According to the Texas Health and Human Services Department, on average, there are around 680 severe injuries and fatalities involving children under four years old in licensed Texas daycare centers each year.
This number only includes incidents at daycare facilities that are licensed and choose to report the injuries. Imagine how many daycare injuries go unreported each year.
Although required by law, daycare centers sometimes hesitate to file an incident report after a child is injured because the daycare's lack of supervision or negligence may have caused the injury. If that’s the case and the daycare facility is unwilling to provide you with an incident report after your child is injured, here’s what you can do.
Important Steps to Take If You Didn't Get an Incident Report
Take a piece of paper and write down this important information. Start with the basics. Clearly document the date, time, and location of the incident. These details provide a foundation for understanding the circumstances surrounding your child's injury.
Next, provide a detailed description of the incident. Include details you were told, how you found out about the incident, and what actions the caregivers took. Be as thorough as possible to paint a clear picture.
Then, identify any witnesses and gather their statements. Eyewitness accounts can be invaluable in verifying the events, providing additional perspectives, and strengthening your case if legal action becomes necessary.
Finally, list all of the injuries your child sustained and the immediate care provided. If it’s a serious injury, documenting this information will be crucial for both medical treatment and potential legal action.
Sign the incident report and give the daycare a copy when you are finished. It is important that you also keep a copy of the report for yourself, in case the daycare tries to deny its existence later on.
The Importance of an Incident Report
Remember, your child's safety is the top priority. Filing an incident report can hold the daycare accountable for its actions and can prevent future incidents from happening to other children.
If you have more questions about daycare injuries but aren’t ready to talk to us just yet, we’ve created a free, 5-step guide on what to do after a daycare injury. It’s linked here.
If your child has suffered an injury at daycare, you don’t have to go through it alone. At The Button Law Firm, we want to ensure that your family not only gets the justice you deserve but also that you have a support system as you navigate the aftermath of a daycare injury. We're here to keep you and your family moving forward.
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