St. Louis Daycare Injury lawyer
St. Louis Daycare Injury Lawyer
As a parent, you trusted a daycare in St. Louis to care for your child. But instead of caring for them, your child became a victim of abuse and neglect.
For over a decade, our St. Louis daycare injury lawyers have successfully fought against the largest daycare facilities in St. Louis. We have a track record of securing large confidential settlements on behalf of our clients.
We can help you pursue compensation for the injuries the daycare caused, restore the peace of mind that they stole from you, and make sure this never happens to another child at that facility.
We never get paid until we win. Call us today for a free consultation 314-987-0009
Warning Signs of Daycare Negligence and Abuse
Recognizing the warning signs of daycare negligence and abuse is crucial to protecting your child’s safety and well-being.
Physical Warning Signs
- Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones that your child cannot explain, or that are inconsistent with the daycare’s account, may indicate negligence or abuse.
- Signs of Physical Restraint: Marks on wrists, arms, or legs could suggest improper or abusive handling.
- Poor Hygiene: Consistently dirty clothing, diapers left unchanged, or bad odors may point to neglect.
Behavioral Changes
- Sudden Aggression or Fear: If your child becomes unusually aggressive, withdrawn, or fearful, especially around daycare staff, it could signal emotional or physical mistreatment.
- Regressive Behavior: Behaviors like bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or clinging more than usual may indicate distress.
- Loss of Appetite or Sleep Issues: Sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits could be signs of emotional stress.
Environmental Red Flags
- Lack of Supervision: If you notice children left unattended or an insufficient adult-to-child ratio, this could lead to dangerous situations.
- Unsafe Conditions: Broken toys, hazardous materials, or a lack of basic cleanliness are signs of a poorly managed daycare.
- Restricted Access: If the daycare restricts your ability to observe or visit unexpectedly, it may be hiding improper practices.
Communication Concerns
- Reluctance to Discuss Issues: If staff seem evasive or defensive when you ask questions, it could indicate a problem.
- Inconsistent Reports: Frequent discrepancies between what staff say and what your child experiences can be a red flag.
- Lack of Documentation: Failure to maintain records of accidents, injuries, or incidents can suggest negligence or a lack of accountability.
Common Injuries at Daycares in St. Louis
When daycare injuries result from negligence, they often fall into one of the following categories:
- Slip-and-Fall Injuries: Wet floors, cluttered play areas, or uneven surfaces can lead to falls causing cuts, bruises, broken bones, or head injuries.
- Playground Accidents: Improperly maintained equipment, lack of supervision, or unsafe play areas can lead to severe injuries like fractures or concussions.
- Burns or Electrical Shocks: Exposed electrical outlets, hot surfaces, or improperly stored cleaning supplies can pose serious hazards.
- Choking or Poisoning: Small objects, unsafe toys, or access to toxic substances can result in life-threatening emergencies.
- Physical Abuse: In the worst cases, injuries such as bruises, fractures, or other signs of mistreatment may indicate abuse by daycare staff.
Common Causes of St. Louis Daycare Injuries
While some accidents are unavoidable, many daycare injuries can be traced back to negligence or misconduct, such as:
- Inadequate Supervision: Staff failing to properly monitor children can lead to preventable accidents.
- Understaffed Facilities: Daycares operating with insufficient staff often struggle to provide the attention and care children need.
- Unsafe Premises: Failure to repair hazards, secure play equipment, or maintain clean and safe spaces can lead to injuries.
- Improper Training: Staff who are untrained or underqualified may not know how to respond to emergencies or prevent dangerous situations.
Damages in St. Louis Daycare Injury Cases
In St. Louis daycare injury lawsuits plaintiffs can recover numerous kinds of damages, including:
- Medical Costs: Medical expenses incurred due to the injury, including hospitalizations and surgeries.
- Loss of Quality of Life: Damages for the effect on the child’s ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed or other aspects of their normal life.
- Emotional Harm: Financial restitution for the emotional and mental toll on the child and their family, including issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional distress experienced by the child as a result of the injury or abuse.
- Loss of Future Earnings Potential: If the injury significantly impacts the child’s ability to work or earn money later in life.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: If the injury leads to a disability or permanent physical changes, damages may be collected for this.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Reimbursement for additional costs related to the injury.
- Punitive Damages: In horrific cases, the court may award punitive damages to prevent similar future misconduct by the daycare.
- Wrongful Death Compensation: If the injury is fatal, the family may recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, etc.
What To Do if Your Child is Injured at a Daycare in St. Louis
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your child’s health and safety are the top priorities. Even if the injury seems minor, have your child evaluated by a medical professional. Some injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, may not show immediate symptoms.
Document the Injury
Take photographs of your child’s injury as soon as possible. Keep records of medical evaluations, treatments, and any follow-up care. This documentation will be essential if you pursue legal action.
Ask Questions and Request Incident Reports
Speak with the daycare staff to understand what happened. Request a copy of the facility’s written incident report and take note of any inconsistencies or vague responses.
Gather Evidence
If possible, collect evidence from the scene of the injury. This might include photos of hazardous conditions, poorly maintained equipment, or unsafe areas. If other parents or staff members witnessed the incident, ask for their contact information.
Report the Incident to Authorities
In Missouri, daycare facilities are required to comply with state licensing and safety standards. Report the incident to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services if you suspect negligence, abuse, or noncompliance with regulations.
Contact our Daycare Attorneys
Navigating a daycare injury case can be complex, especially if the daycare denies responsibility or tries to downplay the situation. Our experienced St. Louis daycare lawyers can help investigate the incident, determine liability, and pursue compensation for your child’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
St. Louis Laws About Daycare Abuse
Local Resources for Victims of Daycare Abuse in St. Louis
There are many resources for victims of daycare abuse in St. Louis. The Children’s Division is a great place to start, along with their Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline.
The Government of St. Louis also has resources about Child Abuse and Neglect, and St. Louis Child Protective Services can intervene if necessary.
Daycares in St. Louis
Statistics on the safety of daycares in St. Louis are not favorable. According to a report published by Child Aware of America, unlicensed daycares in St. Louis are responsible for the death of around 12 children each year.
This unfortunate reality makes finding a good daycare in St. Louis particularly important. Thankfully, there are many online resources to help parents learn more about daycares in St. Louis.
Below is a list of daycares in St. Louis.
- 4411 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63116
- (314) 772-6611
St. Louis Public School District Preschool Program
- 801 North 11th Street, St. Louis, MO 63101
- (314) 331-6150
Southside Early Childhood Center
- 2101 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
- (314) 865-0322
Cornerstone Center for Early Learning
- 3901 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
- (314) 865-5244
- 607 N 22nd St, St. Louis, MO 63103
- (314) 621-1131
- 4501 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
- (314) 352-2123
Contact Our St. Louis Daycare Injury Lawyers Today
If your child has been injured while in the care of a daycare facility, it is crucial to seek legal assistance to protect their rights and secure the compensation they deserve.
Our experienced St. Louis daycare injury lawyers are experienced in cases involving child injuries caused by negligence or abuse in daycare settings.
Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you navigate the legal process, pursue fair compensation, and provide the support your family needs during this difficult time.
Kevin Etzkorn
Founding Partner
Kevin Etzkorn became an attorney to help victims of daycare abuse fight for justice and compensation. With 20 years of experience handling high-stakes cases in Missouri and Illinois, Kevin knows how to ensure your family gets the legal representation they deserve.
It's Easy To Get Started
If your child is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, submit your information for a free case evaluation. Once we have your information, we will contact you, usually within 24 hours. And you will not owe anything for a case review.
Call: (314) 987-0009
Text: (314) 804-0953