Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Day Care Centers are subject to State rules and regulations as well as internal and company wide policies and procedures. When these regulations, policies, and procedures are followed by day care centers, there is a strong likelihood that the day care center is clean, safe, and well staffed. Most policies are in place for the protection and well being of the children under the care of the day care center. It is important that the day care center have proper staff to child ratios, well maintained indoor and outdoor facilities, emergency procedures, record keeping standards, and other practices in place. When a day care center cuts corners and / or ignores policies, procedures, or regulations, children are put at risk and danger for personal injuries.
While a child is under the care of a babysitter, parent, grandparent, day care center, school, or other person or entity, the child should be provided with a safe and clean living environment. Unfortunately, there are many inexperienced or inpatient child care providers out there who use means to punish or discipline a child that can cause serious personal injuries to the child. The fact that certain disciplinary acts have a long history do not make them safe, legal, or morally right. Using scalding water as a form of discipline can lead to serious personal injuries. In addition, the person, who uses this technique of discipline, may face criminal charges especially in situations in which the abused child is hospitalized or otherwise needs medical care and treatment.
In Atlanta and other States, children are transporting to and from day care centers and schools. Some children are transported by school bus while other children are transported by a school or day care center van. The driver of a school or day care center motor vehicle should obey speed limits and traffic control devices. Furthermore, the driver should pay close attention to traffic and road conditions. It is vital that distractions are kept to a minimum and that the driver focus his or her attention on the job of driving and keep the children safe. Unfortunately, children are injured while being transported due to the negligence of the school bus or day care center driver OR the negligent driving of other motor vehicles. Either way, children are put in harm’s way and suffer personal injuries. Some injuries can be addressed by a kind word and a first aid kit. Other personal inuries from a school bus or day care center accident are more severe and require the treatment and evaluation by a local emergency room and follow up by medical specialists.
Should day care centers use GPS and video technology to communicate with parents? While there are some who would argue that we are overly tethered to our technology, most parents and the general public would probably favor technology in day care centers that help promote safety, oversight, and communication with parents. We live in a world filled with single moms, single dads, two income families, and other circumstances that require the use of a day care center. While most parents would rather spend the day with their children rather than at work, economic necessity and practicality come into play when selecting a day care center. The burden and stress relating to the use of day care centers can be lessened to some extent through technology, oversight, and accountability. Some day care centers are embracing and using new technology with great enthusiasm. Furthermore, these day care centers can use the availability and use of technology as a “sales pitch” of sorts to parents considering a day care center. For instance, a parent can get text alerts and photo alerts from some day care centers providing a status of the child’s condition and activity during the day. Some may believe that getting a text every time a diaper is changed is micro managing but it is better to micro manage than to have a child forgotten and in a wet or soiled diaper during the day. Most day care centers do a fine job with the children and supervise the children in a safe and clean environment. For these day care facilities, the use and employment of cameras, mobile phones, and GPS technology merely help broadcast the quality care and attention that is being provided. For other day care centers, however, the use of this technology may bring to light problems and issues that can be resolved so that the child is provided the appropriate and timely care and attention that the child deserves. See 
When selecting a Georgia day care center, it is important for parents to obtain and review information regarding the day care center. While prior records and surveys do not insure that a child will be kept safe, it is helpful to review these documents and information to make an informed decision as to the selection of a day care center. Once a child is enrolled in a day care center, parents should continue their due diligence of evaluation, review, and inspection of the day care center. Parents should visit frequently and at different times of the day. Parents should take the time to get to know the administrators and staff members at the day care center. When possible, it is also helpful to befriend other parents to share information and observations of the day care center.
In homes, day care centers, schools, and other locations, there are common every day items that can pose a great risk of injury to a child. These items are in just about every house and most day care centers and schools. Believe it or not, the common every day items include televisions and furniture. Children are curious and often times do not recognize the danger of climbing on furniture or moving a television set. When these items are not properly positioned, safeguarded, and / or anchored, serious personal injuries can result. Because there have been a number of incidents across the nation that involve serious personal injuries from a television or furniture item that has tipped over and fallen on a child, it is vital that the home, day care center, school, and other location frequented by a child be safeguarded to the best of the ability of the property owner and / or child care provider.
In Michigan and other States, school officials have a duty to keep schools safe for the children. Most schools act very swiftly and quickly when guns, knives, and / or other weapons are discovered in a school. Even a “toy” gun or “pellet” gun can cause serious injuries to a child in a school or day care center setting. Furthermore, a toy gun can often be mistaken by a teacher, student, or police officer as a “real” gun which can then set forth a series of events that can lead to serious personal injuries and, in some instances, death.