Why Is It So Important for Parents to Self-Report Daycare Injuries?

Why Relying on the Daycare Isn’t Enough

Daycares in Texas are legally required to tell parents about injuries and file reports with the state. Unfortunately, we’ve handled cases where:

• Parents weren’t told about injuries until hours later.
• Daycares claimed they reported the incident, but no record existed.
• Reports were filed, but left out crucial details about how the child was hurt.

By self-reporting, you’re not leaving your child’s safety or your right to know in someone else’s hands.

How Self-Reporting Protects Your Family

Filing the report yourself isn’t just a formality. It’s a powerful step that gives you:

1. Access to Official Records: When you self-report, you receive the findings of the state’s investigation. These documents outline what investigators found, whether rules were broken, and how the daycare responded. In legal cases, these records can help establish the harm done and the daycare’s negligence.
2. Clarity About What Happened: Parents deserve answers, not vague explanations. An official investigation can fill in the gaps and reveal details a daycare might try to withhold.
3. Accountability for the Daycare: Self-reporting ensures the daycare cannot quietly move on without scrutiny. When an authority steps in, the incident becomes part of the official record.
4. Protection for Other Children: Reporting doesn’t just protect your child; it can prevent the same harm from happening to someone else. If a pattern of negligence exists, your report may be what brings it to light.
5. Peace of Mind: Knowing you acted gives you confidence that you did everything possible to protect your child and hold the daycare accountable.

Where to Report a Daycare Injury in Texas

Self-reporting doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here’s a clear breakdown of where to turn:

• Local Police: Call law enforcement right away if you believe your child was harmed intentionally, abused, or involved in a possible crime. Police reports ensure there is an immediate criminal investigation when needed.
• Texas Health and Human Services (THHS): This agency oversees daycare licensing and safety regulations. Reporting to THHS means investigators will review whether the daycare followed state rules.
• Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): Contact DFPS for concerns about abuse or neglect. DFPS has investigators trained to look into the safety and well-being of children in care.

Each of these agencies plays a role in protecting your child. Together, they help build a full picture of what happened.

What Happens After You Report

Many parents worry that making a report will just add stress to an already difficult situation. Here’s what usually happens:

• An investigator will review your report and open a case.
• They may visit the daycare, interview staff, and inspect records.
• You’ll receive the results of the investigation once it’s complete.

These findings are yours to keep, and they often provide the answers parents have been searching for since the day of the injury.

Contact The Button Law Firm After a Daycare Injury

If your child was injured at a daycare, making the report yourself is an important first step. After that, The Button Law Firm is here to guide you through what comes next. Our team has worked with families across Texas to hold negligent daycare centers accountable and help them move forward.

Call us at 214-699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.