Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities - Part 1

Key point 10-11. A church may be legally responsible on the basis of negligent supervision for injuries resulting from a failure to exercise adequate supervision of its programs and activities.

Negligence as a Basis for Liability

* A Louisiana court ruled that a school was legally responsible for the rape of a 12-year-old girl who had been allowed to leave school premises during school hours to return home to change clothing. A 12-year-old 7th grade student ("K.C.") was informed by school officials upon arriving at school one day that her skirt was too short and violated the school dress code. K.C. called home, but no one was available to bring her acceptable clothing. She told the office secretary that in order to obtain acceptable clothing she would have to walk home and change. The secretary instructed her to "sign out," go home, and change. As she walked along the street ...