We send our children to daycare and school thinking that they will be safe, supervised and cared for adequately throughout the day. Children should be reasonably protected from harm while at school and daycare and should be adequately supervised at all times. However, many children each year suffer injuries and sometimes even death while at school or daycare. Children have rights too, and when they are at school or daycare, they have a right to be safe and protected from foreseeable harm and injury.
Children usually suffer injuries while at school or daycare as a result of:
- Inadequate or negligent supervision;
- Improperly maintained facilities, playgrounds, toys, etc.;
- Defective playground equipment, toys, etc.;
- Sports and recreational activities while at school;
- Injuries caused by other students or children;
- Unsafe conditions on the school or daycare center grounds;
- Too few staff or teachers to watch the children; and/or
- Failure of staff and teachers to respond appropriately when a child is injured or there is an emergency involving a child.
There are a number of state and federal laws that exist to protect vulnerable children who attend schools and daycare centers. For instance:
According to 55 PA Code Section 3270.21, daycare centers must remain free from any conditions that could threaten the health or safety of children. Additionally, Section 3270.54 specifies the minimum required child-to-staff ratios that daycare facilities must maintain to ensure proper supervision and care.
Pennsylvania case law recognizes premises liability as a valid legal basis for personal injury claims when a child is injured on school property. This theory can apply to cases such as slip and fall accidents, injuries caused by structural problems, or other unsafe conditions on the school or daycare grounds.
Despite these protections, schools and daycare centers sometimes fail to comply with safety regulations or act negligently, putting children at risk. In situations where these institutions are responsible for your child’s injury, it is crucial to consult an experienced Philadelphia school and daycare injury lawyer. Attorneys at The Pearce Law Firm specialize in helping families pursue compensation for the harm their children have endured.
Contact A Philadelphia School and Daycare Injury Lawyer
Children should be able to go to school or daycare and be safe from harm, injury and danger. If your child has been injured while at school or daycare, a Philadelphia child injury lawyer at The Pearce Law Firm can help you. Contact The Pearce Law Firm either online or by calling (215) 557 8686 for a free initial consultation today.
