need advice badly

[petersondm1]

Washington State
I dont even know if I'm in the right forum because the "injuries" are not the problem. Kids get hurt, at school and out of school so, like I said - thats not the reason I need advice.
On January 8 my son (8th grade) was injured at school. Snowy day, kids stuck inside, they were wresteling, on mats under supervision. I still dont know if this was an authorized physical education activity because the school district wont return my calls. Here's the first problem:
When my son was sent to the school nurse with a bleeding cracked toe nail she called my cell phone leaving many messages. 1) she NEVER called my office phone on file. 2) she NEVER called the alternate emergency contacts who were less than 5 minutes away. 3) she NEVER persued medical assistance for my son when she didnt get a response from the messages she left on my cell phone.
I received the messages about an hour later and from then it took me almost an hour to get to my son. He sat there in pain for nearly 2 hours with a broken toe, and split toe nail bleeding.
Next issue.. Yesterday, March 5, my son was involved in the after school wresteling team practice. 1) I never signed anything allowing him to be on the team. 2) the DR never sent a release from the broken toe - I never requested that he do this. When I got home last night I found my son in so much pain he could only stand in the middle of the room crying. When I took him to the ER they said he had a badly strained neck. Again accidents happen. My issue: the accident happened shortly before 5pm. I was still at my office until about 5:15pm - no one called to tell me my son had been injured, I found out shortly before 6pm when I got home. Issue #2 - the "responsible adults" sent my son home with a neck injury. Not only did they not attempt to contact me, they never attempted to seek medical help for a 12 year old with a neck injury and sent him home. His pain level is so high I missed today at work because he cant even walk 20 feet to the bathroom alone!
I dont know what to do. Do they only call if the child dies? They'll call my office AND the emergency contacts every 2 minutes if he cops an attitude with a teacher, but 2 injuries and they did NOTHING? What do I do?

[ecmst12]

For issue 1, you call the principal and voice your concerns.

For issue 2, the coach may not have been aware that he was injured or how serious it was. Muscle strain injuries frequently have a gradual onset - sharp pain right when it happens, then you think you will be OK, then a couple of hours (or even days) later, the pain really starts to hit you as the muscle swells and stiffens up. I would again suggest talking to the supervising teacher or his boss about what happens, in a non-accusatory manner. Make sure the supervisor has your correct contact info in case something DOES happen.

[petersondm1]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

For issue 1, you call the principal and voice your concerns.


For issue 2, the coach may not have been aware that he was injured or how serious it was. Muscle strain injuries frequently have a gradual onset - sharp pain right when it happens, then you think you will be OK, then a couple of hours (or even days) later, the pain really starts to hit you as the muscle swells and stiffens up. I would again suggest talking to the supervising teacher or his boss about what happens, in a non-accusatory manner. Make sure the supervisor has your correct contact info in case something DOES happen.

1# I have been trying to contact the pricipal for 2 months about the last accident and not only will she not return my calls, the school board reps wont return my calls. All I get is that they are not in the officce and I'm sent to voice mail..
#2 The coach knew about the previous injury - he was the supervising the PE the day my son broke his toe, saw my son in an orthopedic boot for 8 weeks, and he new about this one. Another child said that the coach told my son (last night) that "it might be a pulled muscle". 2 months ago I contacted the state school board about them not doing anything, they not only have my contact information, they have 4 emergecy contacts that work within minutes of the school. Another parent gave my son a ride home, when the coach allowed him to walk home, and was going to take him to the hospital when I showed up. Apparently as soon as it happened my son was having to hold his own head up, crying, and needed help walking - this was no delayed reaction, but youre right that the pain got worse he's not even able to sit up to eat today.

[msiron]

Send a certified letter with return receipt to the principal and one to the education administrator in your city/town, wait a few days, then show up in person at he school. If this principal still won't see you, send another certified letter stating if there is no response within -xx- amount of days that the your next step is legal intervention.

[tammy8]

If you are *THAT* concerned about your child, why haven't you taken your butt down to the school and sat there until you spoke to the princpal?

[tammy8]

And your child is what 13 or 14? I can't image anyone forcing him to wrestle if he didn't want to? He needs a lot of blame for the 2nd situation.

[ecmst12]

OP already said she isn't complaining about the fact that he got injured, only about the school's lack of initiative in notifying her.

[petersondm1]

Originally Posted by tammy8

If you are *THAT* concerned about your child, why haven't you taken your butt down to the school and sat there until you spoke to the princpal?

First of all, between the 2 injuries in 2 months I have lost a total of 37 hours pay between doctors appointmets and having my "butt" at the school waiting only to be told that there was no one available to speak to. My "butt" does not collect welfare and goes to work every day to support my children that I am very concerned with. Unlike some, I dont have the convenience to sit my "butt around all day".

Second to the one who said my son has to take blame - he is 12 years old. It was not the schools position to accept the wants of a 12 year old child over verifying with me - the adult. He wasnt forced to wrestle, but allowed by an adult to wrestle without the permission of the mother.

I do appreciate the comments from those with options on how to handle this, but please dont try to condem me for going to work and paying my bills, and dont blame my child for the fact that the school appointed employees did not respond to the injuries as their own policy quotes:

"Any child who appears very ill or or who has received a serious injury should either be sent home with a parent or to an emergency facility as quickly as possible"
or
"Any student wishing to participate in after school sports activites must obtain the written permission of a legal parent or guardian, a sports physical by a certified physician, and the permission of the school."
I never gave my permission for him to join the wresteling team.

[BuffettFan]

Originally Posted by petersondm1

1# I have been trying to contact the pricipal for 2 months about the last accident and not only will she not return my calls, the school board reps wont return my calls. All I get is that they are not in the officce and I'm sent to voice mail..
#2 The coach knew about the previous injury - he was the supervising the PE the day my son broke his toe, saw my son in an orthopedic boot for 8 weeks, and he new about this one. Another child said that the coach told my son (last night) that "it might be a pulled muscle". 2 months ago I contacted the state school board about them not doing anything, they not only have my contact information, they have 4 emergecy contacts that work within minutes of the school. Another parent gave my son a ride home, when the coach allowed him to walk home, and was going to take him to the hospital when I showed up. Apparently as soon as it happened my son was having to hold his own head up, crying, and needed help walking - this was no delayed reaction, but youre right that the pain got worse he's not even able to sit up to eat today.

I would agree with all the advice offered to date. But I would question some of your information. After both having and treated multiple broken toes, I'm more than suprised that a simple broken toe required a boot for any amount of time. I've snapped my big toe, had it set in the ER, and played soccer again within 2 weeks. They're painful, but not much else.


What result do you want out of the issues you've raised?