School is supposed to be a safe place for learning and developing and somewhere the parents can trust in the teachers and administration. Something went terribly wrong in that relationship for one family in Montgomery County, Maryland when their 14 year-old daughter died outside the school gym after repeatedly being denied her requests for her inhaler.

Bethesda Beat reports that the family of Taylor Walton is seeking millions of dollars in damages against the school for their negligence, among other things. The Beat quotes the  attorney for the recently filed wrongful death case, “When a child is in the school district, from the time they get there, the school is responsible for their safety.”

The school district might have a tough time mounting  a good defense to this case as Taylor Walton not only asked for her inhaler multiple times before collapsing to her death but the school was also put on notice of her asthma earlier in the year when she had an attack in front of the same gym coach that denied her the inhaler this time.

Similar if the family was suing an individual defendant, they will have to prove that the school failed in their duties to Woods as a student and it was this failure that contributed to her death. Cases like this can not only help to give the grieving family much needed financial compensation to cover the costs associated with the avoidable death (medical expenses before the death, funeral and burial expenses, etc) and other damages but also help to make some reforms in the way the school operates and hopefully avoid any repeat future behavior.

Deaths at school happen and are usually avoidable and not completely the fault of the child. If you are dealing with a tragedy like this, you have legal options available to you and we are here to help. At Walch Law, we know the immense sadness that comes with an avoidable death and will handle all your legal needs from the moment you call us. Please get in touch with us today to discuss your case and questions further.