My nephew fell in the school yard 2 weeks ago, his parents were not notified of it and therefore didn't realise the seriousness of it until they brought him to doctor about 5 hours after school finishing because he was limping and crying with pain.
Doctor sent him hospital for x-ray and it turned out he had two fractures in his foot. When his parents went into the school the following week it turned out that his incident had not been notified to to school principal. He said he would follow up with the teachers concerns and was quite cool with them advising that their son like all other children in the school have 24hr Insurance protection and gave them the Insurance details.
However he then rang them back saying that he has spoken to the teachers concerned and both teachers who were on yard duty were happy enough that the fall was no different to other falls within the yard and were shocked by the injury sustained and therefore didn't see the need to notify the principal of the incident. When their son returned to school his father asked for a copy of the accident report form and Principal said that it was not recorded as he had not been notified but he would get one done up, he also provided a copy of the Schools Accident reporting procedures. When his father asked why the procedure was not followed ie parents notified, the Principal said he could not notify him of it as he was not made aware by the teachers on yard duty and also that their son had not complained adequately enough about how much pain he had been in so the teacher on the yard and in his class did not see it fit to follow it up. My nephew has plaster on his ankle and will for the next few weeks or so, the doctors bills are covered by the Insurance but nothing else, nothing for taking time off to bring their child to a hospital every week 50miles away and having to take time off work for this. Ok I know if he had fallen at home they would have to do this anyway but I cannot understand how the school makes it obligitory for parents to pay this Insurance for their children but it only covers doctors bills, but if it had been a member of staff they get a weekly payment (this is my understanding from reading up on it, I may be wrong or perhaps it is to cover their salary)
My question is, were the school negligent in their handling of my nephew, because his parents had not been notified of the incident they unfortunately did not make an informed decision about the follow up care for their child. The school did admit that because the school was closing for a half day that day that they did not see it necessary to contact either of the parents but if it had been a full day without doubt the teachers in question said they would have advised the Principal who said he would ALWAYS notify the parents of all school incidents. When asked why no-one followed up with their son to even ask him how he was they said that his limping was not apparent and children tend to over-react if they find teachers are asking them how they are!!!
I understand people will think it's the Insurance culture we are in that has me posting like this but as I keep telling my sister if she or anyone else had fallen in work and were not offered any assistance until after their finish time, would they accept that and I don't think so. It is my understanding that teachers have a duty of care and this involves treating each child as if it were their own, I'm not talking over the top stuff I just mean advising someone else who is the responsible person (the parent) of the incident and letting them make the decision.
Any views?
Doctor sent him hospital for x-ray and it turned out he had two fractures in his foot. When his parents went into the school the following week it turned out that his incident had not been notified to to school principal. He said he would follow up with the teachers concerns and was quite cool with them advising that their son like all other children in the school have 24hr Insurance protection and gave them the Insurance details.
However he then rang them back saying that he has spoken to the teachers concerned and both teachers who were on yard duty were happy enough that the fall was no different to other falls within the yard and were shocked by the injury sustained and therefore didn't see the need to notify the principal of the incident. When their son returned to school his father asked for a copy of the accident report form and Principal said that it was not recorded as he had not been notified but he would get one done up, he also provided a copy of the Schools Accident reporting procedures. When his father asked why the procedure was not followed ie parents notified, the Principal said he could not notify him of it as he was not made aware by the teachers on yard duty and also that their son had not complained adequately enough about how much pain he had been in so the teacher on the yard and in his class did not see it fit to follow it up. My nephew has plaster on his ankle and will for the next few weeks or so, the doctors bills are covered by the Insurance but nothing else, nothing for taking time off to bring their child to a hospital every week 50miles away and having to take time off work for this. Ok I know if he had fallen at home they would have to do this anyway but I cannot understand how the school makes it obligitory for parents to pay this Insurance for their children but it only covers doctors bills, but if it had been a member of staff they get a weekly payment (this is my understanding from reading up on it, I may be wrong or perhaps it is to cover their salary)
My question is, were the school negligent in their handling of my nephew, because his parents had not been notified of the incident they unfortunately did not make an informed decision about the follow up care for their child. The school did admit that because the school was closing for a half day that day that they did not see it necessary to contact either of the parents but if it had been a full day without doubt the teachers in question said they would have advised the Principal who said he would ALWAYS notify the parents of all school incidents. When asked why no-one followed up with their son to even ask him how he was they said that his limping was not apparent and children tend to over-react if they find teachers are asking them how they are!!!
I understand people will think it's the Insurance culture we are in that has me posting like this but as I keep telling my sister if she or anyone else had fallen in work and were not offered any assistance until after their finish time, would they accept that and I don't think so. It is my understanding that teachers have a duty of care and this involves treating each child as if it were their own, I'm not talking over the top stuff I just mean advising someone else who is the responsible person (the parent) of the incident and letting them make the decision.
Any views?