Are Daycare Injuries Normal?

Scrapes and bruises are a normal part of growing up, especially for active little ones who love to run, climb, and explore. But what happens when your child comes home from daycare with an injury that seems more serious? How do you know if it’s an accident—or a red flag for something more dangerous, like daycare neglect or abuse?

At The Button Law Firm, we help parents get answers after a daycare injury. Below, we explain what types of injuries are common, which ones should raise concern, and what steps to take if you suspect something more serious is going on.

What Types of Injuries Are Considered “Normal” at Daycare?

Kids are bound to get minor injuries from time to time. At daycare, this might include:

• Small scrapes

• Surface-level bruises

• Minor bumps or cuts

These types of injuries usually happen during supervised playtime, crawling, or roughhousing with other children. When the daycare staff is attentive and the environment is safe, these injuries should be infrequent and minor.

When Should You Be Concerned About a Daycare Injury?

If your child comes home with a major injury, it’s time to take a closer look. Serious injuries are not a normal part of daycare and may be signs of:

• Negligence by daycare staff

• Unsafe environments

• Inadequate supervision

• Unqualified or poorly trained caregivers

Examples of major daycare injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

• Bottle warmer burns

• Finger crush or severing injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Broken bones

• Chemical burns

• And other injuries requiring emergency medical attention or long-term care

These types of injuries usually don’t happen unless something has gone seriously wrong.

What Should You Do If Your Child Suffers a Serious Injury at Daycare?

If your child has been seriously hurt, your first priority should always be medical care. Once your child is safe and receiving treatment, it’s important to start asking questions about how the injury happened.

The two most important questions to ask the daycare are:

1. Who caused the injury?

2. Was the injury preventable?

In many cases, preventable injuries are linked to:

• Inattentive caregivers

• Unsafe or broken equipment

• Poor supervision ratios

• Unqualified or untrained staff

• Poorly maintained daycare environments

These are not “accidents” but avoidable incidents that could point to neglect or misconduct.

How Do You Know If a Daycare Is Responsible?

If your child was injured at daycare and you’re unsure of what to do next, contact The Button Law Firm today. Our experienced team is here to help guide you through your options and answer your questions. You can give us a call at (214) 699-4409 or email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com. You can also reach out to us by filling out the form below or by starting a chat with a member of our team. We’re here to support you and help your family move forward.