It is no secret that the scorching summer heat surpassed record temperatures in 2023. In Spring, Texas, the hottest day in July reached 104.5 degrees, according to Texas Weather. The record-breaking temperatures make it especially important for daycare centers in Spring to be mindful and follow the state’s minimum standards when transporting kids in a van or bus. In fact, temperatures can easily rise 19 degrees inside of a locked vehicle in just 10 minutes, according to a KHOU story.
Since 2022, five Houston-area children have passed away from being left in hot vehicles, according to NoHeatStroke.org, a nonprofit that raises awareness about pediatric vehicle-related heatstroke incidents. These children were:
- 2-month-old boy in Houston
- 10-month-old girl in Houston
- 2-year-old Houston boy
- 4-year-old Houston boy
- 5-year-old boy in Harris County
Our experienced Spring daycare injury attorneys help families hold negligent facilities accountable for reckless behavior when transporting precious cargo like your child. We’re educating parents in Spring, Texas, about what to do in case a child experiences a traumatic event like being left or locked in a hot van while in the care of a local childcare facility.
Overheating and Heatstroke at Daycare Centers in Spring, Texas
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has named heatstroke and overheating as a leading cause of non-crash-related deaths among children younger than 15, and that includes young children who attend Spring daycare centers. These dangerous health incidents can happen when a child’s body temperature rises above its normal range due to exposure to extreme temperatures. A KHOU story warns overheating and heatstroke can happen fairly quickly, with younger children at a higher risk.
What Happens When Children in Spring Overheat or Get Heatstroke from Being Left in a Daycare Van or Bus?
When locked in a Spring daycare’s bus or van, it is easy for a child’s body to overheat by reaching over 104 degrees. Overheating may cause a child to experience the following health issues:
- Brain damage
- Dizziness or confusion
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Organ failure
- Rapid heartbeat
Once a child’s body temperature reaches 107 degrees, their heatstroke becomes deadly.
How to Avoid Children Overheating in Daycare Vehicles in Spring, Texas
The good news: Young children overheating in Spring daycare vehicles are 100% preventable. Daycare centers that transport children in a van or bus are required to follow specific rules, as outlined by Texas Health and Human Services. Spring daycare centers can easily adhere to the simple safety rules when loading and unloading children by:
- Loading and unloading children at the curbside of the vehicle or in a protected parking area or driveway
- Conducting multiple face-to-name checks to ensure all children are accounted for after a ride in a daycare van or bus, and before leaving the vehicle unattended
- Maintaining safe staff-to-child ratios
- Ensuring all daycare workers complete training on safety standards, including travel safety and how to spot symptoms of overheating and heatstroke
Can I Sue a Daycare Center in Spring If My Child Was Left in a Hot Van or Bus?
Being left in a hot van can result in significant physical and emotional trauma for your child. If your child was left to overheat in a daycare van or bus, your family has a right to file a lawsuit to hold the Spring daycare center and relevant caregivers accountable and seek compensation, also known as damages. The lawsuit must be filed within two years of the incident in accordance with Texas laws.
Parents may be eligible for compensation to cover:
- Emotional damages such as pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish
In the tragic event that a child passes away because of injuries sustained while locked in a hot daycare van in Spring, parents may be eligible for compensation to cover:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages if the daycare’s gross negligence caused a child’s death
- The emotional toll of losing a loved one, especially a child
- Other unexpected expenses
There is a two-year time limit for filing a claim, so reach out to our experienced daycare injury attorneys as soon as possible by calling 281-857-6116 or filling out a contact form for a free consultation. We will listen and advise on the best path forward for you and your family.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Spring Daycare Injury Lawyers
Our team of knowledgeable and compassionate Spring daycare injury attorneys at The Button Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for you and your family if your child is left in a hot van or bus while in the care of a Spring daycare facility. We are ready to listen and fight for your family. Our attorneys 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 281-857-6116 or fill out a contact form for a free consultation.
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