Indianapolis Daycare Injury Lawyer

When we drop our children off at daycare, we trust they will learn new skills, interact with peers, and have fun. Above all, we expect them to be protected from harm. We put our ultimate trust in the people who watch our children while we are at work.

Far too often, that trust is broken when children suffer injuries while at daycare. These incidents are devastating to children and parents alike. Watching children suffer through injury is one of the most harrowing experiences a parent can go through, which is compounded by feelings of betrayal, anger, and guilt when those injuries occur in a daycare setting.

As the leading Indianapolis injury lawyer, Vaughn A. Wamsley is here to support families when children suffer a daycare-related injury. We hold negligent parties accountable for upholding the law while bringing you and your family the justice and compensation you deserve.

Understanding The Severity of Daycare Injuries

Children in daycare are still developing the skills needed to safely navigate the world, including play, eating, toileting, and other general living skills. Due to their age, children require vigilant adult supervision. Injuries occur when daycare facilities willfully or negligently create conditions that endanger children and leave the center liable for damages suffered.

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While not all daycare accidents and injuries can be prevented, daycare centers are legally obligated to maintain a safe environment, supervise children appropriately, and follow state and federal regulations to protect your children.

Serious daycare injuries occur at a troubling rate. More than 200,000 children under the age of five visit emergency rooms every year due to injuries suffered in a daycare setting, according to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Additionally, a 2022 report issued by Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (IFSSA) found numerous violations by daycare facilities, ranging from inadequate supervision to failure to meet safety standards.

We recognize the challenges daycares face in keeping all children safe while in their care. We can also quickly identify when daycare facilities negligently cause injuries. Thus, we play a vital role in promoting daycare safety by holding negligent centers and personnel accountable.

Common Daycare Injuries

Daycare injuries vary in severity, ranging from minor bruises and scrapes to life-altering accidents. Some incidents are unavoidable due to the nature of children and the fact that they are still learning to be safe. However, many injuries, particularly ones that cause great bodily harm, are preventable.

As the most trusted Indianapolis daycare injury lawyer, we have successfully represented numerous families who have experienced the heartbreak of a daycare center injury. We understand that most serious injuries could have been prevented had the center taken appropriate action.

Some common daycare injuries we have seen include:

• Falls: Children may fall from playground equipment or other elevated areas
• Choking: Children may choke on small objects or food while developing their eating skills.
• Burns: If children have access to unsafe areas or products, they may suffer burns from hot surfaces, liquids, or improperly stored cleaning supplies.
• Drowning: Adults need to be extremely watchful when children are in or near water to prevent drowning or near-drowning incidents.
• Injuries Caused by Other Children: Children still learning how to play safely may injure other children if they are not adequately supervised.
• Physical Abuse or Neglect: In some cases, a caregiver may deliberately or carelessly inflict harm to a child through physical abuse or neglecting the child.

As Indianapolis’s leading daycare injury attorney, Vaughn A. Wamsley helps families navigate their legal options when children suffer injuries while at a daycare center. We are driven by the desire to achieve results and fair compensation for our clients.

Indiana Daycare Laws and Regulations

Indiana imposes strict regulations on daycare centers to protect children’s well-being. Licensed facilities must comply with guidelines set by the IFSSA. The regulations include staff-to-child ratios, mandatory background checks for employees, and safety protocols for the center’s physical environment.

Important IFSSA regulations include:

• Staff-to-Child Ratios: Indiana requires a ratio of one caregiver for every four infants and one caregiver for every five toddlers. These ratios are designed to ensure proper supervision and prevent injuries.
• Employee Training: Staff must be trained and certified in first aid, CPR, and child safety procedures.
• Facility Safety: The facility must follow guidelines for cleanliness, store hazardous materials in a safe and secure area, and maintain equipment regularly.

As Indianapolis’s leading daycare injury attorney, we have the knowledge team and resources to investigate daycare injuries to determine how they occurred thoroughly. We hold centers accountable for violations of state and federal regulations while helping victims receive the compensation they deserve for their suffering.

