5 Things to know before Suing a College or University

Things to know before Suing a College or University!

While on campus, you or a loved one may be away from home, but you still want to be safe. You can even be a guest traveling for business or to attend a gathering. Well, universities are subject to premises liability law, much like the majority of other institutions. Most schools are expected to have rules and procedures in place to protect everyone on the premises.

Unfortunately, some people might behave carelessly, which could result in problems like slip and fall incidents that could result in fatalities or severe physical injuries! So, you might be wondering if, in the event that something goes wrong, you can file a lawsuit against the organization you put your trust in. Let’s go over your rights in this situation in greater detail.

Is Suing a College or University possible?

This will initially rely on the type of college or university. You can file a campus safety case if the university is private since educational institutions are essentially for-profit corporations. However, if the institution is a charitable organization exempt from legal obligation, the requirements can be a little different. However, if the private college or university is not exempt from local regulations, a victim may bring a negligence claim in the event of criminal events.

Suing a College or University Overview

On the other hand, since public universities are a type of government organization, suing them would not be as straightforward. Lawsuits brought against public and semi-public entities may be outlawed by the state legislature. Nevertheless, if the institution is subject to the jurisdiction of the state where the school is authorized, you may sue it.

Suing a College or University is Necessitated in what Cases?

If your case regarding campus safety is successful, you may be entitled to a variety of relief. With a successful campus safety case, you can anticipate to receive the following kinds of monetary damages:

1. Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are challenging to collect since juries and courts only award them in the most severe situations. If it is evident that the institution knows the campus is unsafe or has been sued repeatedly over safety issues but still does nothing to keep the campus and students safe, the court may decide to award punitive damages to the school.

2. Compensation

Compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earnings, wrongful death, emotional distress, etc. are all examples of compensatory damages. When the plaintiff wins the case, they are entitled to both economic and non-economic compensatory damages.

3. Violent Behavior

Sexual harassment and sexual misbehavior are examples of sex-based discrimination. This includes sexual assault, molestation, or rape committed by a teacher or other staff member against a pupil. In some circumstances, you could also be entitled to file a lawsuit against the school for sexual assault committed by a student against your child.

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4. Non-Provision of FAPE

Every child with a disability is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). According to the IDEA, every disabled child has the right to a FAPE that prioritizes special education and related services that are created to meet their individual requirements and prepare them for higher education, employment, and independent living. You might be eligible to file a lawsuit against a school if it fails to give your child a FAPE or otherwise violates the IDEA.

5. Other Remedies:

The institution can also be required by the court to implement new security measures by the institution. The university may be compelled to promote safety training for faculty, staff, and students, develop a safety education program, and prosecute offenders. Other cases for suing a college or university might include:

• Bullying
• Sexual harassment
• Discrimination

How can you Prove the College or University’s Negligence?

You must prove that the educational institution did not do its share to keep the campus and students safe in order to prevail in a negligence lawsuit against it. To demonstrate this, you might make a premises liability claim. You could file a negligence claim against the institution if the harm or injury was caused by their negligence, such as if a college or university ignored safety concerns. You must show that the school was made aware of a security issue that it chose to ignore.

• To prove that the school was informed, use witnesses, earlier occurrences, or written correspondence. You could also send in pictures and videos that highlight the dangerous campus circumstances, such as poor lighting or broken fencing.
• Look over the contract the institution gave to demonstrate their responsibility. You can then demonstrate that the institution’s duty of care was broken.

Do you need to hire a Lawyer before Suing a College or University?

Neglecting campus safety raises the risk of trip and fall incidents. As a result, the aggrieved parties may bring negligence claims. More precisely, you should get legal counsel from a personal injury attorney to bring a claim if you are hurt on campus. The family of the victim should seek assistance from a wrongful death attorney to obtain justice in the event that the accident results in fatality or death.

Always remember that your greatest chance of defending your rights and obtaining the money you are entitled to is to consult a lawyer, regardless of the circumstances. All the laws in your state will be known to an expert attorney in your area. They can clarify your rights and assist you in determining the viability of your claim. If the institution offers to resolve the dispute out of court, an attorney can negotiate for fair compensation and advise you on your options for litigation.

FAQs on Suing a College or University

These are the answers to some of the most asked questions on suing a college or university:

Conclusion

Learning institutions have a duty to keep everyone on their campuses safe and care for them, including faculty, staff, and students. Depending on the state, they may be responsible for a different level of care. You have every right to hold the institution liable for negligence if a preventable accident happens as a result of their negligence. Consult a renowned attorney to assist in defending your rights.

This will be the end of our article on suing a college or university, we hope it’s resourceful.

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