When a child is injured at daycare, parents are often left feeling shocked, scared, and unsure of what to do next. In those first moments, it can be difficult to think clearly or know which steps matter most. That uncertainty is exactly why we created our 5 Steps to Take After a Daycare Injury series.
The first and most important step is simple but critical: seek medical attention for your child immediately.
Why Medical Care Should Always Come First
Whether the daycare calls to report an injury or you notice something is wrong after bringing your child home, your top priority should be having your child evaluated by a medical professional. Even when there are no obvious injuries or your child does not appear to be in pain, medical care should never be delayed.
Young children, especially infants and toddlers, often cannot fully communicate discomfort or explain what hurts. Some injuries also do not present visible symptoms right away. A trained medical provider can assess your child properly and determine whether treatment is needed.
Hidden Injuries Are More Common Than Parents Realize
Some of the most serious daycare injuries are not immediately obvious. We have worked on cases where children suffered broken bones on playgrounds while under little or no supervision. Young children may describe a broken arm or leg as a “boo-boo” because they do not understand the severity of the injury.
Burns are another example. Children can be burned by hot food trays, bottle warmers, overheated windows, or other unsafe conditions. In one case, a child was burned simply by touching a sun-heated window while a caregiver was not paying attention. These injuries do not always leave visible marks right away, but they can still be painful and dangerous if untreated.
Heat-Related Injuries Are a Serious Risk in Texas
In Texas, extreme heat creates additional dangers for children in daycare settings. Heatstroke can occur when children are left outside for too long or kept in an overheated environment. This type of injury is especially dangerous and can cause long-term brain or organ damage if not addressed quickly.
Unfortunately, some daycare facilities fail to recognize the signs of heat-related illness or attempt to minimize what happened. Parents should trust their instincts. If something feels wrong or you believe your child may have been exposed to unsafe heat, seek medical care right away.
Medical Records Matter for Accountability
Medical treatment does more than protect your child’s health. It also creates an official record of the injury. This documentation can be critical if you later need to file a complaint, report the daycare, or pursue a legal claim.
Medical records help establish what happened, how serious the injury was, and when it occurred. This information can make a significant difference when holding a daycare accountable for unsafe conditions or poor supervision.
Follow Up With Your Child’s Pediatrician
Even if your child is treated at the hospital or urgent care, following up with their regular pediatrician is an important step. Your pediatrician understands your child’s normal behavior and development and may notice subtle signs of trauma or injury that others miss.
They can also recommend specialists when necessary, such as an orthopedic doctor for fractures, a neurologist for head injuries, or a child psychologist to address emotional effects after a traumatic incident.
Do Not Wait When It Comes to Your Child’s Safety
When it comes to daycare injuries, waiting can put your child at further risk. Even if you are unsure how serious the injury is, seeking medical attention right away protects your child’s health and preserves important evidence.
This first step lays the foundation for everything that follows.
Contact The Button Law Firm
If your child was injured at daycare and you have questions about what to do next, The Button Law Firm is here to help. We focus exclusively on daycare and child injury cases and can help you understand your options.
Call (214) 699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out our contact form to share your story. Our website also offers free resources to help parents navigate these situations when they are ready.
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