Common Daycare Injuries in Nacogdoches

In Nacogdoches, Texas, daycare centers play a crucial role in protecting the health and safety of small children. Parents expect daycare centers to provide a safe place for children to learn, play, and grow. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries can occur when the daycare center is negligent, lacks supervision, or has unsafe conditions. At Bivona Law, we understand the devastating impact a daycare injury can have on a child and their family. Below, we outline the most common types of daycare injuries in Nacogdoches, their causes, and how our Nacogdoches daycare lawyer at Bivona Law can help you seek justice and compensation. 

Types of Common Daycare Injuries 

Due to age, curiosity, and developing abilities, children in daycare facilities are particularly susceptible to these injuries. The injuries that commonly occur in daycare facilities in Nacogdoches include:  

Falls and Fractures

Falls are one of the leading causes of daycare injuries. Children may fall from playground equipment, stairs, or furniture when facilities lack proper supervision or maintenance. Injuries that can occur include:  

• Broken bones (e.g., arms, legs, or wrists) 
• Sprains or strains 
• Head injuries, including concussions 
• Bruises or lacerations 

For instance, if a child climbs on a jungle gym without sufficient adult supervision or falls from a slide with a broken safety rail, the child could suffer serious injuries. Bivona Law can research whether the daycare neglected to keep equipment in safe and appropriate working order, and/or provided insufficient supervision.  

Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries are especially frightening in a daycare context, as they may have long-term effects on a child's cognitive and physical development. Head injuries can happen from:  

• Falls from heights (e.g., slides or tables)  
• Collisions with other children or objects  
• Being struck by objects dropping (i.e., unsecured shelves) may lead to Mild concussions, with short-term symptoms, or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and challenges lasting a lifetime, including memory loss or delays in development. Getting the child proper medical attention and ensuring the family attends to the legal needs is paramount.  

Cuts, Scrapes, and Lacerations

Sharp corners, broken toys or parts, or unsafe surfaces can lead to cuts, bruises, or lacerations. While these injuries may not seem serious at first, they can lead to infections and/or scarring if not treated with proper first aid or care. Common causes of cuts, lacerations, or abrasions include:  

• Exposed nails or screws on furniture or playground equipment 
• Broken glass or plastic toys 
• Play areas that are rough or not well-maintained. When a childcare center lacks a regular process for inspecting and maintaining safety in its environment, injuries can occur that might have been avoided.  

Burns and Scalds

Burns can occur when children are exposed to hot surfaces, liquids, or chemicals in a daycare setting. Examples include: 

• Spills from hot food or beverages during meal times 
• Contact with radiators, heaters, or other hot surfaces. 
• Improper handling of cleaning chemicals can cause burns, which can lead to significant pain and require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts in severe cases. A lawyer can help determine if negligence, such as failure to secure hazardous materials, contributed to the injury. 

Choking and Suffocation

In daycare settings, choking hazards pose a considerable danger, particularly for children under age 3, who are likely to put small items in their mouths. Choking factors that affect young children can include:   

• Toys or parts of toys that aren't intended for their age group 
• Improperly cut food or food that's not supervised at mealtime 
• Loose bedding or items in the areas where children nap 

Additionally, there are risks of suffocation from unsafe sleep or play spaces that might be too crowded. Daycares should be expected to have strict safety measures to prevent any incident that could threaten a child's life. 

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

Injuries in daycare are not always physical. Young children sometimes endure emotional burdens, or psychological trauma, from: 

• Bullying by other children, unchecked by staff 
• Verbal or physical abuse by daycare employees 
• Witnessing traumatic events, such as another child’s injury, can lead to anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), affecting a child’s emotional well-being and development. Our Nacogdoches daycare lawyer at Bivona Law can help pursue compensation for emotional damages. 

Illnesses from Unsanitary Conditions

Daycares that do not have adequate sanitation practices can expose children to diseases or infections, including but not limited to:  

• Gastrointestinal illnesses are caused by improper meal preparation and handling.  
• Skin infections due to contaminated surfaces or toys.  
• Respiratory diseases due to inadequate ventilation. These illnesses may require medical care and can be especially harmful for children based on their individual medical history and immune systems. 

Causes of Daycare Injuries in Nacogdoches 

Many daycare injuries are preventable and stem from negligence or failure to comply with Texas childcare regulations. Common causes include: 

• Inadequate Supervision: Low staff-child ratios lead to accidents that could have been avoided with proper supervision.  
• Unsafe Facilities: Broken playground equipment, exposed hazards, or poorly designed play areas all increase the risk of injury.   
• Lack of Staff Training: Untrained or inexperienced staff may struggle to recognize and respond to potential hazards. 
• Failure to Follow Safety Regulations: Daycares must adhere to Texas Health and Human Services childcare licensing standards, including proper equipment maintenance and emergency protocols. 
• Negligent Hiring: Failing to conduct thorough background checks can lead to the hiring of staff unfit to care for children. 

The Legal Implications of Daycare Injuries 

In Texas, daycare facilities have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for children. When they fail to meet this obligation, parents may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. Compensation may cover: 

• Medical Expenses: Costs for hospital visits, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation. 
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional toll on your child. 
• Future Medical Costs: Expenses for ongoing care, such as therapy or treatment for permanent injuries. 
• Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological impacts, such as fear or anxiety. 
• Parental Losses: Reimbursement for lost wages or expenses incurred while caring for an injured child. 

In Texas, the statute of limitations to file a civil injury lawsuit on behalf of a child lasts two years. Possible exceptions may apply (such as the discovery rule or tolling until the child reaches 18). It is best to consult an attorney promptly to ensure that you meet all the necessary legal deadlines.  

How Bivona Law Can Help 

At Bivona Law, we fight for children injured at daycare centers in Nacogdoches, Texas. Here is how we help you and your family:  

• Free Consultations: Talk to us about your case at no cost.  
• Contingency Fee Basis: We don’t get paid unless you get paid!  
• Handling Insurance Companies: We handle claims to obtain a fair settlement. 
• Coordinating Medical Care: We connect you with trusted medical professionals for your child’s recovery.  
• Transparent Communication: Our motto is No runaround. No dodging calls. No legal mumbo jumbo. No ego. No BS. 

Our team, led by Drew Bivona, thoroughly investigates daycare injury cases, gathering evidence such as incident reports, witness statements, and safety regulation records. We work with experts to assess the injury’s impact and build a strong case to hold negligent parties accountable. 

Steps to Take After a Daycare Injury 

If your child is injured at a daycare in Nacogdoches, take these steps to protect their rights: 

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care: Have your child treated and make notes of the injury. 
2. Report the Incident: Notify the daycare and request a written report detailing the incident. 
3. Gather Evidence: Take pictures of the injury, accident scene, or unsafe conditions in the daycare, document the doctor's visits, and record all medical expenses. 
4. Contact Bivona Law: Reach us by phone or through our online form for a free consultation. 

Why Nacogdoches Families Choose Bivona Law 

Bivona Law is committed to serving Nacogdoches and the surrounding areas, including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Beaumont, and Austin. We combine legal expertise with a compassionate, client-first approach, ensuring you feel supported throughout the legal process. We want to reduce the pressure of pursuing a claim so that you can concentrate on your child's recovery.  

Contact Bivona Law Today 

If your child was injured at a Nacogdoches daycare, we encourage you to reach out for legal help. There can be lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts, so you deserve an attorney with the knowledge and experience to protect your family. Contact Bivona Law for a free consultation by phone or complete the contact form on our website. We are here to be your child’s voice and help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.