Find a school injury lawyer in Tempe: districts, claim deadlines and daycare records
A public school is a government body. Arizona's 180-day claim rule names public schools, so a notice of claim goes to the person who accepts service for the district. For a child, the 180 days start when the child turns 18. The claim must state a specific amount and the facts behind it.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (23)
Which school district runs your child's school in Tempe?
Tempe has more than one. The district matters, because the claim goes to that district's office.
| District | Office | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Tempe Elementary Schools | Sanchez Administration Building, 3205 S. Rural Rd., Tempe 85282 | (480) 730-7100 |
| Tempe Union High School District | 500 W. Guadalupe, Tempe 85283 | 480-839-0292 |
| Kyrene School District | Ben Furlong Education Center, 8700 S. Kyrene Rd., Tempe 85284 | (480) 541-1000 |
Tempe Union runs Tempe High at 1730 S. Mill Avenue and McClintock High at 1830 E. Del Rio Drive. Charter schools and private schools follow other rules, so ask which kind of school it is.
How do you file a claim against a Tempe school district?
- Send the notice of claim within 180 days. The law names public schools and says to file with the person authorized to accept service for the school. Ask the district office who that is and keep proof of delivery.
- Include a specific settlement amount and the facts that support it.
- For a child, the 180 days start when the child turns 18. Do not wait, because video and witnesses fade.
- If the district stays silent for 60 days, treat the claim as denied.
- After a denial, you have one year to sue.
Small claims court is not an option against a school district, because a small claims suit cannot be brought against the state or its political subdivisions.
What do Tempe schools owe a student who is hurt?
Arizona says a school's duty covers risks that occur while the student is at school or otherwise under the school's control. That covers the playground, the gym and a field trip bus.
Ask the school for the child's records. A school has to produce them within 45 days of a request. If a teacher or staff member did something that should be reported, call the Department of Child Safety or the police.
One Tempe detail: the city's McClintock Outdoor Pool sits on the east side of McClintock High School. The city runs the pool, so the city, not the district, may be the one to claim against if the injury was at the pool.
What if the injury happened at a daycare in Tempe?
Arizona has separate daycare rules. A center must tell the child's parent and the Department of Health Services right away after an accident. A center needs at least $300,000 in coverage, and proof must be at the facility.
- Search any licensed child care program and read recent inspection reports in AZ Care Check.
- Centers are to be inspected at least once a year.
- Records stay on site for 12 months after the child leaves.
A daycare run by a private business follows the 2-year deadline. A public school's after-school program follows the 180-day rule.
Questions
How long do I have to sue a private school in Tempe?
Generally 2 years, and time does not run while a child is under 18.
Can I just go to the school board?
You can tell the board, but telling the board is not the same as filing the notice. Use the 180-day notice of claim.
What if the injury was a fight or abuse?
Report it to the Department of Child Safety or the police. Time limits can differ, so talk to a lawyer soon.
Does the school have to give me the incident record?
You can ask for the student's records, and the school has 45 days to produce them.
Child hurt at school or daycare in Tempe? See if you are owed money.
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- A.R.S. 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “Persons who have claims against a public entity, public school or a public employee shall file claims with the person or persons authorized to accept service for the public entity, public school or public employee as set forth in the Arizona rules of civil procedure within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues.”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “a minor or an insane or incompetent person may file a claim within one hundred eighty days after the disability ceases”
- A.R.S. 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “a specific amount for which the claim can be settled and the facts supporting that amount”
- Tempe Union High School District, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-09. “Tempe Union High School District Office 500 W. Guadalupe, Tempe, AZ 85283 Phone: 480-839-0292”
- Tempe Elementary Schools, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-09. “Sanchez Administration Building 3205 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282 Phone: (480) 730-7100”
- Kyrene School District, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-09. “Ben Furlong Education Center 8700 S. Kyrene Road, Tempe AZ 85284”
- Arizona DHS child care rules, checked 2026-11-09. “Notifies the enrolled child's parent and the Department immediately after the accident”
- Arizona Department of Health Services, checked 2026-11-09. “Using the search tool, you may find any licensed child care program in Arizona and read recent inspection reports.”
- Tempe Union High School District, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-09. “Tempe High School: Visit the school website 1730 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “is deemed denied sixty days after the filing of the claim”
- A.R.S. 12-821, checked 2026-11-09. “shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 22-503, checked 2026-11-08. “Actions against this state, its political subdivisions or an officer or employee of the state or its political subdivisions in his official capacity.”
- Arizona Supreme Court, Dinsmoor v. City of Phoenix (2021), checked 2026-11-09. “encompassing risks such as those that occur while the student is at school or otherwise under the school's control”
- eCFR, 34 CFR 99.10, checked 2026-11-09. “but not more than 45 days after it has received the request”
- Arizona Department of Health Services, checked 2026-11-09. “Department of Child Safety (DCS) or local law enforcement”
- City of Tempe, Pools and Splash Play, checked 2026-11-09. “This outdoor pool is located on the east side of McClintock High School.”
- City of Tempe, Pools, checked 2026-11-09. “The City of Tempe is home to four public pools, including the indoor wave pool at Kiwanis Recreation Center and the outdoor pools at Escalante Multi-Generational Center, Clark Park Community Center and McClintock High School.”
- Arizona DHS child care rules, R9-5-308, checked 2026-11-09. “General facility liability insurance of at least $300,000”
- Arizona DHS child care rules, checked 2026-11-09. “documentation of the liability insurance coverage is available for review on the facility premises”
- Arizona Department of Health Services, checked 2026-11-09. “Child care centers and public school child care programs are to be inspected at least once a year.”
- Arizona DHS child care rules, checked 2026-11-09. “on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the child's disenrollment”
- A.R.S. 12-542, checked 2026-11-09. “there shall be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues”
- A.R.S. 12-502, checked 2026-11-09. “the period of such disability shall not be deemed a portion of the period limited for commencement of the action”