What attorney to contact for school bus safety and discipline issues in Indiana?

Question

I am concerned about an incident where my 3-year-old child, who has behavioral issues, managed to get out of his harness on the school bus and nearly fell. My child claims the bus driver spanked him, and when we requested to review the bus footage to understand how he reached the front of the bus, we discovered that three cameras on the bus were not functioning. Initially, we were told that only the teacher or principal could view the footage, and now the Director of Transportation is on vacation, further delaying the review process. We were recently informed via email that the footage did not exist, raising concerns about the handling of this situation. What kind of attorney should I contact to investigate and address the safety and disciplinary concerns related to this incident?

Charles Candiano · Answer

Why would you want to pay a $5,000 retainer to hire an attorney to see a video of your child acting badly?  What are your concerns?  If your child has behavioral issues, why is he riding the bus at age 3?  If this is a publicly funded school, it is protected by the Indiana Tort Claims Act. On your facts, your child sustained no injury, so there is no basis for your recovery.  Moreover, if you make an issue of this, the school may well say that "you're right."  Your child's "behavioral issues" cannot be addressed in a traditional setting without posing a serious risk of harm to all passengers of the bus.  Therefore, you may be required to demonstrate that your child has made progress with his/her behavioral issues before your child is permitted to ride, unattended.  Until then, the school could reasonably require that your child be transported on monitored buses that transport children with behavioral issues, for the safety of all concerned.  If no such buses exist, transportation would be your responsibility.

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

You need an education law attorney or personal injury lawyer who focuses on child safety cases in Indiana. These professionals have deep knowledge of school regulations, student rights, and the specific laws governing school transportation and discipline in your state. 
 
For your situation, look for a lawyer with experience in cases involving young children with behavioral needs, particularly those familiar with school district policies and how they apply to preschool-aged children. The issues you've described – potential physical discipline, failure of safety equipment, and missing video evidence – require someone who understands both education and personal injury law frameworks. 
 
Consider contacting the Indiana State Bar Association for referrals to attorneys who handle education law cases, or reach out to local parent advocacy groups for recommendations based on similar experiences. Given the serious nature of your concerns – possible inappropriate discipline of a very young child with behavioral challenges and the troubling issue of non-functioning cameras – you'll want someone who can move quickly to preserve any remaining evidence and advocate effectively for your child's safety and rights.

Q: What attorney to contact for school bus safety and discipline issues in Indiana?