School Bullying Lawsuit Attorneys

Get Help With a School Bullying Lawsuit

The definition of bullying varies from state to state, but the term generally refers to physical, mental or verbal acts by a student to intimidate, harass or otherwise harm another student. It’s an all-too-common phenomenon, and it can have devastating consequences. But can you sue a school for bullying? The answer is yes: You absolutely can. At times, parents of bullied children find themselves needing to pursue bullying lawsuits to hold parents and school districts liable for severe injuries, suicide attempts or even the death of their child. If your family is in this unfortunate situation, the compassionate bullying and harassment lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Effects of School Bullying: One Girl’s Story

The crushing effects of bullying at school can be seen in the story of Mallory Grossman, a 12-year-old New Jersey girl who died by suicide in 2017. Mallory was tormented by classmates for months, including harassment through texts and social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. Her tormentors repeatedly bombarded her cell phone with denigrating comments, such as telling her she was a loser with no friends. Her bullies even asked, “Why don’t you kill yourself?” Her parents said that they repeatedly reported the bullying to school officials, but the parents did not see adequate steps taken to stop the abuse. Mallory’s mom and dad even pleaded with the parents of one of the tormentors, who seemed to dismiss their concerns. The day after the meeting between the parents, Mallory took her own life, proving that her parents’ fears were justified. After the incident, the parents filed suit against the school district and the parents of the harassing students. Tragic stories like these have become far too common as the bullying and cyberbullying crisis has played out among schoolchildren and teens across the U.S. But you can take action to protect your child with the help of a school bullying attorney.

Parents Reach $9.1M Settlement in Bullying Suicide Lawsuit Against the New Jersey School District

A school district in Morris County is set to pay a record $9.1 million to parents of a 12-year-old student who tragically committed suicide in 2017. The tragedy led to a nationwide discussion on bullying and spurred anti-bullying legislation in New Jersey.

The settlement agreement, unveiled on Wednesday, constitutes the largest-ever financial compensation in a bullying case in the state.

The victim, a sixth grader, ended her life on June 14, 2017, following continuous torment from her peers, according to her parents. Later in 2017, the parents filed a lawsuit against their child’s school district, and the school’s administration, accusing them of not adequately protecting their daughter.

Despite numerous appeals to school officials, the bullying continued unabated, the victim’s stated.

The child’s mother, expressing relief on Wednesday, said, her and her husband were content with the settlement, were relieved to close this chapter and proceed, committed to raising awareness about the growing epidemic that threatens children’s future.

This tragic loss ignited a national discussion on bullying, which consequently led to the 2022 enactment of Mallory’s Law in New Jersey. This law introduced fresh guidelines for schools in the state, mandating the reporting and action on bullying incidents.

This resolution represents yet another significant step towards addressing this avoidable tragedy, and it is hoped that it conveys a powerful message to all schools across the country. It emphasizes the importance of safeguarding our children from the distressing consequences of school bullying.

During the lawsuit, the Defendant asserted its commitment to student protection. It dismissed accusations of negligence in preventing the harassment, labeling the claims as “utterly false.” The Superintendent at the time of the tragedy stepped down from his post on July 1, 2018.

The lawsuit filed by the victim’s family painted a grim picture of the torment she experienced for several months at the hands of her middle-school peers. According to the suit, one classmate sent her a picture of herself walking alone, captioned “you have no friends.” Another classmate reportedly asked her in front of others “when are you going to kill yourself?” The family alleged that the barrage of texts and online posts eventually led to the victim being socially isolated from her classmates.

The victim’s mother stated that she had witnessed her daughter’s academic performance decline while their pleas to school authorities for assistance were repeatedly dismissed. She also recalled reaching out to the parent of one of the tormentors, only to be dismissed and told that the harassment was simply playful banter and not a cause for concern.

One expert suggested that school administrators who do not sufficiently address these issues should face stricter repercussions. Schools also need to establish more robust peer mentorship programs and take a more active approach to manage social and emotional issues among students.

Legal Basis for School Bullying Claims

While nothing can undo all of the damage done by bullying, seeking compensation through legal action can hold school districts accountable for failing to put a stop to it. Premises liability law provides a legal basis for these claims because property owners have a legal duty to keep non-trespassers safe on the premises. Because children are the primary users of school premises, school districts have a heightened duty of care to create a safe environment. When they fail to carry out this duty, seeking an attorney for school bullying claims can help you bring them to justice. The experienced school bullying and personal injury attorneys at our law firm represent victims of all forms of bullying, whether it’s physical, verbal or social, and we provide free case evaluations to help you understand your legal rights and decide on your next steps. It’s also worthwhile to note that one of the best ways to stop bullying is to bring a legal action that lets all those involved know that their actions or failures to act come with a price. A bullying action can also allow a court to intercede and order the bullying to stop and suitable protection be given to the victim.

