Parents trust daycare providers to keep their children safe at all times, including during off-site activities. That responsibility does not change when a child leaves the facility for a field trip.
In one case our firm handled, a two-year-old girl suffered a severe injury during a daycare outing that should have been properly supervised and safe.
This case is part of our Moving Forward series, where we share real stories of families we have helped after a child was injured due to daycare negligence.
A Serious Injury During a Routine Outing
The child attended an in-home daycare that regularly took children to a gymnastics facility for weekly field trips. These outings were presented to parents as structured, supervised activities.
During one of these visits, the daycare informed the family that the child had fallen into a foam pit and broken her leg.
Her parents immediately sought medical care. The injury was significant. She had suffered a fractured femur and required emergency treatment, including being airlifted to another hospital for surgery.
Questions About What Happened
Medical providers quickly recognized that the explanation given by the daycare did not align with the severity of the injury.
Foam pits are designed to absorb impact and reduce the risk of serious harm. A fracture of this nature raised concerns about whether proper safety conditions were in place.
As the family worked to understand what had occurred, their daughter provided additional information that further contradicted the daycare’s explanation.
Unsafe Conditions Identified
An investigation into the incident revealed that the foam pit was not properly filled. It did not meet the safety standards required to protect children during use.
A young child was placed into an environment that appeared safe but was, in reality, inadequate and dangerous.
The child had no ability to recognize that risk. She relied entirely on the adults responsible for supervising the activity and ensuring the environment was safe.
The Impact on the Family
A fractured femur is one of the most serious injuries a young child can experience. It required surgical intervention and ongoing medical care.
Beyond the physical injury, the family faced the emotional and logistical challenges that come with a traumatic event involving a young child.
Holding the Daycare Accountable
The family sought accountability after learning that the conditions contributing to their daughter’s injury were preventable.
Our firm worked with the family to document the incident, investigate the safety failures, and pursue a result that addressed both the immediate and long-term impact of the injury.
The outcome provided for medical care, future treatment, and the broader effects the injury had on the child and her family.
Why This Case Matters
Daycare providers are responsible for maintaining safe environments, whether children are on-site or participating in off-site activities. Field trips do not reduce that responsibility.
When safety standards are not followed, the consequences can be severe.
This case highlights the importance of proper supervision, safe equipment, and adherence to the minimum standards in all childcare settings.
We Are Here to Help Families
If your child has been injured at daycare or during a daycare activity, The Button Law Firm is here to help. We focus exclusively on daycare and child injury cases and work to hold negligent providers accountable.
To share your story, call (214) 699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out our secure contact page. Our website also offers free resources for families who are not ready to speak with an attorney yet.
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