Springfield, IL - One Student Injured, One Killed in Stabbing Outside Lanphier High School

Stabbing at High School Leaves One Wounded, One Dead

According to U.S. News, a stabbing occurred outside Lanphier High School located at 1300 N 11th St, Springfield, IL 62702. 

On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, two students were stabbed outside the school just after classes let out for the day. Allegedly a fight broke out between three students. One victim was stabbed in the chest and died at the hospital. The second victim was sent to the hospital for treatment for their non-life-threatening wound. 

Is a School Liable for Stabbings on Campus? 

Attorney contributor to the Legal Herald, Brian Kent, represents stabbing victims and their families in civil lawsuits. Brian has provided the following commentary to aid victims in determining if they have grounds to pursue a case after a stabbing on a high school campus. 

"Schools have a legal responsibility to provide safety to their students and staff on their campus. These can include video monitoring cameras, metal detectors, and patrolling security resource officers. If the schools do not implement adequate security measures, they can be considered negligent in a lawsuit following a violent crime or injury."

"An experienced legal team will need to prove that the school and its officials were negligent. If the school had a growing history of violence, it would be responsible for increasing its safety measures on the campus. Failing to do so could land the school liable for crimes occurring on the campus, like stabbings. Additionally, an experienced stabbing victim attorney can request that the school compensate accrued damages."

Sources:

U.S. News