
Protecting your child is an essential responsibility as a parent or guardian, but accidents can happen unexpectedly, and sometimes those we trust can cause harm, intentionally or not. South Carolina law allows you to file an injury claim for your child.
However, pursuing compensation for a child’s injury can be complicated. That’s where a legal team at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can assist.
We are familiar with child injury claims laws and can guide you through the process. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and start your child’s injury case.
How Can Our Daycare Accident Attorney Serving Charleston Support You After a Daycare Assault?
If your child is a victim of daycare injury or assault in Charleston, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation. Hiring our child injury legal team serving Charleston can help you pursue your claim.
Our dedicated child injury legal team will help your family recover from the trauma.
If your child is a victim of daycare injury or assault in Charleston, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation. Hiring our child injury legal team serving Charleston can help you pursue your claim.
Determining Liability
Our daycare accident legal team serving Charleston will establish legal liability by gathering witness statements and expert testimonies, as well as investigating the details of the incident. If the daycare facility fails to conduct background checks or report past abuses, the legal team can take action to hold them accountable.
Establishing Damages
The legal team will assess the full extent of your family’s losses. South Carolina law allows victims to seek compensation for:
- Doctor’s visits
- Therapy costs
- Physical injuries
- Prescription medication
- Long-term trauma
- Development of anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts
Negotiating a Settlement
Our daycare accident legal team serving Charleston will negotiate on your behalf. In addition to financial compensation, holding responsible parties accountable can be an important step in the healing process.
How Can Our Daycare Accident Lawyer Serving Charleston Help?
If your child was injured while under the supervision of a daycare facility, you may have the right under South Carolina law to file a civil suit against the center.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our legal team will investigate the accident, the facility, and its employees to determine fault. If the daycare center’s negligence contributed to the injury, you may be able to seek compensation for your child’s injury, including past, present, and future medical treatment and bills, therapy, and related expenses.
Contact our daycare accident legal team serving Charleston today to schedule a free consultation. We can explain your legal options and assist with the process of pursuing a claim.
Common Types of Injuries for Children in Charleston
Injuries to children can occur in various settings, and in Charleston, South Carolina, some types are more common than others. Here are the most frequently observed injuries among children:
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can occur when a child suffers a significant blow to their back, which can be serious. As the central pathway for the body’s nervous system, an injury to the spinal cord can lead to effects such as paralysis and other serious complications.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A traumatic brain injury goes beyond a superficial head injury and can have long-term consequences. While not all TBIs are severe, they all require prompt medical attention. Severe cases can lead to serious conditions or wrongful death.
- Cuts and Bruises: Cuts and bruises are common among active children. While these injuries may seem minor, they can pose a risk of infection, especially if caused by dog bites, other animal bites, or stings.
- Broken Bones: Sudden impacts can result in broken or fractured bones, particularly in the arms, as children instinctively use them to break a fall. While children’s bones typically heal with a cast, certain injuries can affect future bone growth.
- Drowning: Drowning is a risk in South Carolina. Children who are not adequately supervised or do not know how to swim may be at risk, particularly around bodies of water. Toddlers are more likely to drown in swimming pools and other water features, while infants may be at risk in bathtubs.
Ensuring safety measures and supervision can help reduce these risks and protect children from common injuries.
Leading Causes of Daycare Injuries and Accidents in Charleston
When parents entrust a daycare with their child’s care, they expect a secure and nurturing environment. Despite rigorous standards, it’s vital for parents to recognize potential hazards and know their rights should an accident occur.
- Playground Injuries: Playgrounds are vital for children’s development, but can pose risks. Injuries might include minor scrapes or more severe cases like fractures from falls, collisions with structures, or equipment malfunctions. Understanding the safety measures in place is crucial for parents.
- Physical Abuse: Although uncomfortable to consider, physical abuse is a possible risk in daycares, whether from caregivers or other children. Such abuse can have profound emotional and physical impacts on a child, affecting their long-term well-being.
- Accidental Slips and Falls: The dynamic nature of daycares means that children are often at risk of falls due to spills, clutter, or during activities. Such falls could lead to anything from minor bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones.
- Choking Hazards: Daycare environments, especially for toddlers, can be fraught with choking hazards due to small toys or unsuitable food sizes. Such incidents can lead to severe outcomes like brain damage or even fatalities. It’s important for facilities to adhere to safety guidelines regarding food and toy sizes to prevent such dangers.
- Exposure to Harmful Substances: Children may face risks from toxic substances if not properly secured, including cleaning products or medications. Accidental ingestion can lead to poisoning or severe internal damage, highlighting the need for stringent safety protocols.
- Scalds and Burns: In daycare settings, burns can occur from hot objects or liquids, often in kitchens or dining areas. While many burns may be minor, some can cause significant injury requiring medical attention.
Awareness and proactive communication with daycare providers about these risks and their prevention strategies can help ensure a safer environment for children.
