Should the School Be Liable for Kid Getting Injured on Campus?

Should the School Be Liable for Kid Getting Injured on Campus?

Recently, a campus accident case in Wuxi, Jiangsu has attracted widespread attention. A sixth-grade student accidentally fell down the stairs after school and was injured. The parents sued the school, demanding 80,000 yuan in compensation. The court ultimately ruled that the school was not liable for damages—a result that surprised many. Does this mean schools are not responsible when students get hurt on campus? 

In this case, 12-year-old Zhao Xiaomou fell while descending the stairs after school, sustaining dental injuries. The parents argued that the school failed in its supervisory duties and should compensate them, while the school provided substantial evidence: clear safety warnings such as "Watch Your Step" were posted in the stairwell, regular safety education was conducted, and teachers immediately contacted the parents and accompanied the child to the hospital after the incident. The court's on-site inspection confirmed that the stair facilities were in good condition, with no evidence of pushing by others or structural defects. 

Article 1200 of China's Civil Code clearly stipulates that for personal injuries sustained by individuals with limited capacity for civil conduct during school hours, the school is only liable if it "failed in its educational or managerial duties." 

In this case, the judge examined three key aspects:

First, whether the school had taken preventive measures, including safety education and facility maintenance;

Second, whether the response during the incident was timely and appropriate;

And third, whether proper medical care was provided afterward.

The court concluded that the school had fulfilled its responsibilities in all these areas and therefore should not be held liable. 

This ruling sets an important precedent. In reality, many schools, fearing parental disputes, adopt overly cautious approaches—even canceling normal physical activities. This case sends a clear message: the judiciary will not "muddy the waters." 

As long as a school fulfills its duties, it will receive legal protection. This not only safeguards normal teaching order but also guides parents toward rational dispute resolution—not every accident requires someone to "take the blame"; the key lies in determining whether fault exists. 

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