AUGUST 28, 2025
How to Protect Your Child from Active Shooters at School—and What Parents' Legal Rights Are in Kansas
School shootings have become a tragic reality across the United States. For parents in Wichita and across Kansas, the question is twofold:
- How can I protect my child before tragedy strikes?
- What legal rights do I have if my child is injured or killed in a school shooting?
At Bull Attorneys, we understand that no legal claim can ever undo such devastation—but families deserve justice, accountability, and financial support for their losses.
1. Proactive Steps to Protect Your Child
While no system is foolproof, parents can take steps to help minimize risks:
- Stay Informed About Safety Protocols: Ask your child's school about their active shooter response plan, lockdown drills, and coordination with law enforcement.
- Teach Situational Awareness: Without instilling fear, teach your child to recognize warning signs and to follow safety instructions immediately during emergencies.
- Mental Health Advocacy: Many shootings are linked to untreated mental health struggles. Advocate for strong counseling programs within your school district.
- Report Threats Promptly: Encourage your child to speak up if they hear threats. Kansas schools are legally required to investigate credible threats.
- Know Emergency Access Points: Familiarize yourself with school entrances, exits, and reunification points for parents during emergencies.
2. When the Unthinkable Happens: Legal Rights for Parents
If your child is injured or killed in a school shooting, Kansas law allows parents to pursue legal action under certain circumstances. Possible claims may include:
Negligence by the School or District
- Failure to provide adequate security.
- Inadequate response planning or training.
- Ignoring known threats or failing to remove a dangerous student.
Negligent Hiring, Training, or Supervision
- If teachers, staff, or security officers were not properly trained to respond to active shooter situations.
Premises Liability
- Schools are required to maintain reasonably safe premises. A known danger (such as a student with violent threats) left unaddressed can create liability.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Kansas
- Parents may recover damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, future income, medical and funeral costs, and in some cases, punitive damages if gross negligence is proven.
3. Federal and State Accountability
- Title IX Claims: If the violence stemmed from harassment, bullying, or gender-based discrimination that the school ignored, parents may have federal claims.
- Section 1983 Civil Rights Lawsuits: If government entities or employees violated constitutional rights (such as failing to protect students despite clear threats), parents may have claims under federal law.
- Kansas Tort Claims Act: While government entities often have immunity, exceptions apply when negligence contributes to foreseeable harm.
4. Why Legal Representation is Critical
School districts and municipalities have teams of attorneys prepared to defend against these lawsuits. Families should never face this battle alone. Bull Attorneys provides:
- Aggressive investigation into the school's safety failures.
- Access to experts in security, law enforcement, and mental health.
- Compassionate representation that prioritizes your family's emotional and financial recovery.
- No fee unless we win—ensuring access to justice for all Kansas families.
👉For more information on serious injury and wrongful death cases, see our Car Accident Practice Area.
5. What Parents Should Do Immediately After a School Shooting
- Seek Emergency Medical Care for your child.
- Document Everything: medical records, communications from the school, witness statements.
- Do Not Sign Anything from the school district or insurance carriers without legal review.
- Contact an Experienced Attorney Immediately. Quick legal action preserves critical evidence.
Final Thoughts
No parent should ever have to fear sending their child to school. But if tragedy strikes, you have rights—and you are not alone.
Bull Attorneys has been fighting for Kansas families for over 40 years. We understand the devastation of wrongful death and catastrophic injuries, and we fight tirelessly to hold schools, districts, and government entities accountable when they fail our children.
📞Call us anytime, 24/7, to discuss your rights. Justice starts with one phone call.
👉Learn more about protecting your family and your rights: Car Accidents – Bull Attorneys.
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