Start of School Brings Potential for Serious Injuries in Illinois

 Posted on August 23, 2025 in Personal Injury

The beginning of a new school year brings fresh routines, full classrooms, and busy buses on the roads throughout Grundy County. While most families expect their children to be safe when they head off to school, serious accidents and injuries do sometimes occur. These are not always minor scrapes from the playground. In serious cases, there are catastrophic incidents that can change a child’s life and leave families facing overwhelming medical bills and uncertainty about the future. And in the worst cases, children can lose their lives.

When parents ask whether they have legal options after a child suffers a severe school-related injury, the answer is often yes. Illinois law allows families to pursue claims against schools, districts, or third parties if negligence contributed to the harm. As of August 2025, courts continue to apply both state negligence law and special provisions under the Illinois Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act when evaluating school-related injury claims.

If your child was seriously hurt at school, on the way to school, or during a school-related activity, talk to a Morris, IL personal injury lawyer. We can help you decide whether you have reasonable grounds to take action and pursue justice on your child’s behalf.

What Are the Most Serious School-Related Injuries?

Some of the most devastating incidents that lead to personal injury claims in Illinois schools involve:

• School bus crashes: Collisions involving school buses and passenger vehicles are among the most serious accidents because of the number of children involved. For example, in a recent school bus accident in Texas, 12 children were seriously injured in just one crash. If a bus driver, another driver, or even a defective vehicle part caused the crash, injured families may have grounds to seek compensation.

• Food poisoning outbreaks: When cafeterias fail to properly store or prepare food, children can suffer severe foodborne illnesses, sometimes requiring hospitalization. A pattern of contamination could point to systemic negligence.

• Unsafe facilities: Falling ceiling structures, collapsing bleachers, broken handrails, or unsecured heavy equipment can all cause catastrophic injuries. Schools have a duty to maintain safe premises for students and visitors.

Each of these scenarios can lead to long-term medical needs, permanent disability, or even wrongful death. These are the types of cases that require immediate attention and legal action.

How Does Illinois Law Apply to School Injury Cases?

Illinois recognizes that schools and school employees have a duty of care toward children in their custody. Under 740 ILCS 130/2, property owners, including schools, must take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable harm. Courts may hold schools accountable if there is evidence of willful and wanton misconduct — that is, reckless disregard for safety.

For example, if a school district knew about faulty bus brakes but failed to repair them, or ignored repeated warnings about unsanitary food storage, these could rise to the level of willful and wanton misconduct.

What Steps Should Families Take After a Serious School Injury?

Parents facing such an overwhelming situation should get their child the medical care they need right away. This includes recommended follow-up care. In the process of seeking treatment, document not only the medical visits and payments, but also the circumstances of the accident with photos, witness names, and reports from school officials.

Next, parents should consult an attorney experienced in handling severe injury cases involving schools and municipalities. A lawyer can investigate liability, determine whether the school or another party can be sued despite immunity laws, and pursue the compensation needed for medical costs, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Contact a Morris, IL School Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

If your child has suffered a serious injury at school, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Contact a Grundy County, IL personal injury attorney at Carlson Law Group, P.C. by calling 815-710-3700 today. Our attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay unless we recover compensation for your family.