West Virginia School Abuse Attorney

Student Abuse Lawyers Serving West Virginia

A child should never be mistreated or abused, especially by those individuals entrusted to care for them at school. Parents should never have to worry about their child’s safety and well-being at school.  When those terrible things happen, you can trust that The Moore Law Firm will passionately and vigorously fight to hold perpetrators of abuse accountable. 

A substantial part of Attorney Jared T. Moore’s practice is devoted to representing students, particularly special needs students, who have been abused and mistreated at school. Jared has represented many students and their families over the years in a variety of abuse, harassment, bullying, and mistreatment cases.  Some of those cases include:

• The abuse of special needs students at North Elementary School
• The unlawful restraint of a specials needs student in Taylor County
• A student struck in the head by a teacher
• A special needs student verbally harassed and physically mistreated on a school bus
• A terrible epithet directed toward a middle school student

Jared’s extensive experience in criminal law provides him with a very unique perspective in prosecuting student abuse cases in civil court.  He is easily able to work with law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office to ensure that justice is fully served on those who abuse children.   

There are a number of laws in the State of West Virginia that are designed to protect children and ensure their safety while in a school setting. For example, state law strictly prohibits corporal punishment, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. This applies in the classroom, on school premises, on the bus, and at any school-sponsored activity of event. It applies equally to students and staff.  

Extra Protections for Students with Special Needs

Our lawmakers have recognized that special needs students are more vulnerable and in greater need of protection than general education students. Based upon their greater vulnerability, there is a higher risk of harm, particularly when the student is non-verbal. 

Now, cameras are required to be placed in all specials needs classrooms across the Mountain State.  The cameras must be capable of recording both audio and video, and they must record all areas of the classroom, except the restroom and areas where students change their clothes. 

In certain circumstances, a parent can request to view the footage from a special needs classroom.  This can occur, for example, when there has been an incident of abuse or mistreatment, and it has been reported to the school. 

In 2022, the West Virginia Legislature passed the Special Protections for Disabled Children Act of 2022, codified at W. Va. Code § 61-8F-1, et seq., which makes the following acts a crime:

• maltreatment of disabled child
• battery of disabled child
• assault of a disabled child
• failure to report suspected maltreatment, assault, or battery of a disabled child

Given the complexity of student abuse cases, it best to contact an experienced student abuse attorney if you suspect that your child has been mistreated or abused at school.  The Moore Law Firm is one of the few law firms in West Virginia that routinely handles student abuse cases.