An Analysis of Legal Liability of Florida Public Educators and School Systems for Negligent Supervision of Students

Abstract

The doctrine of sovereign immunity in Florida has evolved over time as the common law and statutory environment within the state has changed. Public schools and public-school employees enjoy some level of immunity protection under both common law and statutory law. Nonetheless, Florida law creates a duty to provide a safe environment for students and creates potential liability in certain circumstances when a public school or public school employee fails to do so. In this dissertation, I analyzed litigation efforts and protections provided to public schools and public-school educators in Florida under the Florida Tort Claims Act (FTCA) of 1973 for claims of negligent supervision of students. This dissertation provided an in-depth analysis of negligence cases, statutes, protections, and lawsuits brought under common law after the passage of the Florida Tort Claims Act of 1973.