Legal Question in Personal Injury in Pennsylvania
School District
Is it true that School Districts, like many government agencies are immune to lawsuits? The question is in regard to a student assault while in the classroom.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: School District
Unfortunately, that is partly true. Under Pennsylvania state law, local govt agencies are immune from liability for injuries unless a specific exception in the statute applies. For a school district, there is an exception for a dangerous condition of the real estate. So if, say, a light fixture fell down because the maintenance department didn't mount it properly, the school district could be sued (but even then, there are caps and other restrictions). But generally, the school is not liable for supervision of other students.
Lawyers have tried to use federal civil rights laws, which aren't affected by the state law, but have not had much success.