We entrust our children with the care of child care providers, believing that they are capable of taking care of our kids and ensuring their safety. Unfortunately, child care negligence is all too common, leaving children hurt and parents feeling helpless. From physical abuse to neglect, this blog post will explore what child care negligence is and how parents can protect their little ones from harm.
What is Child Care Negligence?
Child care negligence occurs when a childcare provider fails to provide the appropriate level of supervision or fails to take proper precautions to ensure that a child’s safety is not compromised. This can include anything from:
- Inadequate staffing
- Insufficient training
- Failing to provide medical attention when needed
- Physical abuse
- Deprivational abuse
- Neglect
These situations can often lead to severe injury or even death for the vulnerable children involved.
Statistics on Child Care Negligence
A report by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services found that 2,013 childcare facilities abused or neglected children in 2020. Children ages 3 and under are the most vulnerable population to abuse and neglect, while babies 1 year old and younger are the most likely to die as a result. These numbers are deeply concerning and demonstrate the need for better oversight when it comes to providing quality child care services.
What Can Parents Do?
Parents need to understand the signs of child care negligence so that they can take action if they suspect something might be wrong at their child’s daycare facility. Some signs that may indicate negligence include:
- Frequent injuries
- Unexplained bruises or marks on your child’s body
- Improper nutrition or hygiene practices
- You notice a lack of staff supervision at the facility
- Your child may tell you of excessive discipline techniques such as spanking or corporal punishment happening
If parents suspect their child has been the victim of daycare negligence, they should take action immediately. First and foremost, they should document the incident using photographs, videos or any other form of evidence. Secondly, they should contact the appropriate authorities, such as local law enforcement or child protective services, to report the issue. You may further be entitled to financial compensation with the help of a child injury attorney for the damages both you and your child sustained.
New York City Child Injury Attorneys
Child care negligence is a serious issue that affects thousands of families every year. It’s essential for parents to understand the signs so that they can take action if necessary in order to protect their children from harm. By being informed about this issue and understanding how best to respond in these instances, parents can help create safer environments where their children can learn and grow without fear of neglect or abuse from daycare providers. If you ever suspect your child has been subjected to neglect at a daycare facility, do not hesitate to reach out to Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP on how best you should proceed in seeking justice for your family’s situation.
If your child was injured due to the negligence of a child care facility, call us today at (212) 732-2929 or fill out our form online for a free consultation.