Legislatures Place Educators at Risk by Discontinuing Liability Insurance

Professional Educators Network, also known as PEN, has stated that the Florida Legislature has placed educators returning to work in a difficult situation. With the rising number of law suits filed against schools and educators themselves, the loss of liability insurance provided by the state for educators has dealt the teachers a blow to their security in the classroom.

PEN serves as a advocate for educators. It voiced concerns today that with the growing liability to educators that they liability insurance the state has done away with the teachers especially those who deal with children will be vulnerable to lawsuits, which have been on the rise over the last few years. With children especially taunting teachers that their parents can sue them whenever the educator does something they do not like, it is imperative that the educators have a way to protect themselves.

PEN also reports that organizations such as unions offer liability coverage, however a recent judgment in Tennessee for 1.5 million dollars shows that the union insurance, which is only one million dollars, is not sufficient to protect the teachers from these kinds of liabilities. PEN with annual fee's of $150 liability insurance that is included with its membership is 2 million dollars. Liability insurance is needed to protect educators from monetary suits and the cost of defending the actions.

Pen's General Counsel Bob Boyd said, "It's important that educators protect their careers, just as they would for their health, homes, and vehicles." Educators dedicated to the academic and personal growth of all its students should not have to deal with the worries of loosing their career because they are trying to do their job. Mr. Boyd also urges all educators to make sure that they have liability insurance that is sufficient to cover the rising costs of lawsuits.