Dropping your child off at daycare is understandably nerve-wracking. Parents only want the best for their child, and if they could, many couples would just stay home and solely focus on raising their children. However, the reality is that most parents work to support their children and themselves, so they bring their children to daycare. Parents expect daycares to treat their children with the respect and kindness they deserve. Unfortunately, daycares sometimes do not live up to this standard, and children can be harmed as a result. If your child has been injured or harmed due to a negligent or abusive daycare center, here are some of the questions you may have regarding your legal options going forward:
What are some examples of daycare neglect or abuse?
- Daycare centers must always preserve a clean, safe environment. This means not having broken glass lying around, keeping playgrounds and playground equipment fully functional and safe, and keeping all tables and toys as clean and disinfected as possible.
- Many young children do not yet understand that not everything that smells good, tastes good–or should be ingested at all, for that matter. This means daycares are responsible for keeping cleaning products and other potentially toxic materials out of the children’s reach. Daycare centers are also responsible for watching children while they play with things like play-doh, which may be tempting for a child to ingest.
- Daycare centers are responsible for supervising children at all times, for that matter. Children should never, under any circumstances, be left unattended.
- Any signs of physical abuse or neglect, such as consistent bruises, cuts, or signs of malnourishment should be immediate cause for suspicion. If you suspect your child is being neglected or abused in any way, you must call 911 and hire an experienced attorney who is ready to fight for your child’s rights.
How can I sue a negligent daycare center?
To sue a negligent daycare center, you must first prove that your child was enrolled in the daycare program in question. From here, your attorney will help you prove that the daycare center breached the standard of care and that your child was injured or harmed as a result. To prove your claim, an attorney may use security camera footage of the incident, pictures of the safety hazard or your child’s injuries, police reports, medical documents, and more. If you suspect your child is a victim of daycare negligence, you may contact the Washington DC Child and Family Services Agency by calling 1-202-671-SAFE (1-202-671-7233).
Contact our experienced Washington D.C. firm
The experienced personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys at Trombly & Singer, PLLC are prepared to represent clients facing legal matters after being injured due to another person’s negligence. If you require strong legal representation in Washington D.C. or Maryland, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
