{"id":368931,"date":"2023-03-27T13:49:21","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T18:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-parents-for-bullying.html"},"modified":"2026-06-22T16:42:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T21:42:41","slug":"can-i-sue-parents-for-bullying","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-parents-for-bullying.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue the Parents of My Child’s Bully?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue the Parents of My Child's Bully?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, 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

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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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Yes, you may be able to sue the parents of a minor who is bullying your child. Generally, a parent is responsible for their minor child’s bullying if they are aware of it and have the chance to stop it. Parents can be held legally responsible for their child\u2019s actions under negligence or parental responsibility laws. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

If a parent fails to stop the bullying and your child is hurt, physically or emotionally, you would be able to sue the parents under state law. This is on top of any claims you might want to bring against the school system.<\/p>\n

But suing the parents poses some legal challenges. You would need to establish that they knew of the bullying, which requires you to prove what was in their heads. That’s a difficult task. You would also need to consider the possibility of tagging their homeowner’s insurance policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Taking legal action may encourage accountability and help prevent further harm. A\u00a0personal injury lawyer<\/a>\u00a0near you can help you navigate the legal process, give legal advice specific to your situation, and represent you if you decide to file a lawsuit.<\/p>\n

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

There isn’t a standard legal definition of bullying itself. Instead, a few legal concepts and government agencies help form an idea of what bullying is \u2014 and when it’s severe enough to seek a legal remedy.<\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control<\/a> (CDC), bullying is any unwanted or repeated aggressive behavior that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance. Bullying may inflict physical, psychological, and emotional harm on the victim. Harm can be even more significant if the victim has low self-esteem or special needs.<\/p>\n

Some specific acts of bullying may be illegal under criminal laws<\/a>. Other bullying cases may only be civil in nature<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bullying typically takes the following forms:<\/p>\n