Parents win $7.1 million lawsuit against Los Angeles school after child injury
- In 2017, a student at Marvin Avenue Elementary School suffered severe injuries while playing soccer on a damaged playground.
- School officials delayed medical assessment and aid for nearly two hours, worsening the child's condition.
- The jury awarded a $7.1 million verdict against the LAUSD as a result of their negligence, urging the district to improve safety protocols.
In 2017, an incident occurred at Marvin Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles when a student was injured while playing on the school's playground. The young girl fell and hit her head on the cracked asphalt while playing soccer. After the fall, there was a significant delay in the school's response, as officials waited nearly two hours to call for medical assistance, during which the girl's condition deteriorated considerably. When paramedics finally arrived, she was transported to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where doctors identified a brain bleed that necessitated immediate surgical intervention. The legal case against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) was filed by PARRIS Law Firm, highlighting the negligence of school officials in their duty to care for the students. As part of the proceedings, the firm argued that the responsible individuals not only failed to maintain a safe environment but also neglected to provide timely medical assistance to the injured child. As a result of LAUSD's oversight, the plaintiff now lives with cognitive disorders that will impact her life permanently. During the trial, testimonies and evidence were presented, illustrating the lapses in the school's safety protocols. The jury ultimately sided with the plaintiff, recognizing that the prolonged inaction by school staff compounded the injuries sustained by the young student. Following the verdict, attorneys from PARRIS Law Firm expressed hope that this case would prompt LAUSD to reassess its emergency response procedures to ensure that no other child would suffer in a similar manner in the future. The outcome of this trial serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities that schools hold in safeguarding the well-being of their students. The significant financial verdict also raises awareness regarding the potential consequences schools face for failing to uphold their duty of care, especially in cases involving minor children under their supervision.