Forms of Harassment and Bullying Against Schoolchildren

While bullying is not a new practice, harassing acts that might have been tolerated in prior times are no longer acceptable. Bullying often occurs when a child is harassed and educators or parents fail to come to the victim’s aid or to take control and prevent future abuse or mistreatment. Although a single perpetrator might be responsible for the offending behavior, the harsh, repetitive type of bullying carried out by multiple tormentors frequently leads to serious consequences that can include suicide.

Bullying

Although there is no legal definition of bullying under federal law, mental health professionals typically define the act as “physical or verbal abuse repeated over time and involving a power imbalance.” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has settled on a similar definition of school bullying: “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance” that is repetitive or poses the possibility of repetition. Bullying activity does not have to occur during school hours or on school premises, but these details can affect the legal rights of the victim. An experienced school bullying attorney can accurately evaluate the situation to determine the best course of action.

Cyberbullying

The reach and pervasive nature of bullies have changed with the evolution of cyberbullying. Advances in electronic communications have given rise to the use of the Internet or cell phones to send or post harmful content. Now, a perpetrator can inflict abuse 24/7 through email, text messaging, and an array of social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Tumblr, and YouTube. The ability to incessantly torment a victim through multiple forums makes social media a particularly damaging weapon in a bully’s hands. Other aspects of cyberbullying also make this form of harassment particularly insidious. The derogatory comments, images or other content posted online can be permanent or at least extremely difficult to remove. Social media sites also allow a coalition of bullies to work together, exponentially increasing the harm inflicted.

Hazing

Although hazing often is associated with fraternities and sororities on college campuses, this form of harassing behavior also occurs among members of sports teams and clubs for middle-school and high-school students. Hazing activities often are dismissed as harmless pranks, but these rituals can cause significant harm. When the wrongful acts occur as part of school-sanctioned activities or on school grounds, the school district might be liable, if school officials knew or should have known of the hazing and failed to take appropriate measures.

Teasing

Teasing refers to conduct or comments designed to make fun of or provoke the target. While teasing can become bullying, several factors differentiate bullying from day-to-day teasing. Teasing can rise to the level of bullying behavior if it includes these factors:

• Aggressive tone
• Repetition of actions aimed at threatening or hurting the victim
• Refusal to stop when the victim gets upset

When teasing or conflict between schoolchildren or teenagers meets these criteria, the conduct might constitute bullying.

Sovereign Immunity and Lawsuits Against School Districts

If parents want to file a lawsuit against a school district for failing to ensure a safe learning environment for their child, they must often overcome obstacles posed by the sovereign immunity of government entities. “Sovereign immunity” refers to the common-law right of government entities to be shielded from lawsuits prompted by the negligence of their employees. Federal and state laws will often waive this right to immunity, but a plaintiff seeking damages for personal injury or wrongful death may need to comply with shorter filing deadlines and other special requirements. A good school bullying attorney should be able to understand and explain the rules governing sovereign immunity in your case and how to go about taking legal action. Under most of these laws, often referred to as tort claims acts, formal written notice must be served on the public entity, usually the school district, prior to filing a lawsuit. The time limit will vary depending on the law of the particular jurisdiction, but the window to provide notice can be as short as three months. The notice must contain specific information and might need to be served on a specific party to be effective, so it’s important to seek advice from a skilled attorney if you want to preserve your right to a legal claim. Another reason to seek prompt legal advice is that calculation of this deadline can be complicated depending on the situation. Failure to comply with this timing requirement will permanently waive your right to pursue a claim against the government in most situations.

How to Sue a School: What Must Be Proven to Pursue a Claim Against a School District in a Bullying Lawsuit?

Once you have the answer to “Can you sue a school for bullying?” the next question becomes how to pursue justice. The requirements for success in pursuing a lawsuit will depend on the impact on the victim, the nature of the bullying conduct, the identity of the victim, and the party against whom the lawsuit is filed.

