Corporal Punishment in Florida - What Is Considered Excessive? Florida Law

Posted On: December 27, 2008 by David A. Wolf

http://www.floridachildinjurylawyer.com/2008/12/corporal_punishment_in_florida.html

Corporal punishment is still utilized in several Florida school districts and in Florida day care and child care settings. I personally and professionally do not believe in the use of corporal punishment. Whether there is a resulting injury or not, corporal punishment often times leads or causes emotional injury and unacceptable fear in children. Pursuant to Florida Statute Section 39.01, corporal punishment may be considered excessive if it leads to any of the following child injuries or harm:

Sprains, dislocations, or cartilage damage;

Bone or skull fractures;

Brain or spinal cord damage;

Intracranial hemorrhage or injury to other internal organs;

Asphyxiation, suffocation, or drowning;

Injury resulting from the use of a deadly weapon;

Burns or scalding injuries;

Cuts, lacerations, punctures, or bites related injuries;

Permanent or temporary disfigurement;

Permanent or temporary loss or impairment of a body part or function; or

Significant bruises or welts.

You can read this statute and related definitions at the Official Florida Statutes Web Site.