Birmingham Daycare Negligence Attorneys

Was Your Child Injured at Daycare?

At Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law, we understand that entrusting your child to a daycare is a significant decision, and the safety and well-being of your little one are of utmost importance. When daycare facilities or their staff fail to provide the appropriate care and supervision, it can lead to devastating consequences for both the child and the family. As experienced Birmingham, Alabama daycare negligence attorneys, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of parents and their children who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of daycares and daycare workers. Our compassionate and skilled legal team can seek the justice and compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your family's life.

Dial (205) 973-6915 to speak with a Birmingham daycare negligence lawyer today.

What is Daycare Negligence?

Daycare negligence is a form of childcare misconduct where daycare providers or staff fail to meet the standard of care required to ensure the safety and well-being of children under their supervision. While daycare abuse involves intentional harm caused to a child, daycare negligence occurs when harm results from a lack of proper care or oversight, often without malicious intent. Unfortunately, negligence can be just as or more harmful than abuse, depending on the situation.

Daycare negligence can take many forms, such as:

• Inadequate supervision: This occurs when daycare staff fails to provide the necessary level of attention, monitoring, and intervention to prevent accidents or injuries. Examples include leaving children unattended, not having enough staff to maintain appropriate child-to-adult ratios, and failing to address dangerous situations right away.
• Negligent hiring and training: Daycare facilities have a responsibility to hire qualified and trustworthy employees. Negligence in this area can involve hiring staff with inadequate experience, failing to conduct background checks, or not providing proper training and support for employees to fulfill their duties responsibly.
• Unsafe premises: Maintaining a safe and clean environment for children is crucial in preventing accidents or injuries. Daycare negligence can occur when facilities do not adhere to safety standards, such as having poorly maintained playground equipment, hazardous materials within reach, or unsanitary conditions that can lead to illness.
• Failure to follow policies and procedures: Daycare facilities are required to implement and follow specific policies and procedures to ensure the protection and well-being of children. Negligence arises when these guidelines are not followed or enforced, such as neglecting to administer medications correctly, not adhering to dietary restrictions, or failing to report incidents or injuries to parents or guardians.

What is Daycare Abuse?

Daycare abuse is a form of childcare misconduct that involves the intentional infliction of harm, injury, or distress upon a child by daycare providers or staff. Unlike daycare negligence, which results from a lack of proper care or oversight, daycare abuse is characterized by deliberate actions intended to cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to children.

Forms of daycare abuse can include the following and more:

• Physical abuse: This occurs when a daycare worker intentionally inflicts physical harm or injury upon a child. Examples include hitting, slapping, pinching, shaking, or using excessive force during disciplinary actions.
• Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse involves intentional actions that harm a child's mental or emotional well-being. This type of abuse can include belittling, humiliating, isolating, or threatening the child.
• Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse in a daycare setting involves any form of sexual contact, exploitation, or exposure to inappropriate sexual content or behavior involving a child.

Both daycare abuse and negligence are serious issues that can have lasting impacts on a child's life. If you suspect your child has been a victim of either, it's crucial to take immediate action to protect their well-being and hold the responsible parties accountable. Begin by calling the authorities if you think your child is in imminent danger of abuse.

Injuries Caused by Daycare Negligence & Abuse

• Cuts, bruises, and abrasions: These can result from falls, rough handling, or physical altercations between children due to inadequate supervision or unsafe environments.
• Fractures and dislocations: Injuries to bones and joints can occur when children are subjected to excessive force, accidents, or falls in an improperly maintained facility.
• Burns: Inadequate supervision around hot surfaces, liquids, or electrical outlets can lead to burns or other serious injuries.
• Head injuries: Children can sustain head injuries from falls, being shaken, or being struck by objects or other children. These injuries can lead to concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries.
• Choking and suffocation: Negligent supervision or failure to follow proper safety protocols can result in choking hazards, such as small toys or improperly prepared food, or suffocation risks, such as unsecured bedding or unsafe sleeping arrangements.
• Anxiety and depression: Children who experience daycare negligence or abuse may develop anxiety or depressive disorders as they struggle to cope with the distressing events.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Exposure to traumatic experiences, such as physical or sexual abuse, can lead to the development of PTSD, which may cause nightmares, flashbacks, and persistent fear.

Compensation in a Daycare Negligence Claim

In Alabama, if you have a successful daycare negligence claim or lawsuit, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to help cover the damages and losses suffered by your child and family. The specific compensation awarded will depend on the unique circumstances of your case.

Common types of compensation include:

• Medical expenses: Compensation for past, present, and future medical costs related to the injuries suffered due to daycare negligence.
• Pain and suffering: Monetary compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress your child has experienced as a result of the negligence. This compensation takes into account the severity of the injury and the impact it has had on your child's quality of life.
• Emotional distress: Compensation for the psychological trauma and emotional suffering your child has endured due to the negligent actions of the daycare provider or staff.
• Disability and disfigurement: If your child's injuries result in permanent disability or disfigurement, compensation may be awarded to account for the long-term impact on their life and well-being.
• Punitive damages: In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to compensatory damages, especially if the daycare's conduct was particularly egregious or malicious. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and serve as a deterrent to others.

How Our Attorneys Can Help

A Birmingham daycare negligence attorney from our firm can play a crucial role in helping you file and manage a daycare negligence claim. You can leave every part of your claim and the casework up to us, including the important step of gathering evidence.

Evidence that could be useful to prove liability in your daycare negligence claim includes:

• Incident reports or internal documents from the daycare facility.
• Witness statements from other parents, staff, or children.
• Medical records, photographs, and expert testimony to document the extent of your child's injuries.
• Surveillance footage that captures the incident if available.
• Records of any past complaints or violations related to the daycare facility.

We can also handle the processes of preparing and filing the claim, as well as all follow-up procedures. If your case can be settled through negotiations, then we can aim for that goal first. If settlement discussions are not working due to the defendant refusing to accept liability, then we can prepare for courtroom litigation. Either way, you do not have to go through it alone, not when our team is by your side and leading the way.

We’re Always Available – Call Now

At Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law, our dedicated and compassionate Birmingham daycare negligence attorneys are committed to seeking justice for your child and holding negligent daycare providers accountable. If you suspect your child has suffered due to daycare negligence or abuse, or you know that neglect or abuse has already occurred, don't hesitate to contact us for a free, confidential consultation. We can explore your legal options during an initial discussion and decide the best way forward from there.

Trust the team with 250+ years of combined legal experience. Call (205) 973-6915 now.