Senior Partner
If your child is looked after at daycare, school, or in another childcare facility, you trust the individuals and institutions involved to look closely after them. This is especially true if your child is young or has special needs. But caring for children requires diligently paying attention to them. Turning away or being distracted, even for a moment, can allow the child to get seriously injured. Parents whose children have been left unattended and injured can take legal action to seek monetary compensation. The attorneys of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. explain.
Common injuries involving an unattended child
Businesses, homes, and schools are filled with potential dangers for children. Caregivers are expected to act with reasonable prudence in ensuring children do not come in contact with a number of harms. These are a few of the most common ways unattended children get injured:
Poisoning. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that this is a leading cause of injury among toddlers. Common household items like cleansers and medications can, in a child’s hands, be harmful or even lethal.
Choking. It is surprisingly easy for a child to choke on what seems to be only a morsel of food. A child may also choke on a toy or other small item if left unattended. Care should be taken to prevent a child from accessing items that may be choking hazards.
Drowning. Any facility with a swimming pool, including a home if the child is being watched by a babysitter, must take special precaution. Drowning in a pool or other body of water is entirely preventable if simple steps are taken to limit access to the area.
Playgrounds. The risk of a playground injury is substantial because there are so many children and, usually, much fewer supervising adults. A playground injury could result in severe and possibly permanent injuries if the child hurts his head, neck, or spine.
Staircases. Safety guards can be placed at staircases to prevent children from climbing up or down and being seriously injured. A staircase injury may cause paralysis or other permanent disability, so caregivers must be sure to look after wandering children.
Dog bites. Supervising adults should keep an eye on interactions between children and animals. Not everyone appreciates the potential danger posed by dogs, even those that appear to be friendly. A dog bite injury can require reconstructive surgery and other serious medical treatment.
How an attorney can help
If your child has been injured due to negligent supervision, you have the right to seek monetary compensation. You may incur significant medical bills to care for your child. Some injuries are permanent and require a lifetime of medical attention, which may include physical therapy, rehabilitative care, adaptive medical equipment, and more.
These are not costs that you should have to bear. An attorney can file a legal claim to recuperate damages stemming from your child’s injury. We will investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and then work demonstrating that negligent supervision was responsible. You may be able to seek damages from the school, daycare facility, caregiver agency, and other entities (along with various at-fault individuals) who left your child unattended.
Our dedicated and compassionate legal team is ready to stand up for your child’s rights. Give Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. a call to discuss your options today.
