Parents lose compensation case after daughter’s suicide

A Norwegian court has ruled against the parents of Emely Frantzen, 12, who took her own life in 2023, in their compensation claim against Sola municipality over alleged bullying at school.

The parents, Bengt and Monica Frantzen, argued that prolonged physical and psychological bullying at Dysjaland school led to their daughter’s death. The court acknowledged that Emely did not feel safe at school and that her experiences likely caused her to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, Judge Gisle Danielssen found no direct causal link between the municipality’s handling of the case and her suicide, despite noting that the school’s measures were insufficient.

Professor Marie-Lisbet Amundsen, a special education expert who testified in the case, criticized the ruling, stating that the municipality violated the law by failing to ensure a safe school environment. She pointed to a supervisory report that found the municipality lacked internal controls, a legal requirement to ensure schools have the necessary resources and competence.

“If this is considered in line with ‘good professional standards,’ as suggested in the ruling, then children in Norway are without rights,” Amundsen said.

The parents, who said they fought for their daughter to be heard, expressed mixed feelings about the verdict. “It’s hard to understand that no one can be held responsible,” they told Dagbladet.

Sola municipality’s lawyer, Frode Lauareid, said the municipality was satisfied with the outcome, adding that the school had acknowledged challenges but not denied them.

The parents are considering an appeal.