At a Glance
- Mother files lawsuit claiming school employees discarded severed fingertip.
- Incident occurred at Lady’s Island Middle School on January 25, 2024.
- Plaintiff seeks jury trial and up to $300,000 in damages.
Why it matters: The case highlights potential negligence in school injury response and the legal recourse families may pursue.
A mother has filed a lawsuit against a South Carolina school district alleging that school employees discarded her daughter’s severed fingertip after an injury that occurred during school hours.
The incident took place at Lady’s Island Middle School, part of the Beaufort County School District, on January 25, 2024, when a student allegedly “forcefully closed the heavy door shut” and crushed the girl’s finger.
The lawsuit was filed on January 16, 2024, and names the Beaufort County School District as a defendant.
The complaint states that the door was closed with force, causing the finger to be crushed and severed.
The lawsuit claims that the severed fingertip was subsequently discarded by school employees.
The complaint alleges that employees “did not preserve the amputated fingertip,” preventing possible reattachment during surgery.
It also alleges that another student left the classroom without a hall pass after the plaintiff’s daughter had obtained one to use the bathroom from her teacher.
The lawsuit accuses the district of negligence, gross negligence, carelessness, recklessness, willfulness, and wantonness.
“Defendant BCSD’s negligence, gross negligence, carelessness, recklessness, willfulness, and wantonness caused Minor Plaintiff to sustain serious personal injuries of such a nature as to require to expend monies for hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s care, other medical necessities, suffer great pain, extreme emotional distress, anxiety, grief, and sorrow,” the lawsuit reads.
The district told WSAV that it is unable to comment on pending litigation.
No further statements were provided by the district in response to the lawsuit.
The mother is seeking a jury trial as part of the lawsuit.
She is requesting up to $300,000 in damages.
The filing date precedes the alleged incident date, according to the lawsuit’s timeline.
The lawsuit frames the incident as a failure of school staff to act appropriately during a medical emergency.
The case will proceed through the South Carolina court system where the plaintiff will present evidence and witnesses.
Should the plaintiff prevail, the outcome could affect how schools handle similar injuries in the future.
Shameika Freeman has expressed that her daughter suffered serious injury and emotional distress.
The lawsuit has been filed by Freeman’s attorney, though the attorney’s name has not been disclosed.
The district has not released details about its legal representation for the case.
Possible outcomes include a monetary settlement, a jury verdict, or dismissal of the case.
Community members have begun to discuss the incident on social media and local forums.
The case raises concerns about door safety and emergency response protocols in middle schools.
School district policies may be reviewed to prevent future incidents.
Both parties are preparing for pretrial motions and discovery.
The lawsuit alleges negligence, claims a severed fingertip was discarded, and seeks significant damages.
The outcome will be closely watched by parents and school administrators alike.
District policies outline procedures for handling injuries, but the lawsuit suggests these were not followed.
Previous cases have held schools liable for failing to preserve severed body parts.
Amputated fingertips can sometimes be reattached if preserved correctly, which may reduce long-term disability.
Proper preservation could have allowed surgeons to attempt reattachment, potentially restoring function.
Delays in surgery can diminish the chance of successful reattachment, according to medical guidelines.
Hospitalization, surgeries, and ongoing care can be expensive, contributing to the plaintiff’s claim for damages.
The lawsuit lists extreme emotional distress, anxiety, grief, and sorrow as part of the injury’s impact.
The case has been entered into the Beaufort County court docket under the plaintiff’s name.
The complaint was filed electronically through the county’s legal filing system.
Statements from teachers, students, and staff will be collected during discovery.
Physical evidence, such as medical records and photographs of the injury, will support the plaintiff’s claims.
Potential witnesses include the teacher who issued the hall pass and the student who allegedly closed the door.
Local news outlets have reported on the lawsuit, bringing wider attention to the incident.
Parents have expressed support for the mother’s pursuit of justice.
The school board may review the incident after the lawsuit’s resolution.
Settlement negotiations could occur before trial, depending on the strength of evidence.
The lawsuit underscores the importance of prompt medical response and proper injury documentation in schools.
