This is the next post in our series on the handling of daycare injury cases in our area. Our last article discussed when DFW area childcare facilities may be liable for negligence. Liability can arise when a provider breaches the duty of care owed to the children and injuries occur as a result. An experienced attorney can assist you with determining whether you have a claim. In this article we will be discussing steps which a parent should take immediately following an injury. If you are in need of assistance then contact our Fort Worth area office to speak with a Texas personal injury lawyer.
DFW parents should immediately take their child to the hospital after a daycare injury
If one’s son or daughter has been injured then it is important that they obtain immediate medical care. This is true even if the injury does not seem serious at first. Many injuries, especially those involving head trauma, involve symptoms and problems which do not manifest until after the initial injury. Examples of this can include a blow to the head, from which the child believes they are not injured, but blurred vision and other problems can later result. Moreover, what may seem like “strains or sprains” can often be more serious damage to ligaments or joints which can lead to long-term problems. Seeking immediate care means that obviously serious injuries are addressed while the risk of future problems, from seemingly smaller issues, is avoided.
It is also important to seek immediate care so that your rights are protected after a daycare injury. If a parent does not seek immediate care, and the child is seriously injured, then the defendants are likely to claim that the injury occurred due to an event in between the daycare incident and the time at which care was sought. Such claims are especially common in cases where a seemingly minor incident has resulted in serious harm and, for understandable reasons, the parents did not take the child immediately to the hospital. Such arguments from defendants can be foreclosed by taking your child straight to the hospital after an injury.
Retain A Fort Worth Childcare Neglect Attorney Immediately After Seeking Medical Care
It is strongly suggested that parents retain a personal injury lawyer immediately after they have obtained medical treatment for a childcare-related injury. As discussed in our previous article, counsel will take multiple steps to ensure that your rights are protected. Such steps can include making sure that all evidence of the accident is preserved. An attorney will immediately notify the daycare provider of the representation so that the parents may worry about the important issue of their child’s health. Counsel will deal with the insurance carriers directly and will work to identify all possible defendants. Many daycare facilities are owned by larger companies or are part of a larger business structure. This means, therefore, that such cases may involve numerous parties.
It is not uncommon for insurance carriers to immediately contact parents following an injury out of an effort to reach a “quick” settlement. It should be understood that, while insurance adjusters often seem friendly and concerned, it is their job to protect the profits of the insurance company. They will often claim that the injured should speak with them directly and avoid retaining an attorney. Contrary to these claims, having counsel helps to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process and that you gain the greatest possible compensation.
If your son or daughter has been injured then contact Noteboom – The Law Firm today to speak with a Fort Worth childcare neglect attorney. Our firm understands that this is a serious time in your life and we will give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us online or by telephone to schedule an initial consultation. In addition to Texas’ greater DFW area, we also handle matters in Arlington, Austin, Denton, Frisco, Irving, Lufkin, Garland, Houston, McKinney, Richardson, San Antonio, and the rest of the state.