Daycare Negligence in Georgia
Parents must be able to trust daycare facilities. These facilities are responsible for caring for the most vulnerable members of our society. Unfortunately, there are times when these daycares fall short of their duties and responsibilities. When this occurs, children can sustain significant injuries. Here, we want to discuss daycare negligence in Georgia, particularly what it means for daycare to be negligent, what parents of injured children can do, and what type of compensation may be available in these situations.
What is daycare negligence?
Children get injured all the time, and this does not necessarily mean their injury was caused by negligence. Let’s face it – children are rambunctious and can usually find a way to get themselves into situations that cause injuries. However, there is a difference between injuries caused by normal childhood behavior and injuries caused by the negligence of a daycare operator.
Daycare owners and operators have a duty to ensure the safety of the children under their care. This includes ensuring that they have adequately trained staff present at all times. There are various incidents that can occur in which daycare staff may be deemed negligent. This can include the following behaviors:
- Failing to remove or remediate hazards that pose a threat to children
- Neglecting to properly monitor children under their care
- Physically or emotionally abusing a child
- Engaging in reckless or careless actions that contribute to a child’s injury
- Neglecting a child’s basic needs (food, water, shelter, etc.)
Children can sustain a wide variety of injuries due to daycare owner or operator negligence. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Open head wounds
- Spinal cord injuries
- Dental or mouth injuries
- Internal injuries or internal bleeding
- Unintentional poisonings
- Choking or suffocation injuries
- Severe burns
- Drowning or near-drowning incidents
What can parents do if their child was injured at daycare in Georgia?
If your child has been injured at a daycare in Georgia, your number one priority is to seek medical care for their injuries. Let the doctor perform a full examination and ensure that your child is properly cared for. You may need to consider contacting law enforcement officials if you suspect that the negligence of the daycare employees caused your child’s injuries. You should also contact the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to file a complaint relating to the rules governing child care programs in the state.
Importantly, speak to a qualified Georgia daycare injury attorney history as possible so they can begin obtaining and preserving any evidence needed to prove liability.
What type of compensation is available in these cases?
If your child sustained an injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of a daycare staff member, there may be various types of compensation available for your child and your family. This includes the following:
- Coverage of any medical bills caused by the daycare injury
- Lost income of a parent who cannot work because they have to care for their child
- Any out-of-pocket expenses caused by the injury
- Coverage of any long-term care necessary for the child
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of quality of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against the daycare
The total amount of compensation available for these cases will vary depending on the facts of each particular situation. A qualified and experienced personal injury attorney in Atlanta will use their resources to investigate your claim, determine liability, and help you obtain maximum compensation.