When you pick your child up from daycare, you assume he or she has been carefully watched throughout the day, all their needs attended to, and that their safety has been a top priority. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Perhaps one day, you pick up your child only to find they have significant chemical burns on their skin—perhaps their face, their hands or arms, or elsewhere on the body if the chemical was spilled. These burns may be minor, causing only a rash, or could be severe, requiring hospitalization.
Keeping children safe at a daycare facility is of utmost importance. Part of this responsibility involves preventing children from accessing potentially harmful chemicals. Even a brightly colored bottle may not alert a toddler to the danger inside. Therefore, it’s the facility’s responsibility to ensure that chemicals are stored securely and out of reach of young children.
If your child has received chemical burns while in a daycare facility, you need a dedicated Missouri daycare chemical burns lawyer from Finney Injury Law on your side. We understand what you are going through and how traumatic this situation can be. We will go out of our way to help you through this difficult time in the best way possible, handling all the legalities of the situation while giving you the time you need to help your child heal.
Why Choose a Missouri Daycare Chemical Burns Lawyer from Finney Injury Law?
Choosing a Missouri daycare chemical burns lawyer from Finney Injury Law can feel overwhelming. We believe that once you have spoken to an attorney from our firm, your choice will be one of the easiest decisions you must make. We work hard for our clients every step of the way, no matter the challenge or situation. With more than 100 positive client reviews, we are available to our clients 24/7 to answer your questions and aid you in any way possible.
If your child is too injured for you to travel, we can offer virtual appointments, allowing you to meet with our legal team and be present for your family. While most cases do not see the inside of a courtroom, our attorneys prepare every case as though it will go to trial—comprehensively and completely. Our award-winning trial lawyers have the necessary trial experience to fight for you and your family, achieving a winning verdict.
What Are the Types of Chemical Burns?
Chemical burns come in three types: superficial, partial thickness, and full thickness. Superficial burns affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing painful reddening that eventually goes away with little harm done. Partial-thickness burns are more serious, affecting the skin deeper and leaving blisters, swelling, and scars. Full-thickness burns are the most severe and dangerous, penetrating all skin layers and sometimes damaging underlying tissues. They can be recognized by the black or white color of the affected area and, surprisingly, the lack of pain since third-degree burn damage has killed the nerve endings.
Each type of burn has its treatment method and potential risks/complications, so it’s crucial to get a proper diagnosis. Even weaker chemicals can cause burns, so identifying a skin reaction may not be immediate, happening hours after exposure.
How Can a Chemical Burn Happen in a Daycare?
Chemical burns are a common injury in daycare facilities, often due to unsupervised access to household cleaners or accidental exposure to automotive and gardening supplies. Young children are particularly vulnerable to these dangers since they don’t recognize the toxic nature of these chemicals and may inadvertently swallow or spill them on their skin, leading to serious physical harm. Inhaling chemical fumes can also cause breathing difficulties; in extreme cases, these substances can even be fatal for small children. As a caregiver, it’s critical to ensure that all hazardous materials are secured safely and out of reach to prevent accidents or injuries.
What Types of Chemicals Present in a Daycare Can Cause an Injury?
The most common chemicals that might be found in a daycare facility include bleach and household cleansers, which could contain one or more of the following chemicals.
- Freon (hydrofluoric acid)
- Hydrochloric acids (muriatic acid)
- Sulfuric acid (battery acid)
- Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
- Cement
- Phosphorous (baking powder, fertilizers, fireworks)
- Gasoline or diesel
- Bitumen (waterproofing substances)
- Tar
- Ammonia
Can You Sue Your Daycare if Your Child is Injured by a Chemical?
If your child’s chemical burns are the result of neglect or other safety issues, you can potentially sue the daycare. Even if you’ve signed a liability waiver, you may still have the right to sue. Generally speaking, these waivers only cover the daycare when an accident is just an accident. If the daycare was not properly watching your child, or they were negligent in making sure the chemicals were stored where the children could not access them, it may not matter whether a waiver of liability was in place. Your child’s daycare has an obligation to protect all children during operating hours.
Through your lawyer, you must prove that the daycare breached its duty to protect and care for your child, that your child was neglected, or that the daycare facility is unfit for children. Whenever possible, document your child’s injuries in every way possible. If you have noted potentially hazardous areas in the daycare facility—which have not been rectified even after speaking to a daycare authority—make sure to take photos of the hazardous areas. If you can secure statements from other parents who noted the same hazards, provide their contact information to your Missouri daycare chemical burns lawyer.
Hiring a Missouri Child Chemical Burns Lawyer from Finney Injury Law Near You
Dealing with a child’s chemical burns is a difficult and emotional experience. At this time, having a trusted Missouri child chemical burns lawyer from Finney Injury Law by your side is crucial to achieving a favorable outcome. We understand the importance of allowing you to focus on your child’s recovery while we take care of the legalities.
Located in St. Louis, we handle personal injury cases throughout Missouri, including Springfield, Branson, Joplin, and Kansas City. Our experienced team has a track record of successfully negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. You can count on us to fight tirelessly for the best possible settlement for you and your family.
As one of the top litigation firms in the St. Louis area, Finney Injury Law is committed to providing our clients with dedicated, thorough, and skilled representation. Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for your child and your family.
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