Injuries on a College Campus: Your Student’s Rights

Bill Allen | July 8, 2025 | Personal Injury

Injuries on a College Campus: Your Student’s Rights

As a parent, the thought of your child being injured creates a sinking feeling in your stomach. Things can be even more difficult if the injury happens while your child is away at school because you are not there to help take care of things. Understanding your student’s rights and what to do in these situations can help take away some of the stress of the event.

In some cases, the school could be responsible for your child’s injuries in Gainesville. Colleges have a duty to keep their campuses reasonably safe, and they can face liability for injuries when they fail to do so. Dive into all the details below to learn more about your student’s rights after an injury on their college campus. Contact your personal injury attorneys in Gainesville, Florida, if you’ve been hurt on a college campus.

Is a College Responsible for a Student’s Injuries?

So, who pays after an injury on a college campus? Whether or not your child’s college is responsible for their injuries depends on the specific facts of the situation. If the student suffered injuries because of the college’s negligence, then the college could likely be held responsible for those injuries. 

Proving negligence in a Florida personal injury case requires proving:

  • Duty of care
  • Breach of duty
  • Causation
  • Damages

The duty of care required in a specific situation must be determined by examining all the facts. On a college campus, the school usually has a duty to maintain the campus so that accidents do not happen. If the college fails to do so and a student is injured as a result, then the school can face liability.

Just because the student is injured on campus does not always mean that the school is responsible. For instance, suppose a student is struck by a vehicle while crossing the street on the way to class. However, the school has a clearly marked crosswalk at this location, along with flashing lights to warn motorists of pedestrians. In that situation, the school would likely not face any liability, although the driver of the vehicle could be held responsible.

Damages Available to Injured Students

Students who suffer injuries on campus may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. This means that students who successfully prove their claim may recover their financial losses as well as pain and suffering damages. 

Some common examples include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of quality of life

As with other personal injury claims, putting an accurate value on your damages is crucial to getting all the compensation you are owed.

How to File a Claim Against a College in Florida

If you need to file a claim against a college or university in Florida, the process can be somewhat complex. First, you must determine whether the school is a public or private institution. If it is a private institution, then you can file a lawsuit the same way you would for any other personal injury claim.

However, if the school is a public institution, you must first notify the school and allow them to perform an investigation before you can proceed with a lawsuit. If your claim is denied, you may then proceed with a lawsuit. However, the amount that you can recover from government entities, including schools and universities, is generally limited to $200,000 per person or $300,000 per accident.

Settling Your Injury Claim

Most personal injury claims are settled without ever going to trial. Even if you do proceed with a lawsuit, settlement negotiations usually keep most cases from going all the way to a trial. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help negotiate a settlement for your claim that fully compensates you for all your damages. Understanding your rights and following the proper process can be key to getting all the compensation you are owed.

Contact Our Gainesville Personal Injury Law Firm at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers in North Central Florida

If your child has been injured on a college campus, you don’t have to face the uncertainty and legal complexity alone. At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand how overwhelming these situations can be, especially when they involve your child’s health and future. 

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today, we’re open 24 hours daily.

We have three convenient locations in Marion County and Alachua County, North Central Florida:

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville Office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258