Common Types of Injuries in a Daycare Setting
Daycare injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious injuries such as bone fractures, head injuries, or even death. While some accidents can be due to childish mischief, unsafe conditions, or negligent supervision, these factors often cause the most severe injuries.
Legal action may be necessary when daycare negligence is involved, especially for serious injuries.
Common types of daycare injuries include:
- Minor Scrapes and Bruises: Children are naturally curious and energetic, which often leads to minor scrapes and bruises from falls or bumping into objects. These injuries are typically superficial and heal quickly with basic first aid.
- Bite Marks: Biting is a common behavior among young children who may not yet have the verbal skills to express themselves. While daycare providers strive to minimize these incidents, occasional bite marks from other children can occur. Monitoring and gentle correction are usually effective in managing this behavior.
- Sprains and Strains: In the excitement of play, children can easily sprain or strain muscles and joints. Common incidents involve twisting an ankle or spraining a wrist during active games or when using playground equipment.
- Conflicts and Physical Altercations: As children develop social skills, they sometimes resolve conflicts through physical means, including hitting or pushing. Daycare centers focus on teaching children appropriate social behaviors and ways to settle disagreements without physical altercations.
- Fractures: Though less common, fractures can occur, especially in very active play environments. Whether a child falls from a height or during a particularly vigorous activity, it is crucial how the daycare responds. Immediate medical attention and notifying the parents are essential steps in handling such serious injuries.
Types of Compensation Available for Claims in Charleston
In Charleston, compensation may be available for a child’s injury.
Here are examples of compensation that may be recovered:
- Medical Costs: Reimbursement under South Carolina law may be available for medical expenses paid to treat a child’s injury. This can include the full cost of medical expenses, even if insurance covered part of the costs.
- Reduced Quality of Life: If the daycare injury results in permanent disabilities that affect a child’s quality of life, compensation may be sought for the reduced ability to earn a living in the future. This can address the long-term impact on the child’s life and future opportunities.
- Psychological Effects: In addition to physical injuries, a child’s injury can lead to psychological effects. Compensation may be sought for the emotional and psychological impact of the injury, including therapy and other related expenses.
- Mental Impairment: If the injury causes permanent mental disabilities, compensation may be pursued to support ongoing care and needs resulting from the impairment.
Five Signs of Daycare Abuse in Charleston
Identifying signs of daycare abuse is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Here are five signs that may indicate abuse in a daycare setting:
- Unexplained Injuries: Frequent bruises, cuts, or injuries that cannot be adequately explained or which seem to recur regularly can be a red flag. Especially concerning are injuries with distinctive shapes or patterns that suggest intentional harm.
- Behavioral Changes: Sudden changes in behavior can be indicative of abuse. This may include increased clinginess, fearfulness, or a sudden reluctance to go to daycare. Conversely, a child may show signs of aggression or withdrawal that are uncharacteristic and persistent.
- Fear of Specific Adults: A strong and sudden fear of specific adults or caregivers in the daycare may suggest that the child feels threatened or unsafe around them. This can often manifest as panic or distress when being dropped off or when certain individuals approach.
- Regression in Development: Abuse can cause children to regress to earlier developmental stages. This could include renewed bedwetting, speech difficulties, thumb-sucking, or other behaviors typically outgrown at their age.
- Changes in Physical Health: Symptoms like weight loss, disturbed sleep, frequent nightmares, or unexplained stomachaches or headaches can indicate stress from abuse. Additionally, signs of neglect, such as poor hygiene, dirty clothing, or being consistently hungry or tired when picked up from daycare, should also prompt further investigation.
By staying alert to these signs, you can help protect your child from potential abuse and take necessary actions to ensure their safety.
Contact Our Daycare Accident Attorney Serving Charleston Now!
If your child has suffered from daycare sexual abuse, the child injury legal team at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can assist you.
With our approach focused on client needs and experience handling these cases, we can help your family in seeking financial compensation for losses.
To learn more about how a legal team can assist you after a daycare assault or injury in Charleston, our 24/7 English—and Spanish-speaking customer service representatives are ready to help. Contact us at (864) 664-3865 or schedule a complimentary initial consultation.
We’ll answer your questions and explain all of your legal options.
FAQ:
Can I sue a daycare for my child’s injury?
You can sue a daycare if its negligence caused your child’s injury. Our daycare accident legal team can help you determine if the daycare breached its duty of care and guide you through the legal process to seek compensation.
How can your daycare accident legal team help with my case?
A daycare accident legal team serving Charleston can investigate the incident, gather evidence, and prepare a case to show negligence. They can handle communications with insurance companies and represent you in legal proceedings.
What should I do if my child is injured at daycare?
If your child is injured at daycare, seek medical attention immediately. Document the incident, including photos of the injury and the scene. Obtain contact information from witnesses and report the incident to daycare management. Contact a daycare accident legal team serving Charleston to discuss your options.