What Should I Do If an Injury at My Child’s Daycare Wasn’t Reported?
Discovering that your child has been hurt at daycare, and realizing the injury wasn’t reported, can leave any parent feeling angry, confused, and unsure of what to do. Daycare centers have a legal responsibility to not only provide a safe environment but also document and communicate any injuries that occur.
When staff members fail to report an injury, it may be a sign of negligence or even an attempt to hide what happened. This puts your child at risk and raises serious concerns about the daycare’s safety practices.
Below, we’ll walk through what you should do if your child comes home with an unexplained injury from daycare.
Recognizing the Signs of an Unreported Daycare Injury
Children, especially younger ones, may not always be able to explain what happened at daycare. That’s why it’s important for parents to stay alert to signs of injury. These may include:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or scratches
- Visible injuries such as swelling or redness
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior
- Reluctance to return to daycare
- Complaints of pain or discomfort
If you notice any of these warning signs, take them seriously and begin gathering information.
Documenting the Injury
Your first step is to carefully document what you see. Take clear photos of your child’s injuries and write down any details they share about how it happened. Be sure to note the date and time you first noticed the injury.
This documentation will be important if you need to take further action against the daycare.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if the injury appears minor, it’s essential to have your child evaluated by a healthcare professional. A doctor can assess the full extent of the injury, provide proper treatment, and create medical records that detail their findings.
These records not only protect your child’s health but also serve as vital evidence if legal action becomes necessary.
Communicate with the Daycare
After getting medical care, contact the daycare immediately. Ask to speak with the director or manager and request a detailed explanation of how the injury occurred. You should also ask whether an incident report was filed.
If no report exists, or if the daycare staff cannot provide clear answers, that is a major red flag.
Escalating the Matter
When a daycare fails to report injuries or refuses to cooperate, it’s important to take the next step. Contact state authorities, such as the Department of Family and Protective Services, to file a formal complaint.
Reporting the daycare helps hold them accountable and ensures that state regulators investigate potential safety violations.
Taking Legal Action
If your child’s injury was caused by negligence, you may have grounds for legal action against the daycare. A legal claim can help your family recover the costs of medical care, address the emotional impact of the injury, and push for changes that protect other children from similar harm.
At The Button Law Firm, we work with families to hold negligent daycares accountable and stand up for children’s safety.
Contact The Button Law Firm
If your child was injured at daycare and the incident wasn’t reported, we are here to help guide you through the next steps. Our team has extensive experience with daycare injury cases and is committed to protecting children and families.
Reach out to us at 214-699-4409, email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out our contact form to get started.
.png)
.png)
