As a result of job constraints and economic pressures, many parents must entrust the safety of their children to daycare and school employees. Although there is an expectation that these professionals are trained to address any problems a child might have and foster a safe environment in which children can thrive, this is not always the case.
In some cases, childcare workers may be to blame for serious injuries and emotional damage affecting innocent children. If a third party has injured your child, we recommend speaking with an experienced Northglenn child injury lawyer who can ensure deadlines are met and the appropriate paperwork is filed. Our skilled personal injury attorneys will fight for the rights of you and your child.
What Are Common Injuries Children Face Under Negligent Supervision?
Children can suffer many types of injuries while attending daycare, school, recreational programs, or other supervised activities. Falls, broken bones, head injuries, burns, and other physical trauma may occur because of unsafe conditions or inadequate supervision. Some children may also experience emotional distress after an incident, particularly when another person’s negligence caused the harm.
Young children may have difficulty explaining what happened or describing their symptoms. Infants and toddlers may not have the communication skills necessary to tell a parent that someone failed to supervise them or that they were injured. Even older children may provide incomplete information because they feel frightened, embarrassed, or worried about getting someone in trouble.
Our Northglenn child injury attorneys can examine available evidence to help establish what happened. This evidence may include:
- Photographs
- Medical records
- Incident reports
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Communications from the daycare, school, or other organization
Prompt investigation can matter because some evidence may become unavailable as time passes.
Parents May Face Significant Financial Consequences
A child’s injury can create expenses that extend well beyond the initial emergency room visit. Depending on the severity of the injury, parents may face costs that include:
- Medication
- Counseling
- Physical therapy
- Diagnostic testing
- Follow-up appointments
- Specialized medical equipment
- Long-term care or specialized services
Parents may need to take time away from work to care for an injured child and make transportation arrangements or modifications to their home that they did not previously need. These financial pressures can become especially difficult when a child’s recovery takes weeks, months, or longer.
When evaluating a potential claim, a child injury lawyer in Northglenn can review both the expenses that have already occurred and the potential costs associated with the child’s future needs. Keeping medical bills, receipts, appointment records, and other documentation can help demonstrate the true financial impact of your child’s injury.
The nature and severity of the injury also matter when evaluating potential damages. Some injuries may resolve relatively quickly, while others can affect a child’s development, education, physical abilities, or quality of life. Parents should not assume that an injury is minor simply because their child appears to recover quickly after the initial incident.
Liability in Child Injury Cases Can Be Complicated
Determining who caused a child’s injury can require careful investigation. Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include an individual caregiver, daycare provider, school, property owner, business, or another third party. Multiple parties may also share responsibility for an incident.
For example, a child could suffer an injury because an employee failed to provide adequate supervision, a dangerous condition existed on the property, or an organization failed to follow appropriate safety procedures. The facts of each case determine whether a particular party may have legal responsibility.
Our Northglenn child injury attorneys can examine the circumstances and identify potentially responsible parties instead of relying solely on an incident report. This may involve reviewing policies and procedures, speaking with witnesses, obtaining relevant records, and examining the child’s medical documentation.
Parents should also act promptly after a serious injury. Important records can become harder to obtain, witnesses’ memories can fade, and deadlines may apply to potential claims. Speaking with a personal injury attorney early can help parents understand their legal options while they focus on their child’s recovery.
Contact Our Child Injury Attorneys in Northglenn for Help Today
We understand how devastating an injury to your child can be, and you deserve help from compassionate Northglenn child injury lawyers. When we work your case, we will determine accurate damages, including out-of-pocket expenses you have already incurred and future expenses. Hull & Zimmerman understands how to navigate these time-sensitive, stressful, and emotionally charged legal situations. Reach out today for help with your case.