By Eric Shore, New Jersey personal injury lawyer
Law Offices of Eric A. Shore
When a car slammed into Elizabeth High School in January 2026 and injured a student, it was a reminder of something parents rarely think about until it happens. Schools feel safe, but when a child is hurt at school, what happens in the first hours matters more than people realize.
The two most important things are proper medical care and preserving evidence. A school nurse visit is not enough, and waiting too long to document what happened can quietly damage a case before it even starts.
Why medical care matters more than parents are told
If a child is injured at school, even if the injury looks minor, get real medical care. Head injuries, neck pain, back pain, and facial injuries can evolve over time. Emotional symptoms like anxiety or sleep problems may not show up until days later.
A school nurse is there to stabilize, not diagnose. There is no imaging, no testing, and often no detailed medical record. If symptoms change after your child gets home, go back and get it documented. Medical records are what connect the injury to the incident.
Evidence disappears faster than people expect
Parents are often told the school will take care of everything. That can be a mistake.
Before repairs are made or conditions are changed, evidence should be preserved.
Parents can help by taking photos of visible injuries, damaged clothing or backpacks, and the exact area where the injury happened. Photos taken early can matter just as much as a later investigation by a lawyer or investigator.
If anyone saw what happened, get names and contact information. Students, staff, and parents move on quickly.
Save emails, robocalls, or parent portal messages sent by the school after the incident. Those communications can become important later.
Why school injury cases are harder and how real cases are built
Many parents assume that if a child is hurt at school, the school district is automatically responsible. In New Jersey, it is rarely that simple. Public schools have immunity protections and strict notice requirements.
That does not mean injured children are out of options.
In cases our firm has handled, the key is not stopping with the school district. The real work is identifying all responsible parties.
We have handled cases involving playground injuries where the issue was not just supervision, but dangerous conditions that went beyond ordinary wear and tear.
In one case, children were playing on a fence that had shifted over time, creating a serious pinch hazard. A child suffered a partial finger amputation. By identifying multiple responsible parties, including those involved in installing and maintaining the fence, the case resolved for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In another case, a child was injured while running inside a gymnasium and was left with a permanent facial scar. The injury was tied to inadequate supervision that had been delegated to a third party, not solely the school district.
Immunity is not the end of the analysis. It is where the real analysis begins.
Deadlines matter when a public school is involved
If a New Jersey public entity may share responsibility, the Tort Claims Act often requires formal notice within about 90 days. Missing that deadline can end a case before it starts.
Even when fault is unclear, deadlines and evidence move fast. Video can be overwritten. Conditions can be repaired.
Common mistakes that hurt real cases
Relying only on the school nurse.
Without proper medical records, it becomes harder to connect injuries to the incident.
Waiting too long to document symptoms.
Concussions, anxiety, and pain often appear later.
Assuming the school will preserve evidence.
Video and physical conditions are often changed quickly.
Settling too early.
Early payments often come with releases that close the door on future care.
FAQ
Do I need to take my child to the doctor if the school nurse checked them?
Yes, especially after a head impact, facial injury, pain, dizziness, confusion, or symptoms that change later.
Can parents really help with evidence collection?
Yes. Photos of injuries and the scene taken early can be critical before repairs or changes are made.
Can there be a case even if suing the school is difficult?
Yes. Many strong cases involve third parties responsible for equipment, maintenance, or supervision.
What if symptoms show up days later?
Get medical follow up and document the change.
At the end of the day, focus on two things. Get proper medical care and preserve the facts early. That gives families time to make informed decisions instead of rushed ones.
Eric Shore is a New Jersey personal injury and disability lawyer at the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore. The firm’s personal injury team has extensive experience handling cases involving children injured at schools, playgrounds, and other supervised settings.
Published January 6, 2026.
