Back-to-School Safety: Who’s Liable for Injuries on School Grounds?

As the school year kicks off, families across Texas are preparing to send their children back to class, some of them for the first time. But while the start of school brings plenty of joy, it also brings a renewed set of safety concerns. Children are suddenly back in busy drop-off zones, active playgrounds, and crowded hallways, while parents, teachers, and drivers are adjusting to new schedules and responsibilities.

Unfortunately, when safety precautions are overlooked, accidents and child injuries can happen. Accident prevention is important, and so is knowing who could be held liable after a school-related injury.

Back-to-School Safety

At the beginning of the school year, everyone, from school staff and students to parents to bus drivers, is adjusting to new routines. During the first few weeks of the school year, this unfamiliar shakeup can increase the risk of school-related accidents and student injuries, so it’s important for everyone to prioritize back-to-school safety.

A few of the most common accident risks during the first days of back-to-school time include:

• Congested drop-off and pick-up lines, where rushed drivers may not be paying full attention.
• Students walking or biking to school without a full awareness of traffic rules.
• Playgrounds filled with children, where worn-out equipment or inadequate supervision can lead to falls or injuries.
• Crowded hallways, staircases, and cafeterias, which can contribute to slips or trips.

Safety Tips for Parents

Prevention is always the best protection from injuries. While schools have an obligation to make their properties as safe as possible for students, parents can think of ways to promote student safety, too. If you have a child going to school or if you live in a school area, a bit of foresight could help prevent an accident or injury later.

Parents can help improve student safety by:

• Teaching children pedestrian and bus safety, especially the importance of looking both ways before crossing and staying in designated areas.
• Reminding children to always use crosswalks and follow school crossing guards.
• Encouraging kids to speak up if they notice broken playground equipment, unsafe conditions, or bullying.

Common School-Related Injuries

Some of the most common injuries children experience at school include:

• Playground accidents – Falls from swings, slides, or climbing structures due to unsafe equipment or lack of supervision.
• Sports and extracurricular injuries – From concussions to sprains, sometimes worsened by inadequate coaching or failure to follow safety protocols.
• Bus accidents – Injuries from unsafe driving, poorly maintained vehicles, or a lack of proper supervision at bus stops.
• Slip-and-falls inside schools – Wet floors, cluttered hallways, or poorly maintained stairwells can lead to injuries.
• Bullying or negligent supervision – Physical altercations or unsafe environments created when staff fail to intervene.

Student injuries can leave children not only physically injured but also emotionally shaken, and families often face unexpected medical bills and long recoveries.

Who May Be Liable for Injuries on School Grounds?

When a child is injured, one of the first questions parents ask is: “Who is responsible?”

Depending on the circumstances, liability may rest with:

• The school or district – If unsafe conditions, lack of supervision, or negligent policies contributed to the injury.
• Third-party contractors – Bus companies, maintenance crews, food service providers, or others whose negligence caused harm.
• Individual employees – Teachers, coaches, or staff members whose failure to act reasonably created unsafe conditions or directly injured the child.

Legal Considerations in Texas School Injury Claims

It’s important to note that cases involving schools can be complex, especially when public schools are involved. Texas law provides certain immunities to government entities, which means claims must follow specific procedures and may have limitations on what can be recovered from what parties.

In Texas, a school injury claim can become complicated because:

• Immunity: Public schools are considered government entities and can be protected by liability immunity. Lawsuits against them may be limited and subject to strict procedural rules. Private schools, on the other hand, often have no such heightened immunity to liability.
• Statutes of limitation: Notice requirements and deadlines are especially strict when a claim involves a school district or government entity. Parents may need to notify the district within a very short window of time—sometimes just weeks after the injury.

Protecting Children & Families After School Injuries

Back-to-school season should be filled with excitement and opportunity, not accidents and legal battles. Still, when negligence puts a child in harm’s way, families deserve answers and accountability. Taking legal action with a law firm like Hilliard Law in Texas could be the most direct path to a fair recovery.

At Hilliard Law, our child injury and school accident attorneys can help by:

• Investigating how and why the accident occurred.
• Identifying all potentially responsible parties, including schools, contractors, or staff.
• Navigating the legal complexities of sovereign immunity and governmental claims.
• Preparing a case to seek compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, therapy, and other losses.

For decades, our team of trial lawyers has been here to stand up for injured families across Texas. We would like to get the chance to see how we can help you, too. If your child has been injured on school grounds or during a school-related activity, reach out to us at your next opportunity to start discussing what legal options might be available.