Odle Successfully Sues School, Over $5000 to be Paid to Parents

By Admin. Updated 8:55 a.m., Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

A significant ruling was made on September 23 in a case involving a preschool and an injury sustained by a child, Leah Ballantyne, while under its care. The ruling reinforced the importance of a preschool’s duty of care to its students and the application of vicarious liability.

The successful case, filed by Attorney-at-law Adrian Odle, whom represented the Plaintiff,  Nashida Ballantyne on behalf of her daughter, Leah, focused on an incident where the child sustained superficial abrasions while attending Tiny Treasures Preschool.

The preschool was represented by a team of attorneys, attorneys-at-law Maxron Holder of Frederick Attorneys & Notary Public and Richie Maitland, a senior attorney, formerly of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP’s) Office. Attorney-at-law Vynette Frederick was also present at the bar table, although she did not directly participate in the trial.

The injuries, though not permanent, were significant enough to warrant medical attention, as detailed in a report from Riverside Clinic. The injuries covered areas from the facial region to the cervical and post-articular regions, and the child’s mother contended that the preschool failed in its duty of care.

In court, Counsel Adrian Odle established that the preschool had exclusive care and control over Leah during the time of the incident while the preschool’s defense team failed to convince the court otherwise. There was no clear evidence presented to suggest that the preschool exercised reasonable supervision. This lack of clear oversight raised questions regarding the school’s responsibility.

Counsel Adrian Odle successfully argued that the regular laws of vicarious liability applied, as the preschool was accountable for the actions of its staff while under their supervision. The magistrate agreed, emphasizing that a duty of care was owed to Leah as a student and that reasonable care should have been taken to prevent harm.

The court ruled in favor of Nashida Ballantyne, awarding her around $5,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars in damages. The damages were seen as appropriate given that the injuries were not permanent and could be remedied.

The case highlighted the importance of schools and educational institutions taking their duty of care seriously, particularly when it comes to the safety and well-being of young children entrusted to their care.

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