What are the Most Common Daycare Accidents?

The most common daycare accidents are slips, trips, and falls at playgrounds, followed by choking on small objects and burns from hot liquids and surfaces. Such accidents can result in broken bones, concussions, blisters, and other trauma. They often occur due to insufficient supervision, improper staff ratios, and poorly maintained equipment and environments. 

Get legal help if your child was injured in an accident at a daycare center, and you believe this incident is the result of the negligence of facility staff or management. A child injury lawyer in Fort Myers will review your case. 

If you have grounds for legal action, your lawyer can help you submit a claim or lawsuit and pursue damages from any liable parties.

What are the Most Common Daycare Center Accidents Reported in Florida?

In Florida, common daycare accidents involve falls, along with incidents relating to inadequate supervision, unsafe equipment, or a lack of proper safety surfaces. Outside of these, accidents involving broken or worn-out furniture, choking hazards, and burns are sometimes reported at Florida daycare centers. 

Talk with a child injury attorney if your child has been injured in an accident at daycare. Choose a lawyer who’s earned many positive client testimonials from parents and legal guardians in cases similar to yours. Your attorney can determine if the daycare staff or management was negligent. If so, they will encourage you to hold any liable parties accountable for their actions.

Child injury lawyers will give you information about the types of injuries for which you might recover compensation and other topics relating to your case. If you proceed with a child injury claim or lawsuit, your lawyer will advocate for you and your child and help you secure damages for your quantifiable and subjective losses.

Why Do Daycare Accidents Happen?

Negligence is a key reason why daycare accidents happen. If a daycare center acts negligently, the facility puts children in danger, as there’s a high risk of accidents. Acts of negligence that can lead to accidents at daycare centers include:

• Failure to watch children, particularly at times when they’re engaged in playtime or at a playground
• Ignoring safety protocols
• Not maintaining adequate staff-to-child ratios
• Not providing staff with sufficient training
• Not securing furniture properly

According to Florida Statute 95.11, you generally have two years to file a claim or lawsuit if your child is injured for these or other reasons at a daycare due to someone’s negligence. In a child injury case, the statute of limitations can be paused until the child is 18. Because of this, the window for filing your child injury claim or lawsuit could be extended until your child turns 20. 

What to Do if Your Child is Injured in a Daycare Accident

You feel frustrated and upset after your child is injured in an accident at daycare. At this point, take a deep breath, and remember, your child matters most. Below are things that you can do to help your child following their daycare accident:

• Seek medical care. Bring your child to their pediatrician, an urgent care, or an emergency room, even if their injuries seem minor. This allows your child to have their injuries evaluated and treated by medical personnel and creates a medical record. 
• Document your child’s accident and injuries. If possible, take photos of the accident scene and your child’s injuries. These photos can be used as evidence if you file a claim or lawsuit against the daycare. 
• Notify the daycare. Inform the daycare about your child’s accident and injuries. Also, request an incident report, which you can add to your collection of evidence to use in a case against the daycare.  
• Contact the authorities. Reach out to the authorities if you believe neglect or abuse is the reason for your child’s accident and injuries. 
• Look for witnesses. Find out if anyone saw your child get hurt. If so, these individuals could provide witness statements detailing what happened that led to your child’s injuries and how the daycare is liable for the harm that your child has suffered. 

In addition to these things, consult with personal injury lawyers, and they will let you know if you can request compensatory damages for your child’s medical bills and other losses. Depending on the circumstances of your case, your attorney may advise you to submit a claim or lawsuit against your child’s daycare.

Learn More About the Most Commonly Reported Daycare Accidents

Daycare accidents are common due to children’s curiosity and developing mobility. However, there are times when accidents occur due to a daycare’s careless or reckless acts and cause child injuries. 

If your child is injured in such an accident, now may be the right time to pursue compensation from their daycare via a claim or lawsuit. At Viles & Beckman, we protect the legal rights and best interests of children and families. 

Our team has more than 40 years of combined experience and has recovered over $100 million for our clients. If you want legal guidance and support after your child was injured in an accident at their daycare, we’re here for you. For more information, schedule a free case review.