Child hurt at school in Mesa: claim deadlines and when to find a school injury lawyer

Which kind of school was your child at in Mesa?

The answer sets your deadline. Mesa has district schools, charter schools, private and parochial schools. Mesa Public Schools is the city's largest employer on the city's list, with 7,829 workers, but it is not the only district serving Mesa families.

We could not find a court decision that settles the 180-day rule for every Arizona charter school, so do not rely on the longer time without advice.

When is a Mesa school responsible for my child's injury?

Not every playground fall is someone's fault. Arizona's Supreme Court says the school's duty covers risks that occur while a student is at school or otherwise under the school's control. That is the place to begin. Ask what staff knew, what they could have done and whether a rule was followed.

• No adult watching a known danger, such as a broken gate or equipment.
• A coach who ignored signs of a head injury and kept a player in the game.
• Bullying that staff had been told about, followed by an assault.
• A bus driver's error on a route.

Your child's share of fault can reduce an award, and a jury may weigh the part played by every person who contributed. Punitive damages are not available against public entities.

If a staff member committed a crime against your child, tell police or the Department of Child Safety first. Arizona has a special rule on public entity liability when the victim of a sexual offense is a minor. A lawyer can explain how it applies, and Mesa Police Victim Services at 480-644-4075 can help you now.

How do I file a claim against Mesa Public Schools?

1. Get care and keep every note. Banner Children's at Desert in Mesa has pediatric neurosurgeons and neurologists, and Phoenix Children's is the state's listed Level I pediatric trauma center.
2. Call Risk Management at 480-472-7205 or email [email protected] and ask for the incident report.
3. Ask in writing who accepts legal notices. State law says the claim goes to the person authorized to accept service. We could not find a published Mesa Public Schools claim form or a named person.
4. Send your notice to the right person. The district office is at 549 N Stapley Drive, and the governing board's office is at 63 East Main Street #101.
5. State a specific amount and the facts that support it.
6. Keep proof of delivery. A late claim is barred.

A parent's own costs, such as medical bills, may follow a different clock than the child's claim. Do not assume that the extra time for minors covers the parent. Ask about this early.

What if my child was hurt on a Mesa school bus?

Call the dispatch office for your route. Mesa Public Schools lists Broadway at (480) 472-6100, Fremont at (480) 472-8950 and Stapley at (480) 472-0160. Ask them to save the bus video and write down the bus number.

Mesa Police handles crashes on city streets. The report is available through BuyCrash with the DR number. If another driver caused the crash, that driver's insurer may owe your child too, and that part of the claim has no 180-day notice.

What if my child was hurt at a daycare in Mesa?

Arizona requires a daycare to tell the parent and the state health department immediately after an accident. If nobody called you, write that down.

Look up the program on AZ Care Check, where you can read recent inspection reports. Child care centers are inspected at least once a year. A pattern of write-ups for supervision can matter a great deal.

Questions