Compensation Available for Daycare Injuries

We understand that no amount of money can undo the physical and emotional damage resulting from an injury that occurs at a daycare. However, we know you deserve compensation that addresses both the immediate and long-term impact your child’s injury has on your family.

Compensation you may be entitled to can include:

• Medical Expenses: To cover the costs of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatment.
• Pain and Suffering: To compensate for your child’s physical pain and emotional distress
• Future Care Needs: If your child’s injuries result in long-term disabilities, we seek compensation for future medical care and accommodations
• Lost Wages: To reimburse wage-earners in your family for any income lost while caring for your injured child
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may be awarded to deter similar conduct

As your trusted daycare injury lawyer, we help you navigate your legal options to achieve the justice and compensation you need to move forward after such a devastating event. We are driven by the desire to achieve results that compensate your family for their suffering while holding negligent centers accountable.

What Should I Do If My Child is Injured at Daycare?

If your child has been injured at daycare, acting quickly for their well-being and protecting their legal rights is essential. Be sure to:

1. Get Medical Attention: Prompt medical attention will ensure your child gets the treatment they need to recover fully. Medical professionals will also document your child’s condition, a vital step in your legal case.
2. Document Everything: Take photos of your child’s injuries, the scene of the incident, and any relevant daycare conditions. Keep copies of medical records and daycare communication.
3. Report the Incident: Notify the daycare facility and request a written incident report. You can also file a complaint with the IFSSA.
4. Contact a Daycare Injury Lawyer: An Indianapolis daycare injury lawyer can provide valuable guidance regarding your legal options.

The aftermath of a daycare injury can feel overwhelming. We are here to help you navigate the legal challenges so that you can achieve justice and secure fair compensation for your child’s suffering.

How We Handle Daycare Injury Cases

Our experienced team plays a vital role in promoting daycare safety by holding negligent centers accountable for creating conditions that allow injuries to occur. We seek to improve daycare centers and achieve justice for families who have suffered by building strong cases for our clients.

Our comprehensive approach includes:

1. Thorough Investigation: Our dedicated team works tirelessly, gathering evidence such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and daycare records. Our investigative efforts allow us to identify violations violations of daycare laws.
2. Consulting Experts: We work with child safety and medical experts to evaluate your child’s injuries and determine how they occurred. These professionals help determine whether the daycare acted negligently.
3. Negotiating with Insurers: We are experienced in dealing with the strategies of insurance companies that frequently try to lowball payouts. We firmly negotiate to ensure you receive fair compensation through a settlement that appropriately compensates your family for all the damages it suffered.
4. Litigation, When Necessary: If negotiations fail to produce an acceptable settlement, we will be fully prepared to take your claim to court to advocate for your child’s rights. We have an outstanding track record of achieving favorable judgments for our clients through ligitation.

Knowing there is an experienced daycare injury lawyer near me provides peace of mind during the challenging experience of a child suffering an injury at daycare. Our compassionate and dedicated team will fiercely advocate for your child’s behalf to help ensure the outcomes you seek.

What Makes Us the Top Indianapolis Daycare Injury Lawyer?

Daycare injuries are some of the most devastating scenarios that families face. In addition to your child’s physical pain and suffering, parents are rightfully concerned with their child’s emotional well-being. Parents seek to comfort their children while grappling with their own emotional and financial burdens brought about by the daycare incident.

At Vaughn A. Wamsley, families find a compassionate advocate who provides personalized attention to each client. We take the time to get to know our clients and their families to understand how their daycare experience has impacted them fully.

Our dedicated team is driven by the desire to help our community’s families and understands the relevant state and federal laws governing daycare centers. Our lengthy track record gives families peace of mind, allowing them to focus on their child’s recovery, knowing their legal case is in capable hands.

If your child has suffered an injury at daycare, call us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you get the answers, justice, and compensation you deserve.