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On his second day of preschool, a little boy was enjoying outdoor playtime during recess. A teacher placed him on monkey bars, then went off to attend to other children. Left unsupervised and without spotting from the teacher, the little boy lost his grip and fell from the high bars, falling onto the rocks below.How Could the Texas Preschool Have Prevented This Little Boy’s Injuries?
Like daycare centers, licensed preschools in Texas are required to follow Texas childcare laws, also known as the minimum standards. These laws outline basic operational practices that childcare facilities are supposed to follow to keep children safe. In this case, the preschool failed to follow the basic guidelines that could have easily prevented this little boy’s injuries.
For example, it is a well-known fact that a lack of supervision causes most child injuries at daycare centers and schools. That is why the minimum standards require caregivers to keep all children they are responsible for within visual and auditory reach. Closely watching children allows caregivers to quickly intervene and prevent a hazardous situation or object from harming a child. In this case, the teacher left the young boy alone on monkey bars, known for being risky playground equipment, and completely diverted her attention to other children.
The minimum standards also have regulations that address age-appropriate playground equipment at daycare centers and schools. Often, centers and schools have two different play areas since equipment that is fun for older children might be too dangerous for younger children. The little boy in this case was in the younger age group. He was participating in the preschool’s half-day program, which only lasts for a few hours, to help him and other little ones his age adjust to a school routine. Therefore, monkey bars were too advanced for him to play on, especially while unsupervised. Toddlers and young children need lower climbing structures and slides with protective barriers to keep them safe, which is very different from the monkey bars the teacher allowed him to play on.
Lastly, daycare centers and schools are required to notify a child’s parent immediately if anything serious happens to their child while under the daycare’s watch. Parents should also be given a copy of an incident report that details what happened, what injuries were sustained, and what medical care or treatment was sought for the child. Unfortunately, the preschool also failed to comply with these minimum standards. The little boy’s mother was never contacted by anyone at the preschool, nor did the school contact emergency medical services for her son. Instead, she arrived to pick him up at noon and found him crying excessively. Trusting her motherly instinct, she rushed the child to his pediatrician, where he was diagnosed with a broken elbow and wrist, and given a cast to help his injuries heal.
How Did The Button Law Firm Help This Texas Family Move Forward?
After being failed multiple times by this preschool, our team of experienced daycare and child injury lawyers partnered with another firm to get justice for this mother and her son. Together, we held the preschool accountable for its noncompliance with several minimum standards that led to the little boy’s broken elbow and wrist. We also secured a life-changing result that covered the little boy’s medical bills and future treatments to help his injuries heal so that he and his mom could move forward.
Contact The Button Law Firm If Your Child Was Injured at a Daycare Center
If your child was physically or emotionally injured at a daycare center anywhere in Texas, contact our experienced daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm. With offices in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, we are ready to listen, fight for your family, and help your family move forward. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.
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