Child Injuries or Day Care Abuse
Many families rely upon daycare centers to provide for their children while the parents work. Texas’s daycare facilities have increased significantly over the past ten years. As an increasing number of moms and dads had to work, the daycare facility fills a necessary need to care for the health and safety of the children for the parents.
The daycare facilities in Texas are covered by licensing standards which set the standard for the minimum level of safe conduct when dealing with children in a daycare facility. These standards must be known by the daycare center and all the daycare employees.
Many daycare centers in Texas are the gold standard for caring for children. Others attempt to cut costs and corners, and daycare accidents occur due to neglect or negligence by many daycare employees.
No matter how much work and family put into researching daycare facilities, there is always a chance of injury when another cares for your child. Additionally, many families are shocked when they learn their child has been abused at a daycare center. Children are very susceptible to injury, given their very nature. Close supervision is required to prevent injury by young children.
The helpless feeling a parent feels when their child gets injured is one we all hate. The feeling can quickly turn to anger when the injury occurs because someone else was not properly supervising your child. When you entrust your child to a daycare center, you expect the daycare center to properly and adequately supervise them and keep them safe.
Signs of Child Injury or Abuse
No parent wants to believe their child was injured or abused in daycare. However, recognizing the signs of potential abuse or injury can help parents take action if needed. Common signs to look for include sudden changes in behavior, physical injuries unrelated to regular activities, fear of certain people or locations, aggressive behavior, changes in sleep habits, speech delays, and extreme shyness or anxiety. If your child displays any of these signs after attending daycare, it is important to investigate further.
Preventing Child Injury or Abuse at Daycare
The most important thing parents can do to prevent injury or abuse at daycare is to ensure they are selecting an accredited facility. Cheaper facilities with fewer staff members and no oversight can be more likely to contribute to abuse or neglect. Additionally, setting up regular check-ins and conversations with your child’s teachers is important in understanding what goes on during the day and ensuring your child is properly cared for. Finally, speaking openly with your child about their feelings and experiences while away from home can help you identify any issues that may arise.
Texas Laws For Day Care Centers
Daycare facilities in Texas must meet certain minimum health and safety standards included in the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) licensing division.
Some of the minimum standards include:
- Making certain that children are supervised at all times
- Making sure employees are properly trained
- Providing adequate supervision of employees
- Setting strict limits on the number of children per caregiver
- Regulating field trips
- Setting basic care requirements
Licensed Day Care Centers in Texas require a center director with onsite responsibility for the operation of the childcare center. The director must ensure the following:
- Compliance with the minimum safety standards
- Training and evaluation of employees and substitutes
- Supervision of employees
Daycare Injury Lawyer: What You Need to Know
If your child has suffered an injury while in the care of a daycare provider, you may need the services of a daycare injury lawyer. Unfortunately, when children are hurt due to another person or entity’s negligence, legal action is often necessary for those responsible to be held accountable and for victims to receive the compensation they deserve. A daycare injury lawyer can help ensure your rights are respected, and your child gets the justice they deserve.
What Does a Daycare Injury Lawyer Do?
A daycare injury lawyer works with parents to file lawsuits related to injuries sustained at daycare centers or other care areas. These lawyers review the facts of the case to determine if any negligent behavior harmed the child. They also ensure that their client’s rights are respected and that any funds from settlements or court judgments pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Lack Of Supervision For Even A Moment Can Lead To Injury To A Child
Most daycare injury lawsuits include allegations of inadequate supervision of the child. The younger the child, the more supervision is required to ensure safety. Children get hurt when teachers get distracted or fail to comply with safety standards.
Some common daycare negligence cases include:
- Falls of Children
- Dropped Children
- Injury from play equipment
- Injury because of interaction with other children
The law in Texas for daycare centers distinguishes between childcare center employees and childcare center caregivers. The main difference is that caregivers require extra scrutiny in preservice training to help protect children and ensure that the caregivers understand the regulations that apply to the daycare center. Despite background checks and the best efforts of daycare supervisors or directors, some caregivers take chances with the children, and when that happens, children get hurt.
There are also instances where a caregiver or employee abuses a child.
When Should I Contact a Daycare Injury Lawyer?
Getting help as soon as possible is important if your child has been injured while in the care of a daycare provider or center. The sooner you contact a daycare injury lawyer, the better your chances of obtaining a successful settlement or verdict. In addition, many states have time limits on filing claims, so it’s important to act quickly to get the compensation your child deserves.
How Can I Find a Reputable Daycare Injury Lawyer?
When choosing a daycare injury lawyer, it’s important to take your time and research before hiring anyone. Start by asking for recommendations from family members or friends who may have used such a lawyer. You can also check online reviews and ratings of lawyers in your area. Read through all the firm’s experience and look into their practice areas to ensure they specialize in daycare injury law.
If your child has been injured while under the care of a daycare provider, it’s important to take quick action. Contacting a Texas daycare injury lawyer can help you get the justice and compensation your family deserves. Research beforehand to find a competent, experienced lawyer to represent you effectively. With the right daycare injury lawyer, you can rest assured that your child’s rights will be protected and their interests will be represented in legal proceedings.
Attorneys for children injured or abused the daycare centers in Texas
Austin personal injury lawyers have represented many families whose children have been injured in daycare center accidents. They are intimately familiar with the daycare regulations that apply to the caregivers and the daycare facility. By handling numerous daycare center accident cases, a personal injury lawyer is uniquely qualified to help your family seek civil justice after the injury to your child. Call one today for a free no, obligation consultation regarding a daycare accident case.