New York City officials said they weren't sure if Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and Engineering in Harlem had obtained permission slips for a field trip that ended in tragedy, The New York Times reported. A 12-year-old student, Nicole Suriel, drowned off an unpatrolled beach after she was carried out to sea by a rip current.
The deceased girl's father, Juan Suriel, said neither he nor his wife signed a permission slip for the trip. Although the school may be possibly liable for Nicole Suriel's death, it's not clear whether or not grieving dad Juan Suriel has retained the services of a New York personal injury attorney.
He said the school has been tight-lipped about the incident (translated from Spanish):
"The school hasn't explained anything. They called to tell me it happened, but since then nothing."
City regulations require schools to obtain a consent form signed by a parent for each school-sponsored trip. Regulations also stipulate that the consent forms "must identify activities with inherent risks" and require that parents sign off on each specific activity that carries risk.
Long Beach city manager Charles T. Theofan said there are prominently displayed signs at every entrance to the beach prohibiting swimming and indicating that no lifeguards are on duty. Therefore, it appears likely that Long Beach may not be held liable.
Education officials banned swimming during field trips between 2003 and 2005 but lifted the ban after parents said they wanted their kids to be more active. Manhattan borough president Scott M. Stringer cancelled all school trips for the remainder of the year. School chancellor Joel I. Klein said, "No kids should be going to beaches that have no lifeguards or to beaches that are closed."
An investigation is ongoing.
Related Resources:
- Proving Fault: What is Negligence? (FindLaw)
- School Bus Accident In Kings School District Raises Questions (FindLaw's Injured Blog)
- Call a New York Injury Lawyer (FindLaw)
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