Where would our nation’s children and schools be without their teachers? Few careers are more important for encouraging a bright and better future than teaching, and yet few workers are taken for granted as much as our educators.

That’s part of the reason why teachers have so many legal rights to protect their jobs, ideas, and practices from undue interference. Here are some of the areas where having an education attorney might be useful when it comes to protecting and serving teachers’ rights.

Academic Freedom: In many ways, public school teachers often have to work with the material and curriculum they’re given. But within that, they also reserve the right to teach materials or promote discussions without any undue restrictions.

Freedom of Speech: Academic freedom also aligns closely with First Amendment rights to freedom of speech for all Americans. Though public school teachers are not supposed to promote any political, religious, or personal agenda in their lessons, they can freely speak up about important issues of the day — so long as it doesn’t interfere with curriculum or job duties. Generally, university professors have much more academic freedom — in theory.

Tenure and Dismissal: Unlike many jobs where employees can be fired at will, most states give tenure security to public school teachers. This means that the school must show just cause in the event of a termination or dismissal. If not, a teacher may file for a wrongful termination case on any of some 20-plus different legal bases. Between 50% to 70% of wrongful dismissal cases are won by the former employee.

Right to Organize: Teachers unions are some of the strongest and largest in the country, and with good reason. Teachers reserve the right to freely associate with labor unions and professional organizations in order to better negotiate with school boards and advocate for their terms of contract.

Unfortunately, teachers may routinely experience situations where their rights are being undermined, challenged, or outright violated. If you have a case of discrimination in the workplace, wrongful termination, union-breaking, or have had your freedoms of speech infringed upon, it may be time to talk with an education attorney about your legal rights and options.

Call our experienced team of Lexington attorneys at Golden Law Office to help you get started on the path to justice.

We trust our school systems to provide our children with quality education, fair opportunities, and safe spaces for learning. But what happens when the system falls short?

School law attorneys can help you and your family when your child suffers mistreatment or injustice while at school. Although civil lawsuits are said to cost the U.S. economy $239 billion every year, in many cases those costs ensure that the rights of citizens everywhere remain well protected. Here are some of the most important times to consult a legal professional when it comes to your child’s education.

Discrimination

All children in the United States have the right to an education, no matter their race, gender, religion, or country of origin. If you are experiencing issues of discrimination from a school, you should contact a school law attorney to help you take the necessary actions to make the situation right.

Abuse

Physical, mental, or emotional abuse against a child is unthinkable for many, but it does unfortunately happen, sometimes even from teachers. Any use of corporal punishment, restrictions on freedom of speech, or cruel and unusual punishments should be dealt with immediately. Call the police if you suspect immediate danger, but consider hiring an education lawyer to help hold those responsible accountable.

Special Education and Disability

The Disabilities Education Act is a federal law that requires schools in all states to provide necessary accommodations for students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, or other special needs care. Failure to address those needs could face serious consequences.

Standards of Education

While many people have their own opinions about the school standards and regulations from state to state, there are good reasons to have them in place. They help ensure that our schools adequately deliver the education our children need to learn, grow, and become citizens of the world. Denying a child the right to quality education is simply unacceptable.

Nearly everyone understands that there are few things more important in the life of a child than a proper education. If you feel that your family’s rights have been compromised, you may want to seek legal counsel with a professional school law attorney to learn what you can do. Not only will you be protecting your own children, but the children of the future as well.

Rest assured, there’s nothing “mild” about a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), except by comparison. Around 1.7 million people every year will sustain some sort of traumatic brain injury, which will result in more than 1.36 million emergency room visits, 275,000 hospitalizations, and 52,000 deaths.

Anyone who suffers a head injury should seek help from a medical professional and, when necessary, a brain injury lawyer. But at the same time, knowing the signs and symptoms of MTBI can help you recognize the issue more quickly and ensure you get the treatment and recovery you need.

Brain injuries are unlike other physical injuries in that you can’t always see them, even if they’re there. MTBI may cause changes in memory or thinking habits that may alter a person’s life, despite looking the same on the outside. They usually occur as a result of trauma to the head: slips, fall accidents, or vehicle collisions that jostle the brain out of its normal functioning.

The initial onset of MBTI may resemble a concussion, with possible disorientation, temporary amnesia, or loss of consciousness. But the symptoms that remain after the initial injuries have been treated are what you need to look out for most of all.

Early-onset symptoms of MTBI include chronic dizziness or vertigo, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Later symptoms may manifest as an intolerance toward loud noises or bright lights, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, and irritability or depression. Remember that even though these symptoms may not appear for weeks or months after the initial accident, they may still be directly related to the brain trauma suffered as a result of it. And because many other injuries and illnesses can cause similar symptoms, it’s important to seek medical treatment for an official diagnosis.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is experiencing MTBI after an injury or accident, seek professional help from a medical specialist and a brain injury lawyer. The recovery process can be long and difficult. Many patients require extended time off from work, therapy treatments, and at-home care, which means that getting the compensation you deserve from your accident is vital to help cover your costs and ease your transition.

Luckily, in most cases a mild traumatic brain injury isn’t a life sentence. Many people are able to make full recoveries, given the right tools, resources, and time.