{"id":368891,"date":"2025-01-31T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-a-teacher-for-bullying-my-child.html"},"modified":"2025-01-31T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T06:00:00","slug":"can-i-sue-a-teacher-for-bullying-my-child","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-a-teacher-for-bullying-my-child.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue a Teacher for Bullying My Child?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue a Teacher for Bullying My Child?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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You can sue a teacher for bullying your child, but the success of such a lawsuit depends on the specific facts and your state\u2019s laws. Common civil claims include intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and discrimination if the bullying targets a protected characteristic.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s always troubling to learn about children being bullied at school. When teachers are involved, it\u2019s even more concerning.<\/p>\n

If your child is experiencing teacher-led bullying<\/a>, there are several courses of action you may take. Among them is bringing a\u00a0civil lawsuit<\/a>\u00a0against the teacher. Various claims may be available to those who wish to pursue this option.<\/p>\n

But public school teachers may be protected by qualified immunity, so consulting a lawyer familiar with education law<\/a> is essential. A compassionate and competent attorney is important and may be your strongest ally.<\/p>\n

While some bullying may warrant criminal charges<\/a>, this article focuses on some of the civil claims you might bring against a teacher who bullies your child. How you proceed will depend heavily on the circumstances as well as your state\u2019s laws. But regardless of what happened and where it happened, several underlying principles apply.<\/p>\n

What Is a Civil Lawsuit?<\/h2>\n

A civil case is a type of legal action. It typically involves a dispute between private parties, such as individuals or organizations. Even though a school may be public<\/a>, it can still be a private party in a civil lawsuit.<\/p>\n

Civil cases aim to resolve the issue(s) by providing compensation or other remedies to the injured party. A civil lawsuit against a teacher for bullying a student will likely be a personal injury case<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is because \u201cpersonal injury\u201d refers to harm suffered by a party because of another party\u2019s conduct.<\/p>\n

What Is the Legal Definition of Bullying?<\/h2>\n

Many behaviors can feel like bullying. When considering legal action, it\u2019s important to understand what the term means.<\/p>\n

Bullying<\/a> generally refers to intentional behavior that aims to hurt, harm, or intimidate another person. It\u2019s usually repeated and involves a power imbalance. This means the bully uses their power to control or harm another.<\/p>\n

The power imbalance may be real or perceived. Some examples of this power include physical strength, social status, or authority.<\/p>\n

Below are some main types of bullying:<\/p>\n