Children Drugged at Daycare

Children Drugged at Daycares in Texas

Daycare and childcare facilities are giving children antihistamines like Benadryl or over-the-counter sleep aids like melatonin to make them tired. Overwhelmed and unqualified workers go to these extreme measures to make their job easier. As shocking as it is, these events occur more often than you can imagine. A sampling of headlines from news stories read: “4 Arrested After Melatonin Was Given to Children at Daycare,” “Drugged at Daycare,” and “Texas Daycare Owner Accused of Spiking Kids’ Milk with Sleep Inducing Drugs.” This is wrong and unacceptable on many levels. In fact, giving children any type of medication without a parent’s knowledge or consent is a form of daycare abuse.

If your child has been drugged or improperly medicated at daycare, contact our team of daycare abuse lawyers at The Button Law Firm. We have experience advocating for innocent children in Texas and their families and can help you seek compensation for your child’s injuries.

Children’s Medication Laws in Texas

In Texas, there are strict rules meant to protect children and prevent them from being drugged or improperly medicated while they are at a daycare or childcare center. The standards outlined by Texas Health and Human Services state that a daycare must get permission from a parent before giving a child any type of medication, whether it is an over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol or a medication prescribed by the child’s doctor. A parent must give the daycare permission in one of the following ways:

1. Handwritten authorization that is signed and dated
2. An electronic format like Docusign or a PDF file that is capable of being viewed and saved
3. Verbal consent via a telephone call, allowing a worker to administer a single dose of medication

The first two parental permissions at daycare only last one year. In the event of an emergency and a child’s life is at risk, preauthorization is not required as long as the medicine is given as it is intended.

In addition, it is the daycare’s responsibility to ensure that all staff members are properly trained and knowledgeable of these important rules. Daycares and childcare centers also need to have protocols in place to make sure children only receive medications that their parents have approved in the correct doses.

What Happens When Kids are Drugged at Daycare?

When a parent isn’t aware of medications given to their child, the situation can turn dangerous in a matter of seconds. A child can have an allergic reaction that results in hives or throat swelling. In some cases, a child may have a severe reaction to unauthorized medications, such as going into anaphylactic shock or experiencing a seizure, requiring immediate medical attention.

Sometimes, a daycare provider can give a child the wrong dose of a medication even if a parent has given permission for administration of the drug. Too much of a strong medicine can have deadly consequences for a child’s small body, sending the youngster to the emergency room.

How to Tell If Your Child is Drugged or Improperly Medicated at a Texas Daycare

It can be hard for parents to tell if their child has been given any medication without their knowledge. This type of daycare abuse doesn’t always have noticeable physical signs, so it is important that parents pay attention to their child’s behavior. Common behavioral changes include:

• Change in sleep patterns and behaviors, including frequent nightmares and bedwetting
• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequent temper tantrums and outbursts
• Signs of anxiety or depression
• Social anxiety such as no longer wanting to play with friends

If you suspect that your child has been drugged or improperly medicated at daycare, your child and family may be eligible for compensation to cover: 

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering

In the instance that your child has tragically passed away because of medication given at a daycare or childcare center, your family may be eligible for compensation to cover:

• Funeral expenses
• Medical expenses incurred prior to the child’s passing away
• Other unexpected costly fees

Our team of experienced daycare abuse attorneys at The Button Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for you and your family following an incident where your child was drugged or improperly medicated at daycare. With offices in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, we are ready to listen, fight for your family, and help your family move forward. Call us at 214-699-4409 or fill out a contact form.

More Information on Daycares Drugging or Improperly Medicating Kids

1. What Parents Need to Know About Drugging of Children at Daycare

Frequently Asked Questions About Helping You File a Children’s Daycare Drugging Claim Against a Texas Daycare

How much does it cost to file a claim?

At The Button Law Firm, we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. We work on contingency. This way, your family can focus on helping your child recover from the abuse while we focus on advocating and fighting for you. Call us at 214-699-4409 or fill out a contact form.      

Who do you represent?

We advocate for innocent children harmed from being drugged or improperly medicated at daycare and for the children’s families. Our team of attorneys can also help the family members of loved ones who passed away due to daycare abuse and neglect. With offices in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, we are ready to advocate for your family anywhere in the Lone Star State. 

How can I file a claim?

Simply contact our team of expert daycare injury lawyers by calling 214-699-4409 or filling out a contact form, and we can determine the best way to help you.

Is there a time limit to file a claim?

Children who were seriously harmed, injured, or killed because of improper medication administered at daycare and their parents have two years to file a claim. Contact our team of daycare injury lawyers today at 214-699-4409 or fill out a contact form and we can determine how the legal statutes impact your case.  

Why should I work with The Button Law Firm?

We are dedicated to helping children and their families who have experienced daycare injuries, including children who were drugged or improperly medicated. Our daycare injury lawyers are ready to listen to you, advocate for your family, and help you hold negligent parties accountable. See what our past clients have to say about working with us to handle their legal matters.