According to a 2023 report from the Bipartisan Policy Center, in Missouri, there are 440,587 children under the age of five. While the number of children in this age group who live in households where both parents work full-time is slightly higher than the national figure (75 percent vs. 71 percent), 22 percent of those households in Missouri live below the poverty line ($24,860). With an average cost of daycare in Missouri at $7,014, a substantial portion of the median household income goes to pay for childcare. If your family pays this much of their hard-earned dollars to ensure your children are being properly cared for, it can be dismaying to learn that the neglect or inattentiveness of daycare staff led to your child’s burn injury. While it is normal that you are upset, or even angry about your child’s injury, it is important that after seeking medical attention for your child you contact a knowledgeable Kansas City daycare burn injury attorney from Finney Injury Law.
Why Choose a Kansas City Daycare Burn Injury Attorney from Finney Injury Law?
One of the worst nightmares for most parents would be daycare negligence or abuse which results in injury. When caregivers fail to act appropriately or the facility is not safe from hazards, it could be time to turn to the legal system to provide justice and accountability. Even a temporary lapse in vigilance in a daycare facility can result in tragic consequences for a child. Daycare providers must always act in a manner that keeps the children in their care safe and secure. All too often burn injuries in a daycare facility are due to lack of supervision or hazards in the environment which have not been addressed and corrected.
Choosing Finney Injury Law following a daycare burn injury is the best decision you can make for your future and that of your child. We are highly experienced attorneys who prepare every case as though it will go to trial. This means we are always prepared for any eventuality. If a case will benefit from litigation, we have an award-winning trial lawyer on staff who will fight for the verdict you deserve. With many reviews to our credit, we have extended availability (24/7) and offer flexible appointment options.
At Finney Injury Law, we want you to feel respected and comfortable, so we have both English and Spanish-speaking staff members and offer a free consultation where we will answer all your questions in an easy-to-understand manner. If you are looking for a Kansas City daycare burn injury attorney who prioritizes client care and whose experience, knowledge, and skills are unparalleled, call Finney Injury Law.
What Are the Most Common Burn Injuries in a Daycare?
Unfortunately, burn injuries are all too common in a daycare setting. Many of these burn injuries are the results of bottle warmers, however, burns can also result from toxic chemicals like cleaning fluids. Bottle warmers are great for warming milk for babies and toddlers with no hotspots as you could get from a microwave. Unfortunately, small hands can pull on an exposed cord, pulling the bottle warmer over onto them, causing burns to the face and body, or, if the warmer is in an accessible area, a child can put their hands into the hot water, causing burns to their hands. Chemical burns can result when children have access to harsh cleaners, bug or mouse poisons, or bleach and ammonia. Burns can also be the result of contact with hot objects or liquids. These burns often occur in a kitchen, when a child pulls the handle of a saucepan, spilling the hot contents onto them.
How Do Burns Typically Happen in a Daycare Setting?
According to a 2022 study published in the National Library of Medicine, burn injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among children (and the fifth most common cause of non-fatal childhood injuries). Bottle warmers are the primary cause of thermal burns, ranging from mild to severe. Depending on the severity of the burn, a child can experience first, second, or third-degree burns which can potentially cause muscle or tissue damage, painful blisters and peeling skin, and severe pain and discomfort. Serious burn injuries can require long-term care, intense medical treatments and procedures, and expensive rehabilitative therapies. A severe burn injury can also significantly impact a young child’s psychological and emotional well-being.
If Your Child Sustains a Burn Injury While at Daycare, What Should You Do?
The priority following a burn injury to your child while at daycare is always getting immediate medical attention. You may take your child to an ER, an urgent care clinic, or, for less severe burns, to your regular pediatrician. Once you have attended to your child’s medical needs, ask the daycare for an incident report that will provide a written record of what happened to cause the burn injury from the staff’s perspective.
If you suspect negligence or abuse caused the burn injury, you may want to report the incident to your local authorities. If you are uncertain whether you should report the incident, contact a knowledgeable Kansas City daycare burn injury attorney from Finney Injury Law. We can assess the situation and help you decide what steps you need to take to protect your child’s rights. Make sure you keep track of any correspondence from the childcare facility and its employees. If you receive text messages, take a screenshot, and make copies of emails, physical letters, and photographs about the burn injury.
How Can Hiring a Kansas City Daycare Burn Injury Attorney from Finney Injury Law Help?
When you choose Finney Injury Law, we will immediately be ready to listen and advise you and your family on the best approach to hold the daycare accountable for your child’s burn injuries. Remember, there is a five-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury to file a burn injury lawsuit. While this may sound like a long time, it is always better to speak to an attorney as soon after the incident as possible, simply because memories are fresh, and you have access to any potential witnesses.
Our skilled attorneys and staff understand the devastating effects a burn injury can have on your child and your family. We will take the time to listen to you and your unique situation because we believe every case benefits from personalized attention. At Finney Injury Law, we provide exceptional legal representation to help you get justice. If you want to ensure your family’s future is in caring, capable hands, contact Finney Injury Law today.