How Two Martial Arts Schools Got Sued For Over $1 Million
Could This Be the Accidental Death of Your School?
Imagine teaching a routine class without any risky drills. Suddenly, a seemingly healthy teenager collapses and loses consciousness.
You call 911, but by the time they arrive—11 minutes later, the national average response time—the student dies on the way to the hospital.
What did you do during those 11 minutes?
Did you comfort the student’s family? Check the student’s pulse? Perform CPR? Call your insurance company!
A better question is, “What could you do?” While you’re not legally required to perform CPR, having training could make a difference. What if you weren’t there? What could your assistant instructor do?
Even if you did nothing to cause the collapse, your liability hinges on your response. Personal injury attorneys will scrutinize your actions—or lack thereof. No family or lawyer believes in “accidental death” without exploring every possible angle for negligence.
Without proper insurance to cover your defense, this situation could lead to the “accidental death” of your school.
If the lawsuit argues that you failed to mitigate the damage, your CPR training and MATA Certification could play a crucial role in defending your actions.
True Stories of Legal Consequences
1. The Krav Maga School
A school teaching a Krav Maga-like class faced a $1-million lawsuit after a teenage student collapsed and died. The school was held liable for not having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site.
Despite their efforts, the lack of an AED was seen as a significant oversight.
2. The Kickstart Incident
In Texas, Kickstart was teaching at a public middle school when a 12-year-old student collapsed. Although the school had an AED, the school nurse did not use it, and the boy died of cardiac arrest.
Since the school nurse was protected from lawsuits, the family sued Kickstart and won.
Are you required to have an AED in your state?
Beyond having an AED, it’s crucial to ensure your staff is trained to use it effectively.
Steps to Protect Your School
- Get Insurance: Secure comprehensive insurance for your school.
- Get CPR Training: Ensure you and your staff are CPR certified.
- Get MATA Certified: Benefit from free MATA Certification through Sports Fitness Insurance Corp (SFIC).
- Check AED Requirements: Research if your state mandates AEDs in facilities.
For further information on AED state laws, visit these resources: