Middle School Child injured playing hockey in PE Class

[Anonymous]

My child was playing hockey in PE class. The supervision was not the best and they were not wearing mouth guards. Unfortunately my child lost a tooth because it was hit with a hockey stick. My child will need a new tooth and it will be very costly. Is this something that the MCPS Insurance policy can pay, since Dental insurance covers very little for this. It seems pretty negligent that an organized PE class was playing hockey without mouth guards. Not sure the best next step? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Ask the school. or a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

I feel for you OP. My tiny MS daughter got hit and bruised every day with the stick during the co-ed street hockey PE unit.

[Anonymous]

Probably not, kids break arms and fingers all the time in PE, sports, and recess. Accidents happen.

[Anonymous]

These kinds of injuries happen all the time in and out of school with kids playing sports. We’ve had it happen. And most dental insurance sucks. I’m sorry OP but it’s pretty common and I can commiserate.

[Anonymous]

Call Saiontz and Kirk. If you have a phone, you have a lawyer!

[Anonymous]

I would have a conversation with the principal to ask what resources the school provides to pay for accidents caused by risky compulsory activities. I am SURE you'll get a call within a day.

[Anonymous]

MCPS will deny that they have any responsibility whatsoever to keep your kid safe, just as they have in previous cases far more egregious than this one.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. I was forced to play lacrosse in junior high sports and someone threw a ball at my head, landing on my brow. It shattered my eyeglasses. Doctor said if I hadn't been wearing my glasses, my eye could have been seriously damaged. And the teacher expected me to play the next day with NO vision because I as getting my glasses replaced. Of course since we were girls we had no mouth guard and no helmet or glasses which is ridiculous. I'm glad female lacrosse players wear more protective gear know. The guys back then did but the girls did not.

Losing an adult tooth is a big deal. I would absolutely try to get the school to pay for it because they shouldn't be having kids play those sports without mouthguards.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry. My child broke his arm due to another child during a poorly supervised recess (and after was also not treated appropriately). The school did nothing.

[Anonymous]

I’m a PE teacher and I would definitely sue! I’m so sick and tired of lazy and stupid teachers that give us a bad name. How many on a team? What were the rules? What lead up lessons were had before the big game? What safety measures were taught? Ask to see the lesson plans. I hope at the very least the dental bills are covered. I’m so sorry that this happened to your child.

[Anonymous]

Just the thought of sharing mouth guards from different classes is making me gag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just the thought of sharing mouth guards from different classes is making me gag.

Why would they share mouthguards? That would actually be impossible as they mold to your teeth. At my kids private they are each given a new mouth guard the week before, mold it at home and bring it in. The basic mouthguards are very cheap to buy in bulk. That said, I lost a tooth in field hockey while wearing a mouthguard so not sure how much they help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a PE teacher and I would definitely sue! I’m so sick and tired of lazy and stupid teachers that give us a bad name. How many on a team? What were the rules? What lead up lessons were had before the big game? What safety measures were taught? Ask to see the lesson plans. I hope at the very least the dental bills are covered. I’m so sorry that this happened to your child.

Also, ask to see the video. Every gym has cameras. Was your child down very low or did someone swing very high?

[Anonymous]

This is absolutely terrible OP, I’m so sorry, it makes me sick to read this. My DD just started middle school in a different county (still DC area)… they at least offer a “non-competitive” and “competitive” side for every sport (and she always opts for the non), but I’m still anxious she’ll get injured at some point. There has to be a recourse for you and a better approach overall.