It is one of the most painful surprises in these cases. Many parents assume that because their child is young, there is no rush — that a claim can wait until the child is older. For a claim against a public school, that assumption can quietly cost the family the claim.
A public school is a government entity, and a claim against one generally requires a formal government-claim notice within a short window — often just months of the injury. That is separate from, and much shorter than, the extended time a minor may have to bring other kinds of claims. Missing the government-claim deadline can bar the claim entirely, no matter how strong it is.
Because it is not always obvious whether a school is public and what deadline applies, the safest course is to get advice quickly. A prompt review can confirm whether a public entity is involved, identify the exact deadline, and make sure the required notice is filed correctly and on time.