Rate of Injuries in Texas Childcare Centers

Children Face Significant Risk of Injury & Death in Texas Daycare Centers

Unfortunately, thousands of Texas children sustain serious injuries in daycare centers every year, and many others lose their lives due to accidents, physical harm, illness and abuse. Recent numbers from Texas’ Health and Human Services Commission reveal that approximately 5,000 children were harmed in daycare centers throughout the state from October 2016 to July 2018. More than 800 of these were severe injuries, such as bone fractures and traumatic brain injuries.

While these numbers are already much too high, an investigation from the Austin American-Statesman shows that many daycare centers do not report child injuries to parents, among other errors in practice and documentation of incidents. This suggests that the counts reported by the state’s HHSC are likely inaccurately low. The American-Statesman’s year-long investigation also revealed that nearly 90 children lost their lives due to neglect or abuse in daycare centers.

Why Texas Daycare Centers Fail to Adequately Protect Children

Occasional minor injuries are inevitable for growing children, especially as they learn to walk and get around on their own. However, parents who put their children in daycare centers can (and should) reasonably expect care providers to be attentive and take reasonable precautions in order to ensure the premises are safe and sanitary.

Thousands of children in Texas daycare centers have been injured due to:

• Inadequate staffing
• Too few adults in the room at a given point
• Distracted or inattentive caregivers
• Discipline by abusive or untrained caretakers
• Lack of appropriate maintenance, cleaning, organization, etc.
• Lack of supervision resulting in harm form other children

What to Do if Your Child Is Harmed at an Austin Daycare Center

Contacting an attorney is the best thing you can do if your child has been harmed in a daycare center, especially if you were not informed by daycare staff and discovered the child’s injury later. By bringing in a skilled representative, you can take full advantage of your options and make informed decisions based on sound legal counsel during this time.

At Howry, Breen & Herman, LLP, we are a team of experienced Texas daycare injury attorneys, and we serve families whose children have been harmed in daycare centers and after-school programs in Austin and the surrounding areas. We are prepared to help you recover compensation for your child’s medical bills and the suffering your family has endured as a result of your child’s injury. If your child has been hurt due to the negligence or oversight of a daycare center or staff member, connect with a member of our team right away to schedule your free consultation.

You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Call (512) 430-4844 today to speak to a daycare injury attorney in Austin.