Federal and State Discrimination and Harassment Laws

While bullying lawsuits can be brought under federal and state discrimination and sexual harassment laws, the right to pursue a legal claim under these statutes is determined by whether the victim is a member of a protected class. Examples of federal laws that might be used to pursue damages for bullying include:

• Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 if the bullying is based on the plaintiff’s disability
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which bar discrimination based on sex
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, banning discrimination on the basis of color, national origin or race
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability

When a student is subject to a hostile environment because of bullying, the school district might be in violation of these civil rights statutes if the school ignores the behavior or fails to take adequate action to stop the harassment. Although none of these statutes specifically address harassment based on sexual orientation, this type of bullying liability case might be pursued if the wrongful conduct is based on the student’s non-compliance with traditional gender stereotypes. Bullying victims also can sometimes pursue a claim under the Civil Rights Act of 1871 for violation of their right to substantive due process or under the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. The U.S. Constitution also extends protection to victims of bullying based on religion. As a general rule, these federal statutes will only provide a basis for a bullying lawsuit if the offending conduct occurred on school grounds, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored event. Since these laws generally apply to entities receiving federal funding, claims also typically must be brought against school districts rather than individual school officials.

State Liability Laws and Common Law

States often have their own discrimination and harassment laws that might be drafted to include a broader number of protected classes. These state and local laws might offer another legal basis for a personal injury victim or family of a wrongful death victim to pursue a lawsuit for damages. Common-law tort can provide another avenue for pursuing a lawsuit against a school district for bullying. “Common law” refers to law based on court precedent as opposed to the enactment of legislation. There are situations where filing a lawsuit based on state common law provides an advantage, such as cases where the bullying victim is not a member of a specific legally protected class. The legal standard to prevail in a state common-law case also often will be less stringent than in actions under federal civil rights laws. While the standard under federal civil rights statutes for holding a school district liable might be “deliberate indifference,” merely proving negligence might be sufficient under common law. Some potential common-law causes of action include:

• Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Failure to supervise. Note that while showing negligent conduct can be sufficient to prevail in some jurisdictions, the failure to supervise must be willful and wanton in other jurisdictions.

Procedural and Substantive Hurdles to Pursuing a School Bullying Lawsuit

Whether you’re pursuing a lawsuit for bullying-related conduct in state or federal court, representation by a personal injury or wrongful death attorney with experience suing school districts is important because these cases can be quite complex. Although lawsuits to hold school districts accountable for peer-on-peer bullying have been successful, a positive outcome requires effective navigation of a variety of procedural and substantive hurdles.

Notice

Aside from the notice and procedural requirements of tort claims acts when suing a public entity, there’s another important type of notice: School districts will only be liable for the bullying behavior of other students if they were given notice of it. Schools are held accountable for harm based on conduct that school officials “know or should know” is occurring. The liability of the school would be based on failing to adequately intervene to stop or prevent bullying. If notice is not provided to allow the school to take action, the district will use their lack of awareness of the inappropriate conduct as a defense.

Knowledge of State Anti-Bullying Laws and School Policies

Because of the intricacies of suing a public entity, the relevant laws and school policies must be thoroughly researched before pursuing a lawsuit. For instance, defining what constitutes bullying is relegated to local school districts in some states. The procedures for alerting school authorities of the inappropriate conduct also should be articulated within these school policies. A thorough familiarity with the laws in your jurisdiction and school policies will be necessary to determine what constitutes impermissible conduct and the procedures the school was required to follow to remedy the situation.

Selection of the Proper Forum and Law

A claim in federal court under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) might be a successful strategy for a student tormented socially and mentally because she has had a leg amputated. However, a failure to supervise claim in state court might be a more promising option for a person who is not a member of an identified group under federal or state civil rights laws. If a student is bullied because of their sexuality, taking action under a state civil rights law that includes sexual orientation as a protected class might be a superior option to a federal lawsuit under Title IX.

Lack of Physical Harm

Bullying lawsuits are more likely to succeed when they are based on physical rather than social or verbal harassment. Furthermore, some states will not permit a tort recovery unless a physical injury can be proven. A pattern of verbal or social harassment over a prolonged period can justify a recovery by strengthening a claim of physical harm. Evidence to meet this requirement might be shown through depression, declining grades, anxiety, and other forms of psychological harm.

Frequently Asked Questions About School Bullying and Personal Injury Lawsuits

What Should I Do if I Suspect My Child Is Being Bullied?

A Parent’s first priority must be to determine whether their child is being harassed and then to stop the conduct. Notifying school officials and the offending child’s parents might be sufficient to get the bullying to cease. If the school does not take adequate steps and comply with its own policies regarding bullying, the school district might be liable. However, you need to provide notice to ensure that school officials know or should know about the bullying; you need to be heard and a record of your complaints must be made.

Can I Simply Call My Child’s Teacher if My Child Is Being Bullied?

When you notify the school that your child is a victim of bullying, you should do so in writing. Although alerting your child’s teacher might be prudent, the school will have specific procedures for handling bullying claims. You should make sure you understand the school’s policies for responding to and investigating bullying complaints. If you need to file a lawsuit against the school, you will have to provide notice of your claim to the school first, and the policies of the school will indicate who you must notify and specify the information that must be included. It is important that you understand this procedure and comply with the requirements to avoid forfeiting your right to a school bullying lawsuit against the district. Consulting an attorney for bullying at school about your prior actions and given notices can help make the litigation process easier and stop the abuse.

