criminal charges may be filed against the perpetrator. To ensure that a child will be protected against future abuse, a protective order may be issued that will restrict contact with the alleged abuser.
• Advocating for Policy Changes: Legal action may push school systems to revise their policies, improve training for staff, and strengthen protections for students.

Each situation is unique, and the right legal strategy will depend on the facts of the case, the severity of the harm, and the desired outcome. Our educational abuse attorney can help families evaluate these factors and decide on the most effective course of action.

Contact Our Hyattsville Educational Abuse Attorney

If your child has been mistreated by a teacher or school employee, you can take steps to address the situation with the help of the attorney at Kisner Law. He will work with you to hold a school and its employees accountable, making sure your child and other students will be protected in the future. To learn more about your legal options, contact our Hyattsville, MD school abuse lawyer at 240-459-0097 and set up a free consultation.