A place or property that is not properly cared for or kept in good operating condition is called an unmaintained premises. At daycare centers in Houston, this can include broken playground equipment, unsecured doors and fences, inadequate security, and general hazards such as uncovered electrical outlets or wobbly furniture that could hurt children. Sadly, 40% of reported daycare injuries in Houston and across Texas, are caused by a facility’s unmaintained premises, according to a 2020 child safety report from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Dangerous outdoor equipment, indoor equipment, and general tools were the top items most neglected by daycare centers.
If your child was seriously hurt or fatally injured because of an unsafe condition at a daycare center anywhere in Houston, our Houston daycare injury attorneys at The Button Law Firm can help you get the compensation your family deserves and protect other children from getting hurt in the future. We fight to get justice for families in Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Conroe, Cypress, Deer Park, Friendswood, Houston, Humble, Jersey Village, Katy, Lake Jackson, League City, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and Tomball. Call us at 281-857-6116 or fill out a contact form for a free consultation.
What Is a Houston Daycare’s Responsibility to Keep a Safe Space for Children in Its Care?
Daycare centers in Houston are responsible for ensuring their facilities—inside and outside—are safe for the young children in their care. In fact, minimum care standards detail specific guidelines that Houston daycare centers need to follow, covering everything from indoor activity spaces and adequate fencing for outdoor play areas to maintaining proper supervision of the children and keeping them in a controlled area for safety purposes.
In addition, Houston directors, caregivers, and other daycare workers should take the following steps to create a safe space for children in their care:
- Keep the facility clean and well-maintained. This includes regularly cleaning and sanitizing surfaces.
- Regularly inspect the facility for hazards or issues that need to be addressed. This includes checking for tripping hazards and broken equipment, ensuring electrical outlets are covered, and addressing other potential dangers that could hurt children.
- Repair or replace any broken or malfunctioning equipment. For example, playground equipment should be in good condition without any protruding nails or screws, broken wood, or rusted metal that could seriously injure a child. In addition, furniture that is not stable should be secured to the wall or replaced to avoid falling on children.
- Train workers on how to identify and address hazards at the facility. This could be filing a maintenance report or making note of an issue to bring to the director’s attention. Training should also include how to properly supervise children to prevent accidents from happening.
By following the steps above and complying with regulations dictated by the state of Texas, Houston children can be protected from preventable injuries at local daycare centers.
How Do Kids Get Hurt When Houston Daycares Aren’t Properly Maintained?
It is crucial that daycare centers across Houston take steps to keep their indoor classrooms and any outdoor playscapes or playgrounds maintained and safe for the young children in their care. As we shared earlier in this article, 40% of recorded injuries that children sustained at Houston daycares and childcare facilities across the state are caused by the daycare’s unmaintained premises.
Young children in Houston are particularly vulnerable to daycare injuries, which can include:
- Broken bones
- Bruising
- Burns
- Choking on unsafe or age-inappropriate toys
- Crushed or jammed fingers
- Cuts and scrapes
- Hypothermia or heatstroke
- Sprains
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
What Damages Can Be Recovered from a Houston Daycare Center?
Whenever your child is hurt at a Houston daycare center, especially if an unsafe condition that was preventable, it can be scary and take emotional and financial tolls on you and your family. In Houston, your family has the option to hold the daycare responsible for their negligence and failure to keep your child safe by filing a claim to seek compensation, also known as damages.
Damages that your family may be compensated for include:
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses, including ongoing or future medical treatments and therapy
- Pain and suffering
In the tragic event that a child experiences a fatal injury because of unmaintained daycare premises at a Houston daycare, parents and guardians may be eligible for compensation to cover:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses incurred prior to a child’s passing away
- Loss of consortium for family members
- Loss of income
- Emotional damages such as pain and suffering
- Other unexpected costly fees
There is a time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Houston, so reach out to our team as soon as possible. Call us at 281-857-6116 or fill out a contact form for a free consultation. Our experienced Houston daycare injury attorneys will listen and determine the best way to help you and your family.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Houston Daycare Injury Lawyers
Our team of experienced and compassionate Houston daycare injury attorneys at https://www.buttonlawfirm.com/The Button Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for you and your family if your child was hurt or harmed by unsafe conditions at a Houston daycare center or childcare facility. With attorneys in Houston, we are ready to listen and fight for families in Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Conroe, Cypress, Deer Park, Friendswood, Humble, Jersey Village, Katy, Lake Jackson, League City, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Richmond, Rosenberg, Spring, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and Tomball. 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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