Lawyer For Daycare Negligence

For most parents, the care and safety of their child is one of the most important things in their lives. However, many parents have to work and must leave their children at a daycare center for the day. According to one source, there are nearly 23 million children under 5 in the US, and 71 percent of them are living in households where both parents work. 

Most daycare owners present their centers as clean, safe, and nurturing environments where parents can feel secure leaving their children. Tragically, though, not all daycare facilities provide children with the high level of care that the workers may lead parents to believe. Some daycares are just like other businesses that put profits over people; infants and toddlers have been injured as a result of daycare negligence. 

If you believe your child has been a victim of daycare negligence, the compassionate lawyers at Fielding Law are here to help. You may have the grounds to file a personal injury claim against the negligent daycare provider or someone else who has harmed your child. Call us 24/7 at (877) 880-4090 to schedule a free consultation. 

Signs a Daycare Center Is Negligent

In the US, most mothers only receive a few months of maternity leave from their jobs. This means children are being placed in daycares long before they are able to talk and express themselves. 

Since small children may be unable to express themselves to parents and let them know how they are being treated in daycares, it is up to the parents to be alert to indicators that a daycare facility is negligent. Watch for the following signs of daycare negligence, for instance. 

An insufficient number of daycare staff members

An important step that a daycare can take to provide a safe environment for children is to hire the right staff members. Each state has its own specific guidelines that childcare providers must meet when hiring staff to work at their facilities. 

Many states require that all potential daycare staff undergo complete background checks, and they are not allowed to be left alone with the children until the process is complete. 

Most states also require staff to maintain certain adult-to-child ratios. As an example, in Utah, some of these ratios are as follows:

• 1 staff member minimum for every 8 children 
• 1 staff member for every 3 children under 2 years old
• 1 staff member for every 2 children under 18 months old

The purpose of maintaining these ratios is to ensure that daycare staff can provide adequate supervision to each child at all times. If you consistently notice that these ratios are off, this could be an indication that your child is being neglected. 

You notice hazards on the premises

As a parent, you are likely aware that children can be injured or even killed by swallowing household objects within their reach. 

These hazards may include items such as:

• Laundry detergent
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Paperclips 
• Kitchen knives
• Pushpins
• Nails or screws

If you notice small items on the floor or within your child’s reach, this is an indication that the daycare provider is improperly storing these supplies. 

The property conditions are unsafe

The daycare should have safe conditions for children inside and outside the facility. 

Examples of hazardous property conditions include:

• Rusty or broken playground equipment
• Sharp edges on coffee tables or other furniture
• Open and functional fireplaces
• Slippery floors
• Hot pots or food within children’s reach
• Peeling wall paint
• Uncovered electrical outlets

Daycare providers could be found negligent if a child was harmed because of a dangerous property condition.

Your child shows signs of negligence

As a parent, you know your children best and are in the best position to notice signs of neglect or abuse. 

The following could be signs your child is not being well cared for at daycare:

• Consistent hunger or thirst: If your children regularly want food or water when you pick them up or show signs of malnutrition or dehydration, maybe they are not receiving proper amounts of food and liquid throughout the day.

• Poor hygiene: It is understandable that your children and their clothing may get a little dirty as they play throughout the day. However, if your child is regularly filthy when you pick them up or has excessively wet, dirty, and unchanged diapers, this could be a sign of neglect. 

• Changes in behavior: Abuse and neglect can have a serious effect on a child’s moods and behavior. Nightmares, aggression, clinginess, depression, and regressive behaviors such as thumbsucking can indicate your child is not being treated well by daycare staff. 

What to Do If You Suspect Your Child Is a Victim of Daycare Negligence 

If you suspect your child is a victim of daycare negligence, take action immediately. 

The following are suggestions for what to do if you are concerned about your child’s well-being at a daycare facility:

• Seek medical attention. If your child is hurt physically or emotionally, it is important to seek help from a medical professional. A doctor can provide medical treatment, look for signs of neglect or abuse, and provide you with informative resources.

• Take your child out of daycare. It may be a good idea to take your children out of that daycare facility and remove them from a potentially dangerous situation. If possible, have a close friend or family member care for them until you can investigate the situation at the current daycare or find a new one. 

• Investigate the daycare center. One thing you can do to investigate your child’s daycare is to speak to other parents whose children are at the same facility. Ask them if there are any behavioral changes in their children, injuries, or other signs of negligence.

• Speak to the daycare director. You may choose to speak to the director of the daycare in situations where negligence or abuse is suspected but not clearly evident. This allows you to voice your suspicions and ask questions about the daycare’s policies and procedures. 

• Collect evidence. Carefully document all signs of daycare negligence. Gathering evidence includes taking photos of visible signs of child abuse or neglect, recording dangerous property conditions, saving emails or texts from the daycare to corroborate your claims, and keeping note of any changes in your child’s behavior. 

• Contact a daycare injury lawyer. If your child has been harmed due to a negligent daycare owner or staff member, do not hesitate to contact a daycare injury attorney today. A daycare accident lawyer will have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you protect your child and file a personal injury claim or lawsuit for damages. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Daycare Negligence Lawyer Today

If you believe a daycare provider’s negligence has harmed your child, do not hesitate to contact our law firm today. Our daycare injury lawyers are here to offer support, explain your legal options, and help you pursue compensation for damages. After taking on your case, we can investigate the daycare to see whether they are compliant with all state laws and determine whether there is evidence of negligence. 

The personal injury attorneys at Fielding Law firmly believe that daycare providers should be held liable for their actions. Our law firm accepts all daycare injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You will not pay upfront costs or fees, and we only get paid if your case is successful and you receive compensation. 

Let us guide you through your legal options to recover compensation for your child’s injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation. Call us 24/7 at (877) 880-4090, complete the contact form, or start a live chat.