Tampa Daycare Accident Attorney
Sending your child to daycare can be an excellent experience for them. Good daycare centers can help children adapt to social situations, improve their behaviors, and get them ready to transition into school. Every day when you drop your child off at daycare, you are entrusting them with one of the most important people in your life. You expect that your child will be somewhere safe and well taken care of. When there is an accident, you may feel terrified and overwhelmed. Don’t go through the process of filing a claim alone. Let the skilled Tampa daycare accident attorneys at Moore Law help.
Common Types of Daycare Accidents
Even if your child is well-supervised, accidents can happen. Some of the most common daycare accidents that can cause injuries include:
- Lack of child-proofing: Kids are resourceful, which means daycare facilities need to be correctly child-proofed. Accidents can happen if shelves are not adequately secured or are too top-heavy and can tip over. All cleaning supplies should be locked away to prevent chemical burns or poisoning. And hanging cords should be adequately secured so kids can’t pull them down.
- Playground injuries: The playground is an excellent source of exercise, but there is a risk of injury from the equipment if it’s in poor condition or broken. There should be no exposed nails, broken steps, weak structures, slippery surfaces, etc.
- Poorly trained staffed: Properly trained staff is essential, so your children remain safe. Staff needs to have a lot of patience and understand what the risks are when supervising children. Lack of supervision can lead to a wide variety of accidents, including falls, choking, poisoning, etc.
Abuse at Daycare Centers
No one wants to think about their child being abused, but it can happen. Watch for subtle signs and changes in behavior if you suspect there is a problem. Some potential red flags include:
- Unusual mood shifts
- Crying, fighting, or pretending to be sick just to avoid going to daycare
- Unexplained behavioral changes
- Regressive behavior like separation anxiety, clinging, or bedwetting
- Trouble eating or sleeping
- The appearance of wounds or bruises that are unexplained
- Sudden interest in genitalia or sexuality
If you believe your child has been hurt or abused, it’s imperative to schedule a visit with the pediatrician. If there is abuse, you may need to report the incident to the local authorities, childcare licensing agencies, and Child Protective Services.
Claims Involving Minors
Because your child is not of legal age, they cannot bring their own claim for damages. Florida Statutes 744.3024 oversees all claims settlements involving a minor. A parent can settle a claim without approval from the court, provided the gross amount is under $15,000. Anything over $15,000 requires court approval.
Contact a Tampa Daycare Accident Attorney
If your child was involved in a daycare accident or you suspect abuse, you must contact our Tampa daycare accident attorneys right away. Let our skilled legal team review the facts of your case and help protect the rights of your child and family. Contact Moore Law today to schedule an initial consultation.
