Lack of Supervision

Author: Attorney Dennis Schaefer

Lack of proper supervision in school or after school programs is a serious issue. Many times there are far too many students or attendees to safely monitor with the number or teachers or monitors available. Other times the activities that are permitted are inherently dangerous, regardless of the number of adult supervisors. It is a difficult balance between numbers of attendees, numbers of supervisors and activities.

Our client is a ten year old girl who was in after care from her typical school day. She was indoors in a room with many other children. The children were playing an active game of “sharks and minnows”, a version of tag. There was one adult assigned to supervise the activity, who was paying partial attention, while the game was being played. There were between 15 and 20 students playing the game. The game was clearly one which belonged outside, not being played indoors. During the game our client was tripped by another player and she fractured her wrist and dislocated her elbow.

The game being played was inappropriate for an indoor activity. The total lack of appropriate supervision was clear negligence. The combination of the event being played and the lack of supervision was the direct cause of the serious injuries sustained by our client.

There are many examples of the kind of neglect that occur to our children every day. This neglect is not limited to children but to anyone who is being supervised. If an injury happens to you or anyone you know due to lack of supervision or the playing of a potentially dangerous activity for the surroundings call Dell and Schaefer. We are available to consult with you anytime.