Anak naaksidente sa school

Nag-aaral ang anak kong si Tammy, 4-years old, sa isang pre-school. Isang araw, nakatanggap ako ng tawag mula sa administrator ng school na naaksidente raw ang anak ko. Tumama ang ulo sa cemented portion ng floor nila nang gumamit ng slide. Nang makaharap ko ang administrator ng school pinagsabihan ko. Sinira nila ang tiwala ko dahil sa kapahamakang natamo ng aking anak. Dapat ay tinututukang mabuti ng mga teachers ang mga bata upang maiwasan ang ganitong uri ng aksidente. Para saan pa at nagbabayad kami ng mahal na tuition kung hindi naman pala safe ang environment ng school nila?

May pananagutan ba ang school sa pinsalang tinamo ni Tammy? –NANCY ALFARO, Quezon City

Merong pananagutan ang pre-school sa aksidenteng nangyari sa inyong anak dahil ang proximate cause nito ay ang kapabayaan ng mga namamahala ng pre-school. Afterall, kaya natin ipinapasok ang mga anak natin sa isang paaralan ay dahil tiwala tayo sa pangako ng administrators nito na aalagaan at babantayan nila ang ating mga anak habang nanduon sila.

Ayon sa Art. 2180: The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only for one’s own acts or omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one is responsible. The father and, in case of his death or incapacity, the mother, are responsible for the damages caused by the minor children who live in their company. Guardians are liable for damages caused by the minors or incapacitated persons who are under their authority and live in their company.

The State is responsible in like manner when it acts through a special agent; but not when the damage has been caused by the official to whom the task done properly pertains, in which case what is provided in Article 2176 shall be applicable. Lastly, teachers or heads of establishments of arts and trades shall be liable for damages caused by their pupils and students or apprentices, so long as they remain in their custody. The responsibility treated of in this article shall cease when the persons herein mentioned prove that they observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent damage.

Maari n’yong obligahin ang pre-school na sagutin ang hospital expenses ni Tammy as part of actual damages (Art. 2202-New Civil Code). Bukod pa dyan, maari n’yo ring pagbayarin ang pre-school ng moral damages to compensate for you and your child’s mental anguish and the anxiety that you felt as a result of the accident (Art. 2219- New Civil Code).

Maaari ka ring magsampa ng kaukulang demanda sa Korte laban sa pre-school upang pagbayarin sila ng danyos perwisyos kung ayaw nila sagutin ang obligasyon nila. Maari mo rin isuplong sa Department of Education ang pre-school na ito upang mapanagutan nila ang kanilang administrative liabilities.