How Do I File a Complaint Against a School District?

If you have an issue with a school and district officials haven’t addressed any of your concerns, then your next step is to file a complaint with school officials in the area where the school is located.

Can I Pursue a Lawsuit Against the Parents of the Child Who Is Bullying My Child?

Parents can be liable if their child’s bullying causes harm to another child, but you might be able to resolve the situation simply by making the other parent aware of the situation. If the parents dismiss your concerns and fail to intervene, this will strengthen your position if you must pursue a lawsuit related to harm caused by the other child.

Can You File a Lawsuit Against a School?

Yes, you can file a lawsuit against a school, as long as you have a reasonable cause, such as negligence, emotional distress or illegal practices. However, each of these claims has elements that need to be proven in order to give you the best possible chance of a positive outcome.

How Do You Sue a School System/District?

You can file a civil lawsuit against a school system/district for negligence or discrimination if you’ve gathered enough evidence to file a complaint. An attorney can help walk you through the process of suing a school district for bullying, harassment or negligence.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Sue the School if My Concerns About My Child Being Bullied Are Not Handled Adequately?

It’s not strictly required, but it’s highly advisable to retain a lawyer for a child bullying lawsuit. The procedural complications and substantive law involved in pursuing a claim for personal injury or wrongful death based on bullying behavior can be complex and confusing, and an experienced school law attorney who handles bullying claims will be able to guide you through these obstacles. After all, you can be sure that the school district will have their attorneys involved at the first opportunity.

Can You Sue a School for Not Protecting Your Child?

You can sue a school for negligence if you have proof that you or your child sought help from a teacher, principal or other school official and your child’s needs still went unaddressed.

Can You Sue a School District for Emotional Distress?

You can file a civil claim against a school for emotional distress. In order to strengthen your claim of emotional distress, the first step is to talk to a licensed doctor or psychologist for a proper diagnosis.

Can You Sue Civilly for Harassment?

Victims of harassment can file a civil lawsuit. Each state has a different definition of what constitutes harassment, so it’s best to talk to a lawyer who can help you understand if your case falls under the state’s statutes.

Can You Sue Someone for Being Mean?

You can file a civil lawsuit against somebody who harassed you or someone who defamed you with libel or slander. But to win a libel lawsuit, you must provide proof that the statement was false, was made with malice, and harmed you in some way.

Can You Sue Someone for Hurting You?

You can sue someone for verbally hurting you if it was outrageous and slanderous, but it is a difficult process. If somebody assaults you, you can sue for damages if you sustained a serious injury or suffered psychological trauma.

Can a Child Defend Themselves at School?

Most schools have a zero-tolerance policy in place that punishes any infraction of the rules, so even if your child is not the one who started the altercation, they are still at risk of getting punished by school officials.

Can You Sue a School for Teacher Bullying?

Yes. If a student is bullied by a teacher, the same laws that can be applied to cases of student-on-student bullying can be used to take action when a teacher is the culprit.

Can I Sue a Teacher for Hitting My Child?

If your child has been abused or harassed by a teacher, the first step is to contact school authorities; if the situation is not addressed, contact a bullying lawyer to discuss all of the options for your case.

What Constitutes Unlawful Bullying Under State and Federal Law?

There is no uniformly adopted definition of bullying under state or federal statutes. While many mental health professionals and the HHS have similar definitions of bullying, the term is not defined by federal law. States may differ in their precise definition of the term, and some state anti-bullying laws authorize local school boards to define the term.

How Many States Have Anti-Cyberbullying Laws?

All 50 states have an anti-bullying law of some sort in place, but not every state’s laws specifically mention cyberbullying.

Why Choose Parker Waichman to Handle Your School Bullying Lawsuit?

When bullying victims seek to hold their tormentors, school authorities, and parents who fail to intervene accountable for the harm they inflict, many legal requirements and practical obstacles must be navigated. An experienced bullying lawyer at Parker Waichman can skillfully advocate for parents and students across the country who have been harmed by all forms of bullying conduct. Our national law firm is firmly committed to delivering the exemplary legal services that our clients expect and deserve. Our personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have received many accolades for tenaciously pursuing the maximum compensation for our clients, including:

• Recognition by Martindale-Hubbell with their highest “AV Preeminent” peer-review rating
• A near-perfect rating of 9.8 by AVVO, which evaluates all U.S. law firms
• Listing in Best Lawyers, based on extensive peer review
• Lawdragon’s top rating, “5 Dragons”