This case revolves around an alleged incident at Dos Amigos, a charter school in Bushwick, Brooklyn, part of the School in the Square network. An eight-year-old student, identified as L.E., reportedly suffered burns to her lips, mouth, and face after drinking from a water fountain at the school. The family alleges that the fountain was improperly connected to hot water pipes, posing a significant hazard to students. They claim that this dangerous setup was intentional, designed to facilitate staff members in making warm beverages. The lawsuit accuses the school of negligence in maintaining a safe environment for its students and deliberately creating a hazardous condition by connecting a water fountain intended for student use to a hot water source.
The family’s legal complaint further alleges a pattern of negligence and a subsequent cover-up by the school following the incident. They contend that school staff failed to provide immediate care or notify the parents after L.E. sustained the burns. Adding to their grievances, the family alleges that Dos Amigos removed the implicated water fountain the day after the incident while the parents were meeting with school administrators. This action, the family argues, was a deliberate attempt to obstruct their investigation, prevent them from gathering evidence, and conceal the school’s negligence. The removal of the fountain before the parents could inspect it underscores the family’s claim of a cover-up, raising questions about the school’s transparency and accountability in addressing the incident.
The family’s attorney, Marc Held, emphasized the inherent danger posed by the water fountain, highlighting the absence of a safety valve as a crucial factor contributing to the child’s injuries. This absence of a safety mechanism, he argues, demonstrates a clear disregard for the safety of the students who use the fountain. Held further underscores the suspicious timing of the fountain’s removal, asserting that it was specifically done while the parents were meeting with the school administration. This act, he claims, deliberately prevented the parents from personally examining the fountain and gathering evidence to support their case. This perceived obstruction of justice strengthens the family’s claim of negligence and a subsequent attempt to conceal the hazardous condition that led to L.E.’s injuries.
The lawsuit names the city of New York, the Department of Education, and School in the Square as defendants, seeking unspecified damages for the injuries sustained by L.E. The Department of Education deflected inquiries to School in the Square, which has not issued any public statement or comment on the lawsuit. This lack of response from the school further fuels the perception of a lack of transparency and accountability. The family’s pursuit of legal action indicates their determination to hold the responsible parties accountable for the alleged negligence that resulted in their child’s injuries and the perceived attempts to cover up the incident. The lawsuit seeks not only compensation for the child’s physical and emotional distress but also aims to bring attention to the potential dangers present in school environments and the importance of maintaining student safety.
This case raises broader questions about the responsibility of schools to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. The allegations highlight the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of school facilities to identify and eliminate potential hazards. Furthermore, it underscores the need for transparent communication between schools and parents, especially in situations involving student injuries. The alleged attempt to cover up the incident by removing the fountain emphasizes the need for clear protocols for handling such incidents, including preserving evidence and cooperating with investigations.
The outcome of this lawsuit will likely have significant implications for school safety policies and procedures. It could potentially lead to increased scrutiny of school facilities and stricter enforcement of safety regulations. Moreover, it could influence the way schools communicate with parents about student safety issues and their handling of incidents involving student injuries. The case also highlights the role of parents in advocating for their children’s safety and holding schools accountable for maintaining a safe learning environment. The lawsuit serves as a reminder that vigilance and proactive measures are essential to preventing such incidents and ensuring the well-being of students in educational settings.
