As families across California prepare for the back-to-school season, safety is often the last thing on anyone’s mind. But this busy time of year brings a significant spike in child-related accidents. With new routines, crowded campuses, unfamiliar school environments, and high-volume traffic near drop-off zones, students are more vulnerable than ever — especially in the first few weeks of school.
From school zone car crashes and school bus accidents to playground injuries, slip and falls on campus, and even incidents involving unsafe supervision or negligent staff, back-to-school accidents are unfortunately common. Many of these injuries are entirely preventable — caused by careless drivers, poorly maintained school property, or a lack of proper oversight by teachers, staff, or school districts.
When your child is hurt, it’s not just about the physical injuries. These accidents can cause long-term developmental setbacks, emotional trauma, missed school time, and serious financial strain on the family. As a parent, you deserve answers. More importantly, you deserve accountability from those responsible.
With decades of experience handling complex personal injury and school negligence cases across California, Attorney Tim D. Wright is a trusted advocate for families whose children have been injured due to negligence in school-related environments. Whether the incident happened on school grounds, during transportation, or because of unsafe campus conditions, we’re here to protect your child’s rights — and ensure your family receives the compensation and closure you deserve.
California schools — whether public or private — have a legal duty of care to supervise and protect students during:
This duty includes everything from maintaining safe premises to hiring qualified staff and enforcing discipline to prevent violence or bullying. When schools fail in this duty, and a child is injured as a result, they may be held liable for negligence.
Teachers, coaches, aides, and administrators must act as reasonably careful supervisors, especially when overseeing children in potentially hazardous situations (e.g., on the playground, during gym class, or in crowded hallways).
Negligence may occur if:
The California Education Code includes specific laws that reinforce student safety, including:
If your child was injured at a public school (district-run elementary, middle, or high school), your case falls under the California Government Tort Claims Act (CTCA).
This law sets special rules for filing claims against government agencies, including:
Failing to follow these steps can result in your case being dismissed, even if your child’s injury was severe. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you meet these critical deadlines and file your claim correctly.
Generally, minors in California have until age 20 (i.e., 2 years after turning 18) to file a personal injury lawsuit. However:
Even if the injury seems minor, always have your child evaluated by a medical professional. Some injuries — especially head trauma, joint injuries, or internal damage — may not show symptoms right away. Medical treatment not only ensures your child’s safety, but also creates a record of the injury, which is critical for your legal claim.
As soon as possible, gather and save any evidence related to the incident. This may include:
Insist that the school create an official incident report and request a copy for your records. This holds the school accountable and triggers their internal review process. If your child was injured on a school bus or during a field trip, report the incident to both the school and any third-party transportation providers involved.
For public schools, this may also start the clock for the California Tort Claims Act, which requires a claim to be filed within 6 months of the injury.
If a school district representative, insurance adjuster, or third-party claims handler contacts you, do not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. These parties are primarily interested in protecting themselves — not your child.
Even seemingly innocent comments can be used to minimize your claim. Let an experienced attorney handle all communications on your behalf.
School injury cases are complex — especially when public entities are involved. You need a lawyer who understands how to navigate the California Education Code, government claim deadlines, and insurance negotiations.
Tim D. Wright Law is here to help. We’ll investigate what went wrong, identify every liable party, and fight to get your child the medical care and compensation they deserve. Our team provides compassionate, personalized support — and you pay nothing unless we win.
Injury-related medical care can be extensive, especially if your child requires:
Children who are injured at school often experience both physical pain and significant emotional distress. From broken bones to head trauma or repeated bullying, we pursue damages that reflect the true impact on your child’s well-being, dignity, and comfort — not just what shows up on a hospital bill.
If your child suffered due to bullying, violence, or negligent supervision, the emotional toll can be lasting. Children may face anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or PTSD. Emotional distress damages compensate your family for the psychological and emotional consequences of the injury or incident.
Severe injuries can affect a child’s ability to develop physically or cognitively. In cases involving traumatic brain injuries, broken limbs, or spinal trauma, we pursue compensation for:
An injury can disrupt a child’s education. If your child misses school or requires:
— we’ll pursue reimbursement for any out-of-pocket education-related expenses your family incurs.
Beyond academics, school is where children grow socially and emotionally. An injury can prevent a child from:
When a child is injured, parents often miss work to provide care, attend medical appointments, or coordinate services. You may also face unexpected expenses for:
No child should have to suffer because of preventable negligence at school, on the bus, or in a school zone. Unfortunately, back-to-school season often exposes children to unnecessary risks — and families are left to deal with the emotional and financial aftermath.
Whether it was a playground injury, a slip and fall on school property, a school bus crash, or a lack of supervision during class or recess, you have the right to hold negligent parties accountable. With so many school injury cases involving public entities, it’s critical to act fast and follow California’s strict government claim rules.
At Tim D. Wright Law, we understand how devastating these situations can be. That’s why we treat every school injury case with compassion, urgency, and fierce legal advocacy. We’re committed to making sure your child’s voice is heard — and your family gets the compensation and closure you deserve.
📞 Personal Injury Office: (323) 379-9995
📍 Address: 1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302, Burbank, CA 91506
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
