Oregon Daycare Abuse Lawyer

Helping Parents Understand Their Legal Options After Daycare Abuse

When you take your child to daycare, the last thing that you expect is for your child to be harmed. You’ve done your research, you’ve spoken to the staff, you’ve looked over the facilities, and you have done everything you can think of to ensure that the daycare of your choice is a safe place for your child to be while you’re away. However, even the best daycare facilities are subject to accidents, and some may be caused by negligence.

If you believe that your child suffered injuries as a direct result of daycare workers’ negligence or willful actions, Galm Law can help. Call today to find out what options victims have in Oregon and how to take the first steps in holding the staff or facility legally accountable.

Why Do Daycare Accidents Happen?

How is it possible for a child to be injured when they are supposed to be under the direct care and supervision of trained providers? It’s a legitimate question that many parents ask, and the answer is that the majority of accidents in a daycare setting are due to staff negligence. Some common ways that daycares are liable for negligence include:

The daycare center is understaffed or has improperly trained employees
The daycare facility didn’t ensure proper background checks were done on employees
Children at the daycare have limited or insufficient supervision
There are too many children at the facility, making it so that the staff are unable to supervise properly
Staff members are engaging in other activities, such as being on their phones, when they should be supervising the children
There is an overall lack of supervision, leading to children getting into things they shouldn’t, such as climbing on playground equipment without supervision or getting injured in some way

When you entrust the care and safety of your child to a daycare provider, there is an inherent duty of care. The provider has the responsibility to do everything in their power to ensure that children are supervised and safe. While it’s still possible for a child to be injured even with proper supervision, negligent actions increase the risk.

What Are Some Common Signs of Daycare Abuse?

Serious daycare injuries, such as a broken bone, may be obvious, but there can also be more subtle signs of abuse or neglect.

Unexplained or frequent injuries. All children get injured on occasion, and toddlers, in particular, can be more prone to accidents as they learn to run and move their bodies. However, if your child seems to be coming home with injuries constantly or the daycare isn’t able to explain how they happened, this is a potential sign of abuse
Injuries on unusual areas of the body. Injuries to the extremities and the head are often more common in children. If you’re noticing injuries to other areas, such as the inner thigh or back, this could indicate mistreatment
Marks on the wrists or ankles. These can be serious injuries and potential signs that the child is being inappropriately restrained
The child being afraid of going to the daycare or being left with certain staff members. It’s normal for children to cry a bit when left at daycare, especially in the beginning, but if you’re noticing a sudden fear in your child or more extreme behavior when you go to leave, it’s worth investigating
Persistent diaper rash or other signs of poor hygiene. Coming home in dirty clothes every day or having soaked diapers that don’t appear to have been changed for hours are signs of daycare neglect
Inappropriate sexual behavior or knowledge. A child who begins to display sexual behaviors suddenly, has pain or bleeding from the genitals, or is afraid to undress may be experiencing sexual abuse

If you notice any of these signs or are otherwise concerned about your child’s behavior and think neglect or abuse may be happening, seek medical attention for your child immediately.

What Help Is Available for Families After Day Care Abuse?

If your child has been involved in an accident at daycare, no matter how minor it may seem, it could be due to the negligence of staff members or the daycare itself. You and your child could be entitled to compensation for medical bills incurred due to the accident. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may also be appropriate for emotional distress due to the abuse or child neglect. An experienced, professional personal injury attorney can assist you in investigating the accident and asserting your rights.

What Should You Do If Your Child Is Hurt at a Daycare Facility?

Daycare center negligence or abuse is a parent’s worst nightmare. It’s normal to feel upset and angry, but it’s important to go through the following steps to protect your child and your legal interests.

Have your child evaluated by a healthcare professional to check for signs of abuse and have any injuries treated
Meet with the director of the daycare to express your concerns and let them know that you think negligence or abuse may be occurring
Gather evidence such as photographs of the injuries, medical records, or video footage from the facility
Speak with an attorney to find out what your options and next steps should be

Paul C. Galm, attorney at Galm Law, has extensive experience in daycare negligence litigation in the Portland area and can help you get the compensation you deserve for your child’s injuries. He is a dedicated and compassionate lawyer who will put the needs of your child and your family first. Call 971-405-6660 today to schedule a free consultation and find out how our firm can help.