Child hurt at school or daycare in Dallas: what Dallas ISD covers and what it does not

Texas law mostly shields school districts. For school districts, the Tort Claims Act applies only to motor vehicles. Dallas ISD's own risk page says the district has tort immunity, with an exception for UIL sports. A state-licensed daycare is different: it must carry insurance. Any claim against a government needs written notice within six months.

Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (32)

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Map of Dallas showing Dallas ISD's central office on North Central Expressway and school campuses across the city
Dallas ISD says it has tort immunity for most injuries. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Can you sue Dallas ISD if your child is hurt at school?

Rarely. Dallas ISD serves nearly 140,000 students. Its Risk Management page says the district has tort immunity and is not liable for injuries to students on district property. State law backs that up. The Tort Claims Act applies to a school district only for motor vehicles, and liability can arise from the operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle.

Where the Act does apply to a local government, the cap is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence.

What does cover a hurt student in Dallas ISD?

SituationWhat may payWhere to go
School bus or district vehicle crashThe Tort Claims Act can apply to motor vehicles.Dallas ISD Risk Management, 9400 N. Central Expressway, Box 91, 972-925-4050. It has an online form and says it will contact you within 24 hours or the next business day.
UIL sportsDallas ISD athletic insurance.Claim line 214-775-8904.
Field tripField trip insurance for minor medical costs, secondary to your own coverage.Risk Management, 972-925-4084.
Fall, playground or classroom injuryDallas ISD says it has tort immunity.Your own health insurance. Then ask a lawyer whether an exception fits.
Charter schoolCharter schools are immune to the same extent as districts.Check which kind of school it is.

How fast must you act when a Dallas school child is hurt?

Within six months for a notice to any government. That notice clock does not stop for a child. Formal notice may be excused if the government actually knew about the injury, but do not count on that. Send written notice and keep proof.

The lawsuit deadline is longer. Generally 2 years, and the clock waits until a child turns 18.

Can you sue a Dallas teacher or school employee?

Usually not. Professional employees of a school are generally not personally liable. The exception covers excessive force or negligence that causes bodily injury. Texas also requires written notice 90 days before suing a professional employee. Wait for advice before you send anything.

What if your child was hurt at a Dallas daycare?

A private daycare is not a school district, so the district immunity rule does not protect it. Texas requires $100,000 in insurance per occurrence, and parents get written notice when coverage is missing.

  • Parents must be told right after an injury that needs professional treatment.
  • Texas inspects daycares without warning at least once a year.
  • Inspection reports are online for every operation.
  • You can report an incident through the state child care site.

If you think a child was abused, call the Texas hotline at 1-800-252-5400, which is open 24 hours.

What should you do first after your child is hurt at school?

  1. Get care. Children's Medical Center Dallas sees more than 300,000 children a year.
  2. Ask the principal or director for a written incident report.
  3. Request school records. A school must give access within 45 days.
  4. If it was a school bus or district vehicle, use the Dallas ISD form.
  5. Send written notice within six months.
  6. For an emergency on campus, Dallas ISD Police dispatch is (214) 932-5627.

Questions

Does Dallas ISD pay my child's medical bills?

Only in set cases. The district says it is not liable for student injuries on district property, with an exception for UIL sports. It also has field trip insurance.

How long do I have to sue for my child?

Generally 2 years, and the time does not count while the child is under 18.

What about a crash with a Dallas ISD bus?

Contact Risk Management. Dallas ISD's bus crash sheet tells private drivers to call 24 hours after the accident.

Can my child's own behavior reduce a claim?

Yes. Texas bars recovery above 50 percent fault.

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Sources (32)

  1. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 101.051, checked 2026-11-09. “Except as to motor vehicles, this chapter does not apply to a school district or to a junior college district.”
  2. Dallas ISD Risk Management Services, FAQ, checked 2026-11-09. “No, the district has Tort Immunity, therefore we are not liable for injuries to parents, visitors or students while on district property.”
  3. Dallas ISD Risk Management Services, FAQ, checked 2026-11-09. “The only exception is for district students participating in UIL sports.”
  4. Texas Human Resources Code 42.049, checked 2026-11-09. “maintain liability insurance coverage in the amount of $100,000 for each occurrence of negligence”
  5. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred”
  6. Martinez v. Val Verde County Hospital District (Tex. 2004), checked 2026-11-09. “The lower courts held that it is not,[2] and we agree.”
  7. Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care, checked 2026-11-09. “Reports on every inspection are available online so parents can make informed child care decisions.”
  8. Texas Education Code 22.0511, checked 2026-11-09. “A professional employee of a school district is not personally liable for any act that is incident to or within the scope of the duties”
  9. Texas Education Code 22.0511, checked 2026-11-09. “except in circumstances in which a professional employee uses excessive force in the discipline of students or negligence resulting in bodily injury to students”
  10. Dallas ISD, General Information, checked 2026-11-09. “serve a diverse population of nearly 140,000 students”
  11. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 101.021, checked 2026-11-09. “arises from the operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle or motor-driven equipment”
  12. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 101.023, checked 2026-11-09. “liability of a unit of local government under this chapter is limited to money damages in a maximum amount of $100,000 for each person and $300,000 for each single occurrence for bodily injury or death”
  13. Dallas ISD, Risk Management Services, checked 2026-11-09. “Risk Management Services 9400 N. Central Expressway, Box 91 Dallas, Texas 75231 Phone: (972) 925-4050”
  14. Dallas ISD, Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Intake Form, checked 2026-11-09. “a representative from Risk Management Services will contact you within 24 hours or the next business day”
  15. Dallas ISD Risk Management Services, FAQ, checked 2026-11-09. “Yes, the district has Athletic Insurance.”
  16. Dallas ISD Risk Management Services, FAQ, checked 2026-11-09. “The insurance provides minor medical coverage and is secondary to any other insurance available to the student.”
  17. Texas Education Code 12.1056, checked 2026-11-09. “is immune from liability and suit to the same extent as a school district”
  18. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 101.101, checked 2026-11-09. “do not apply if the governmental unit has actual notice”
  19. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues”
  20. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001, checked 2026-11-08. “the time of the disability is not included in a limitations period”
  21. Texas Education Code 22.0513, checked 2026-11-09. “Not later than the 90th day before the date a person files a suit against a professional employee of a school district”
  22. Texas Human Resources Code 42.049, checked 2026-11-09. “a written notice that the liability coverage is not provided”
  23. Texas HHSC, Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers, 746.307, checked 2026-11-09. “Is injured and the injury requires medical treatment by a health-care professional or hospitalization”
  24. Texas Health and Human Services, checked 2026-11-09. “CCR conducts unannounced inspections at licensed operations at least once per year”
  25. Texas Health and Human Services, Search Texas Child Care, checked 2026-11-09. “Report an incident for a Child Day Care provider.”
  26. Texas HHSC, Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers, checked 2026-11-09. “Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1-800-252-5400”
  27. UT Southwestern, Pediatric Residency Education Program, checked 2026-11-09. “treats more than 300,000 children annually”
  28. eCFR, 34 CFR 99.10, checked 2026-11-09. “but not more than 45 days after it has received the request”
  29. Dallas ISD, Police Department, checked 2026-11-09. “Emergency 9-1-1 Police Dispatch (214) 932-5627”
  30. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.001, checked 2026-11-09. “the time of the disability is not included in a limitations period”
  31. Dallas ISD, Been in an Accident with a School Bus, checked 2026-11-09. “Contact the office of Risk Management 24 hours after the accident.”
  32. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001, checked 2026-11-08. “a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent”

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