If a kid injures my daughter on the school playground, are his parents liable for any medical charges incurred?

A little bully jumped on my daughter today during recess. He did it on purpose, and the teacher who saw it only put him in time-out. I think time-out is bullshit for that sort of behavior.

My daughter has a scrape on her right arm, a contusion on her forehead, and her ear is swollen. Compared to her undamaged ear, it looks like an elephant ear.

Are the boy’s parents liable for doctor’s fees because their son is at fault?

And one more “mad mom” question- why the hell did the school not notify me of the injury? It happened early this morning, and the swelling is very noticeable. Why didn’t I get a phone call or something? That has me just as pissed.

I sent a disgruntled (yet polite) email to both her teacher and the principal.