The moment you discover your child has been injured at daycare, your world turns upside down. You carefully researched facilities, asked all the right questions, and finally, trusted these caregivers with your most precious loved one. While children are prone to scuffs and scrapes in a daycare environment—or virtually any environment—these are most often the result of an unavoidable accident, and nothing to file a lawsuit over. However, if the incident was avoidable, and caused by staff negligence or a hazard on the premises, you have a right to justice.
At Finney Injury Law, we understand the heartbreak and anger parents feel when providers breach their duty to keep children safe. Our St. Louis childcare and daycare injury trial attorneys have helped numerous families protect their rights when facilities fail to maintain proper supervision, hire unqualified staff, or create unsafe environments. We recognize that these cases aren't just about compensation—they're about protecting your child and preventing other families from experiencing similar trauma.
Understanding Childcare and Daycare Injuries in Missouri and Illinois
While many childcare providers operate safely and responsibly, others cut corners in ways that put children at risk. Our compassionate legal team handles cases involving:
- Lack of supervision. Many daycare injuries happen when staff members fail to watch children properly. This negligence can lead to bottle or chemical burns, falls from playground equipment, children wandering into unsafe areas, or injuries caused by other children without intervention.
- Inadequate staff training. Caregivers must know how to respond to emergencies, recognize safety hazards, and provide age-appropriate care. When facilities hire untrained staff or fail to provide proper training, children suffer the consequences.
- Unsafe facilities. Broken equipment, exposed electrical outlets, toxic cleaning supplies within reach, and other hazards frequently cause serious injuries.
- Medication errors. When staff members administer incorrect medications or wrong dosages, or fail to give prescribed treatments as directed, children may experience serious health complications.
- Abuse. In the most disturbing cases, childcare workers may intentionally harm children through physical discipline, emotional manipulation, or even sexual abuse.
Whether your little one suffered a seemingly minor injury or a life-threatening condition due to daycare negligence, Finney Injury Law's St. Louis daycare injury attorneys offer you considerable patience and guidance so you fully understand all legal options and have the confidence to choose the best path forward.
Recognizing Signs of Daycare and Childcare Negligence
Parents often struggle to identify when injuries result from normal childhood accidents or negligent care. Here are some common red flags:
- Your child’s fear or anxiety about going to daycare.
- Sudden behavioral changes like sleep disturbances, increased aggression, or regression in toilet training.
- Recurring injuries that the facility can't or won't explain clearly.
- Inconsistent explanations from staff about how injuries occurred.
- Other parents reporting similar concerns or injuries to their children.
- High staff turnover or understaffing during drop-off or pick-up times.
- Restricted access to certain areas of the facility during normal hours.
If you notice any of these signs, document your observations, communicate your concerns in writing, and consult with our experienced St. Louis childcare injury lawyers to discuss your situation. Early intervention helps protect your child and creates a stronger legal case if misconduct is involved.
How Finney Injury Law Trial Attorneys Prove Childcare Liability
Building a successful daycare injury case requires proving that a facility or its employees were negligent and this wrongdoing directly caused your child's injuries. Care providers in Missouri and Illinois have a legal and ethical duty of care to ensure the safety, well-being, and development of the children under their supervision. This duty encompasses various responsibilities, including maintaining a safe environment, providing appropriate supervision, and adhering to state-specific regulations.
- In Missouri, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Childhood oversees daycare facilities.
- In Illinois, the Department of Children and Family Services regulates childcare providers under Illinois Administrative Code 89, § 407.100.
In both states, childcare providers are expected to act in the best interests of the children, providing a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment. Compliance with state regulations and a commitment to ethical caregiving practices are essential components of fulfilling their duty of care. The attorneys at Finney Injury Law approach these sensitive cases with legal skill and genuine compassion for your family's situation. Our proven strategy includes:
- Thorough investigation. We work quickly to gather evidence before it disappears, including surveillance footage, facility records, staff qualifications, and witness statements from other parents or employees.
- Regulatory review. Our team examines whether the facility violated state licensing requirements, health department regulations, or other legal standards that apply to childcare providers in Missouri and Illinois.
- Expert consultation. We collaborate with childcare safety experts, medical professionals, and child psychologists who can testify about industry standards, the nature of your child's injuries, and the potential long-term effects of the trauma.
- Detailed documentation. We help you compile comprehensive medical records, photographs of injuries, communication with the facility, and other evidence that strengthens your case.
Our intention is to prepare each case as if it will go to trial, giving us leverage during negotiations and ensuring we're ready to fight for your child in court if necessary.
Types of Compensation Available for Daycare Injuries
When your loved one suffers an injury due to childcare negligence, various types of compensation may be available to address both current and future needs. Our lawyers take the utmost care when considering all aspects of your child’s future and current welfare, laying the groundwork for their healthful recovery. Economic and non-economic damages your family might be entitled to include, but aren’t limited to:
- Medical expenses. This includes emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, psychological counseling, and anticipated future medical needs related to the injury.
- Pain and suffering. Children who experience significant pain or emotional trauma deserve compensation, even though no amount of money can truly make up for what they've endured.
- Emotional distress. Parents may also experience compensable trauma when their young one is injured due to negligent childcare.
- Lost wages. If you've missed work to care for your child or attend medical appointments, our legal team may deem it necessary to outline this financial hardship in your claim.
- Loss of normal life. When injuries impact your child's ability to engage in normal activities or developmental milestones, a proper settlement might address these significant losses.
Why Choose Finney Injury Law for Your Child's Daycare Injury Case
When your family faces the complications of a daycare injury, you need more than just legal representation—you need advocates who truly care about your child's well-being and future. When you choose Finney Injury Law, you benefit from:
- Personal attention from experienced attorneys. Unlike firms where cases are handed off to paralegals, our attorneys remain directly involved in your case from start to finish.
- Trial-focused approach. Insurance companies know we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often results in better settlement offers without the need for court.
- Limited caseload. We intentionally handle fewer cases than many firms, allowing us to dedicate the time and resources your family deserves during this difficult time.
- No upfront costs. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your child's injuries.
- Compassionate guidance. Beyond legal strategy, we help families handle the emotional challenges of pursuing justice while caring for an injured child.
We understand these cases are about more than money—they're about holding negligent parties accountable and protecting other children from harm. Your family deserves fearless advocacy—and results you can count on.