Chemistry experiments are an important part our children’s education in school, but occasionally accidents do happen. Teachers are supposed to protect our students, keep them away from harm, and instruct them on the proper use of safety gear. That system seems to have broken down at one school in the New York. Indeed, four students were injured in a school accident in the Bronx late last month after a teacher failed to anticipate the consequences of their experiment. The students were taking part in a chemistry class when an experiment went haywire, causing a minor explosion.
All of the victims were transported to Jacobi Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries-though several did have burns on the exposed skin of their hands, necks, and faces.
Investigators say that a teacher at St. Catherine Academy on Williamsburg Road was engaged in demonstrating certain atomic properties using alcohol and some sort of metal when the flame they were using blossomed out of control, singing all of the victims.
One parent of an injured student said that the victims were not wearing protective gear (such as gloves and goggles) at the time of the chemistry accident-a clear safety violation. It was just pure luck that their injuries were not more serious-especially since several of the victims suffered facial injuries.
School officials were quick to put a damper on reports stating the fire simply “got a little larger than was anticipated.” It is important to remember that the school is always responsible for the actions of their employees when the school employees are acting within the scope of their employment.
If your child has been injured while in the care of teachers, school administrators, school aides or other school employees, you may be able to hold that institution financially liable. Contact a New York City school accident attorney at the Law offices of Nussin S. Fogel immediately. To speak to an experienced lawyer and learn your rights, call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122.