Daycare Injury Lawyer in Tyler, Texas 

The worst news you can receive as a parent is that phone call from your child’s daycare center informing you that your child has been injured. Daycare centers have a responsibility to provide for the wellbeing of the children entrusted in their care. This means that premises must be safe for children, especially playground equipment. The people entrusted to care for the children must be properly vetted and have appropriate training to care for children. Unfortunately, every year, children are injured at daycares due to the negligence or neglect of caregivers.

Daycare workers have a responsibility to watch children at all times. Daycare centers have a responsibility to address any hazards and ensure that toys and activities provided to children are age-appropriate. When daycare centers are understaffed, when workers are not trained, or when staff are not properly vetted and when background checks are not properly performed, accidents can happen. If your child was hurt while at daycare, you may have the right to seek damages for your child’s injuries. The Cooper Law Firm is a daycare injury lawyer in Tyler, Texas who may be able to assist you with your claim. 

Minimum Requirements that Texas Daycares Must Meet

Texas daycares are required to meet minimum requirements as provided by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. When daycare centers fail to meet these minimum guidelines, injuries can take place. What are some basic guidelines that Texas daycare centers must follow?

• Daycare staff must have clearly delineated roles and duties.
• Parental Contact. If a child is injured while under the care of the daycare, even if the injury is minor, the staff must inform the parent that the injury took place. If you learn about your child’s injury later and weren’t informed, you may have a right to take action.
• Emergency Plans. Daycare centers must have clear emergency plans in place regarding what to do if a child is seriously injured. Daycare centers should also have clear plans in place regarding what to do if a child with allergies experiences an allergic reaction. If your child has an allergy, the daycare center has a responsibility to have a plan in place to prevent an emergency and also have a plan in place to address an emergency should one arise.
• In order to prevent confusion or risks to children, daycare centers should have clear release plans in place, as well as have the contact information, names, and photo identification of parents and caregivers permitted to pick up children.
• Insurance and Records. Daycare centers must have appropriate insurance and keep on the premises records of inspections, records of staff, and other important information, including the children’s records, immunization records, and other important information.
• Workers must be properly trained, have CPR and first aid certification, be at least 18 years old, and have at least a high school degree. Daycare centers may also be required to regularly update the training of workers.
• Staff to Children Ratio. Daycare centers must be properly staffed. The required staff-to-child ratio will depend on the ages of the children being cared for.

These are just some of the requirements that daycare centers must meet. Depending on the age of the children being supervised, daycare centers may be required to meet other standards. Daycares have a duty of care to the children entrusted in their care beyond these minimum requirements. For example, premises should be free of hazards that could lead to trip, slips, and falls. Staff and supervisors should also be aware of signs of abuse and neglect and address any issues should they arise. If the daycare has a playground, the equipment in the play area must be appropriately maintained. If children are given toys or are placed in beds or cribs, these must also be age appropriate.

If your child was hurt at a daycare center, an investigation may take place. If you believe that the daycare center failed to meet minimum requirements, or that staff are responsible for your child’s injuries, you may have the right to seek damages under the law. Contact the Cooper Law Firm, a daycare injury law firm in Tyler, Texas today to learn more.

Playgrounds and Daycare Injuries in Tyler Texas

Playgrounds are one place where children can be at the greatest risk for injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year over 200,000 children suffer playground injuries. Many of these injuries can be life-threatening and life-altering. Traumatic brain injury is a common injury children can sustain on the playground. Children can also suffer other serious injuries, like broken bones, sprains, internal injuries, scrapes, and bruises.

Daycare centers that have playgrounds have a responsibility to ensure that the playground is safe. Fall areas should be soft and should contain wood chips, sand, or mulch. Equipment should be in working condition and should be properly maintained. Areas that are higher up should have proper guardrails and there should be no surfaces that can pose a risk for burns, especially under the hot Texas sun. Playgrounds should be inspected for hazards on a regular basis. Finally, there is no replacement for proper supervision of children while they are playing. Properly staffed daycare centers are best able to supervise children.

If your child was hurt while playing in a daycare playground, you may have the right to seek damages for your children’s medical care and losses. The Cooper Law Firm are daycare injury attorneys in Tyler, Texas who may be able to help you if your child was recently hurt. Contact our daycare accident law firm today.

Seek Justice for Daycare Accidents in Tyler Texas

The Cooper Law Firm is a daycare accident law firm in Tyler, Texas who may be able to help your family seek justice if a daycare center’s negligence or neglect resulted in your child’s injuries. You may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim following your child’s injury. Even if you have signed a liability waiver, you may still be entitled to make a claim if the daycare’s negligence or neglect resulted in an accident. Contact the Cooper Law Firm, a daycare accident lawyer in Tyler, Texas today to learn more about your rights and to begin taking the next steps.