False abuse report sent to social services

[Aconcernedparen]

My daughter is a young public school elementary teacher in Maryland. A parent filed a false report against her to social services claiming she grabbed a student's arm. Social services found that the claim had no merit at all. I suggested to my daughter when this first occurred to get a lawyer to make sure she was treated fairly by Social Services and her rights were protected. She paid a lawyer $500 and he attended one meeting with SS. It is apparent to me and my daughter that the child involved was instructed by the parent to make these accusations as a way to get her kid moved to another class. Which the parent was able to achieve. My daughter has a letter from Social Services saying that the claim was not substantiated.

My question is: Is it worthwhile for my daughter to take the parent to small claims court to try to recover the $500 lawyer fee. My daughter does not make much money as a teacher and was extremely upset over the whole ordeal. Please advise.

Thank You.

 

[mightymoose]

No, you won't be able to recover the lawyer cost.
The majority of reports made to social services are unfounded (not to say that the person reporting doesn't truly believe there is a problem) and really don't require a legal defense. The social services worker is simply investigating the report. If she really needs legal help she will know.
Get used to it... it probably won't be the last time it happens. If her conscience is clear she really has nothing to worry about.

 

[jharris352]

Just be glad that social services got it right. Did you see the teacher in Georgia? I think I'll do a post on it.