A MARRIED COUPLE CONFRONTING THE FRENCH LYCÉE: JUSTICE, REPARATION, OR PEACE?

Abstract

In February 2017, D., a 12-year-old student at the Liceo Francés A.C. in Mexico City, suffered fractures in both arms after falling onto a stack of gym mats in a facility that was supposed to be closed or supervised. After three hours spent locating his family, and during which he received no additional medical attention at the infirmary, he was transferred to the hospital, where he underwent surgery, he was transferred to a hospital, where he underwent surgery. As a result of the accident, he lost approximately 20% of the mobility in one arm. Five months later, when his parents—Carmen and Íñigo, Spanish nationals residing in Mexico—attempted to re-enroll their two children, the school conditioned the enrollment on signing a letter waiving all liability for the incident. The family was then faced with a critical dilemma: Sign the waiver to ensure the academic and social continuity of their children, thereby avoiding a costly and emotionally draining legal battle in an unfamiliar judicial system; Refuse to sign and initiate legal and reputational action against a powerful institution with diplomatic ties and the capacity to prolong the proceedings.20