What to do if Your Child is Injured at Daycare

A Matter of Trust

Every parent has experienced that feeling of worry when dropping their child off for their first day of preschool or daycare. We are entrusting the well-being of our children to the staff of a facility that is supposed to keep them safe. Most of the time our trust is well-placed. Nevertheless, our children are sometimes injured while at daycare. These injuries usually consist of minor bumps and scrapes, nothing that can’t be attributed to “child’s play.” Unfortunately, sometimes these injuries are serious, life-altering – and preventable.

What to do if Your Child is Injured

The most immediate concern when your child is injured is his or her safety. Getting your child medical attention is a priority, especially in the case of a head injury, where he or she may be suffering from a concussion. Make sure that all the proper diagnostic testing is performed, as symptoms may not be immediately apparent.

Do I have a Legal Claim?

Once your child has been evaluated and treated by medical professionals, the next step is to determine whether the facility or their staff was at fault. This is the best time to speak with an experienced Naperville personal injury lawyer who understands the law and can help decide if you have a legitimate claim. The basis for a personal injury claim on the behalf of your child will involve either “intentional acts” or “negligence,” or both.

Negligence is a party’s failure to act or do something when it should be done or doing something when they shouldn’t have done it. Some common acts of negligence include improperly maintained equipment, inadequate supervision, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, and injury from toxic substances. These are just a few examples of negligent behavior. Your attorney will be able to analyze the circumstances of your child’s injury and the likelihood of success for any claim.

Intentional acts differ from negligence in that they are not unintentional or accidental, but rather caused by willful, intentional, and/or malicious acts by the facility’s employees. These injuries include false imprisonment, sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Again, this is a partial list of intentional wrongdoing. An injury to a child may involve any number of these, or a combination of intentional and negligent acts.

Shea Law Group

If your child has been injured while attending daycare, we recommend you make an appointment to discuss your options with a compassionate and knowledgeable Naperville personal injury lawyer from Shea Law Group. We have handled countless personal injury cases involving daycare facilities, and we are here to help you.