Daycares are supposed to be safe places for children. Unfortunately, daycare accidents can happen, and sometimes children get injured while in the care of their daycare providers. If your child has been injured at daycare, it’s natural to feel angry, upset, confused or helpless.
You have legal options if your child is injured at a daycare. There are steps you can take to ensure your child gets the care and attention they need, and to hold the daycare accountable for any negligence or wrongdoing that led to the injury.
Get Medical Attention
The first and most important step after any injury is to seek medical attention for your child. If the injury is severe or life-threatening, call 911 immediately. For minor injuries, take your child to the nearest urgent care center or emergency room.
Even if your child appears to be okay, get them checked by a medical professional. Some child injuries, such as concussions, may not show symptoms right away, but can cause long-term damage if left untreated.
Document the Injury and Its Cause
Once your child has received medical attention, it’s important to document the injury and its cause. Take photos of any visible injuries, such as bruises or cuts, and keep a record of any medical treatments your child receives. “Any documentation you can gather at the scene where the injury occurred can be critical to your claim,” note child injury specialists at Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers, “If there were any witnesses, ask for their contact information and if they will make a recorded statement of what they saw.”
If necessary, contact the police. Request a copy of the daycare’s incident report and any other documentation, such as a police report, related to the incident.
Contact a Legal Professional
If your child has been injured at daycare or at school, it’s important to contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases. An attorney can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that your child’s rights are protected. They can also help you determine whether you have a case against the daycare provider or facility, and what compensation you may be able to recover for your child.
Notify the Daycare
Once you have taken care of your child’s medical needs and consulted with an attorney, notify the daycare of the injury. Contact the daycare director or owner and inform them of what happened. Provide them with any documentation you have, such as medical records or witness statements.
File a Formal Complaint
After you have notified the daycare of the injury, file a formal complaint to the licensing board or regulatory agency. Ask for updates on any investigations they are conducting into the incident and what steps they are taking to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Consider Your Options
Depending on the severity of your child’s injury and the actions of the daycare provider or facility, you may have several legal options available to you. These may include filing a personal injury lawsuit against the daycare, filing a complaint with a licensing board or regulatory agency, or pursuing arbitration or mediation. An attorney can help you understand the pros and cons of each option and guide you through the process.
If your child has been injured at daycare, it’s important to take action to ensure that they get the care and attention they need, and to hold the daycare accountable for any negligence or wrongdoing. By following these steps, you can help ensure that your child’s rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve.
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