When you send your child to a day care, you expect that they will be protected from abuse, neglect, and dangerous conditions. If your child was harmed because that didn’t happen, a Washington, D.C., personal injury lawyer can help you pursue accountability.
The lawyers at Jenner Law have over 70 years of combined legal experience. If your child was physically, emotionally, or sexually abused at a day care center, a day care abuse lawyer in Washington, D.C., can guide you as you seek compensation for their mistreatment.
How a Washington, D.C., Day Care Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Day care abuse and neglect cases often require in-depth investigations and extensive evidence-gathering. A Washington, D.C., day care abuse lawyer can assist with your case by:
- Investigating the incident: A lawyer can gather available evidence and determine how the abuse or neglect occurred.
- Gathering medical evidence: Medical records can help establish the nature and extent of your child’s physical or psychological injuries.
- Working with professionals: A lawyer can consult experts who can evaluate your child’s injuries or the facility’s practices and provide testimony that supports your claim.
- Handling insurance companies: A lawyer can communicate with the day care and its insurers and work to negotiate a fair settlement on your family’s behalf.
- Pursuing litigation: If settlement talks fail, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and fight for your family in court.
At Jenner Law, we know that what you and your family are going through is deeply personal. When a child is hurt while under the care of someone you trusted, it can feel like a betrayal.
We are here to offer compassionate assistance as you process the situation and work your way through the legal system in pursuit of compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a day care abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
What Types of Compensation Can You Seek?
You can pursue a variety of damages in a day care abuse case, such as:
- Medical expenses: You may be able to recover the costs of your child’s emergency treatment, physician visits, medications, hospitalization, and other necessary medical care.
- Counseling and therapy: You can seek compensation for psychological treatment and counseling your child needs because of the abuse.
- Future treatment: If your child requires ongoing medical or psychological care, future treatment costs may be included in your claim.
- Pain and suffering: You can pursue compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the abuse or resulting injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Your settlement may account for ways serious injuries or trauma affect your child’s ability to participate in normal childhood activities.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving gross negligence or extreme misconduct, additional damages may be available.
What Is the Deadline to File a Claim in Washington, D.C.?
In most cases, D.C. Code § 12-301(8) gives you three years from the date of your child’s injury to file a personal injury lawsuit for day care abuse on their behalf. In addition, your child generally has until their 21st birthday to bring a lawsuit themself.
If your child was sexually abused, you have until either their 40th birthday or five years from your discovery of the abuse (whichever is later) to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Since missing the applicable filing deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation, it is important to consult a day care abuse attorney in Washington, D.C., immediately after you learn of your child’s mistreatment.
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How Do You Prove Day Care Abuse?
Types of evidence that can help you prove day care abuse include:
- Photographs of visible injuries
- Medical records and bills
- Statements made by your child
- Communications with day care employees or administrators
- Emails and text messages
- Incident reports
- Surveillance video
- Attendance records
- Employee schedules
- Witness statements
- Licensing and inspection records
- Previous complaints concerning the facility
- Police or child protective services records
- Documentation of counseling or psychological treatment
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Common Causes of Day Care Injuries
Not every day care injury is caused by intentional abuse. Potential causes of day care injuries include:
- Inadequate supervision
- An insufficient employee-to-child ratio
- Unsafe playground equipment
- Failure to follow safety procedures
- Failure to properly screen or supervise employees
- Improper handling or restraint of children
- Failure to respond appropriately to medical emergencies
- Leaving children unattended
- Failure to recognize or respond to signs of abuse
- Failure to protect children from known dangerous individuals
Why Hire Jenner Law?
When it comes to day care abuse cases, who you choose to represent your family matters. Here’s why families choose Jenner Law:
- Extensive litigation experience: We have extensive experience and a successful track record in complex mass tort and class action litigation against major corporations.
- Millions recovered: We have recovered millions of dollars for injury victims and their families, including a couple whose infant suffered severe burn injuries because of neglect at a day care center.
- Trauma-informed training: Our lawyers and paralegals have received trauma and cognitive interview training at the Center for Hope.
- Personalized attention: We give all of our clients the personalized attention they deserve and take the time to understand how an injury has affected your family.
- Contingency representation: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not have to pay attorney fees upfront or out of pocket while pursuing your claim.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Day Care Abuse?
If you suspect your child has been abused, you should:
- Take them to a doctor: Get your child evaluated if they have physical injuries or other health issues.
- Report the abuse: File a report with D.C. Child and Family Services.
- Document what you observe: Photograph your child’s injuries and keep written records of concerning behavior or statements they’ve made.
- Save communications: Keep texts, emails, messages, and other communications with the day care.
- Write down what happened: Record important dates, times, names, and other details while they are still fresh in your memory.
- Avoid confronting employees: Allow your lawyer and local authorities to conduct their investigations rather than confronting individuals who work at the day care center.
- Consult an attorney: Our personal injury lawyers can review your case and break down your legal options.
Speak to a Day Care Abuse Attorney in Washington, D.C.
You should never have to worry about your child’s safety when you leave them at a day care center. If your child was harmed because of neglect or abuse at one of these facilities, a Washington, D.C., day care abuse attorney from Jenner Law can help you file a claim and pursue a fair settlement.
Book a free consultation to find out more about your legal options.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form