Beaufort County, January 21, 2026
The Beaufort County School District is facing a lawsuit after a student’s fingertip was severed by a classroom door at Lady’s Island Middle School. The student’s mother claims the school staff discarded the amputated fingertip, hindering its reattachment during surgery. This case raises serious concerns about student safety and negligence within the district, as the mother seeks $600,000 in damages.
Beaufort
The Beaufort County School District is facing a new lawsuit following a distressing incident in early 2024 at Lady’s Island Middle School, where a student’s fingertip was reportedly severed by a classroom door. The lawsuit, filed on Friday by the student’s mother, Shameika Freeman, alleges that school employees then mishandled the situation by discarding the “amputated fingertip,” preventing its reattachment during subsequent surgery. Freeman is seeking $600,000 in damages, accusing the district of negligence, including failing to enforce hall pass policies, preserve the severed digit, and maintain a safe environment for students.
Incident at Lady’s Island Middle School
The incident occurred on the morning of January 25, 2024, after Freeman’s daughter was returning to her classroom with a hall pass after using the restroom. As she opened the classroom door, another student, who had reportedly left the classroom without permission, forcefully closed the heavy door. This action resulted in the severing of the tip of the girl’s left-hand ring finger and caused multiple fractures.
According to court documents, the student’s finger was bleeding profusely, and school employees allegedly threw the severed fingertip into a garbage can. This alleged action is a central point of the lawsuit, as it meant the fingertip could not be reattached during surgery later that day.
Allegations of Negligence and Misconduct
The lawsuit details several accusations against the Beaufort County School District, including negligence for not enforcing its hall pass policies, failing to preserve the amputated fingertip, and generally failing to provide a safe environment. The school district’s spokesperson, Candace Bruder, stated that officials cannot comment on pending litigation and that the district had not yet been formally served with the lawsuit as of Tuesday afternoon.
In South Carolina, school districts, as political subdivisions, can be held responsible for the tortious conduct of their officials and employees acting within the scope of their official duties under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act. This Act sets limits on recoverable damages against governmental entities, currently at $300,000 per person and $600,000 per occurrence.
Wider Context of School District Lawsuits
This incident is not an isolated legal challenge for the Beaufort County School District. The district has faced several lawsuits in recent years concerning student safety and employee conduct. For instance, in September, a lawsuit was filed regarding a 7-year-old nonverbal autistic student at Shanklin Elementary School who suffered a serious finger injury after a staff member closed a bathroom door on her hand.
Additionally, a mother filed a lawsuit in January 2023 against the Beaufort County School District alleging negligence after her son was assaulted on a school bus in November 2021. The lawsuit claimed the bus driver failed to intervene, and both the driver and district were negligent in training. There have also been instances of lawsuits involving alleged abuse by teaching aides and disputes over Title IX claims regarding sexual assaults at Bluffton High School.
These cases highlight a broader legal landscape where schools in South Carolina have a special legal duty to ensure student safety, operating “in loco parentis,” meaning “in place of the parent.” This duty requires school officials and teachers to take affirmative measures to prevent harm to children in their care. Parents often sue school districts on behalf of their children for actions or inactions that cause harm or injury. While public school districts generally have sovereign immunity, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act allows for lawsuits against them under specific circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue in the recent lawsuit against the Beaufort County School District?
A lawsuit has been filed against the Beaufort County School District after a student’s fingertip was reportedly severed by a classroom door at Lady’s Island Middle School, and school employees allegedly threw away the amputated fingertip.
When did the incident involving the student’s fingertip occur?
The incident took place on the morning of January 25, 2024.
What specific injuries did the student sustain?
The tip of the girl’s ring finger on her left hand was severed, and she also suffered multiple fractures.
What are the allegations against the school employees?
The lawsuit claims that school employees allegedly threw away the “amputated fingertip,” preventing its reattachment during surgery.
What damages is the lawsuit seeking?
The lawsuit seeks $600,000 in damages.
What is the legal basis for suing a school district in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, public school districts can be sued under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act for the tortious conduct of their officials and employees acting within the scope of their official duties.
Are there limits to the amount of damages that can be recovered from a school district in South Carolina?
Yes, under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, recoveries are currently limited to $300,000 per person and $600,000 per occurrence, regardless of the number of political subdivisions involved.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Defendant | Beaufort County School District | Local |
| Plaintiff | Mother of the injured student, Shameika Freeman | Local |
| Location of Incident | Lady’s Island Middle School, Beaufort County | Local |
| Date of Incident | January 25, 2024 | Local |
| Injury Sustained | Severed fingertip (left-hand ring finger) and multiple fractures | Local |
| Primary Allegation | School employees allegedly discarded the amputated fingertip | Local |
| Damages Sought | $600,000 | Local |
| Legal Framework | South Carolina Tort Claims Act | State-level |
| Damage Caps (State-level) | $300,000 per person, $600,000 per occurrence | State-level |
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Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
