Fox News, the New York Times and other media outlets recently scooped the story of Zachary Christie, a Six year-old boy suspended from school for forty-five days. The offense: The kindergarten boy brought a combined Fork, Spoon, Knife tool to school for use at Lunch. While no personal injury was caused, the school classified the tool as a weapon, and so the boy technically violated the school's zero-tolerance weapons policy. At first glance, the story provides a quick basis for criticizing the school for being insensible in its enforcement of rules (other points here). After all, the boy did not have any intent to cause personal injury to himself or others. On the other hand, point out New York personal injury lawyers, some children do bring knifes to school, with intent to hurt. New York City public schools and others nationwide have seen it. And that is a very dangerous condition. The bottom line is that schools bear a legal responsibility to provide safe places for kids to learn, just as companies must provide safe places for people to work. Rules, regulations and law are the means by which these institutions do so. Injury compensation, Slip and fall liability, and negligent conditions are necessary to keep New York workplaces, apartments, sidewalks, buses and hospitals safe. So before snickering at the Christina School District's judgment, let's recognize its aim of upholding safety. Nobody wants a personal injury to transpire, not a school or anyone else.
