Our Columbia daycare injury lawyer Bert Louthian represents children who have been harmed while in childcare. Call 803-592-6231 for a free consultation about how you may receive financial compensation for your child.
There are approximately 2,500 licensed daycare centers in South Carolina. These facilities exist so that children can be kept safe.
Unfortunately, children have higher injury rates in daycare than they have in their own homes.
If your child is injured at daycare, they may have a right to receive financial compensation.
Daycare negligence is never acceptable. Victims may bring a legal claim. Bringing a claim can give you answers, accountability for those responsible and the financial compensation for your child.
Attorney for Daycare Injuries in Columbia
At The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers, Bert Louthian represents children and advocates for victims of daycare negligence. Our daycare injury lawyer investigates childcare accidents, builds your legal claim and represents your child through all steps of the compensation process. To learn how legal representation from The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers may help you, call 803-592-6231 to discuss your case.
Types of Daycare Injuries (Cases We Handle)
- Broken bones
- Lacerations, cuts
- Bruising
- Organ damage, joint dislocation
- Drowning
- Choking
- Suffocation
- Toxic chemical exposure, poisoning
- Communicable disease
- Concussion, brain damage
- Burns
- Dental injuries
- Allergic reactions
- Wrongful death
Causes of Daycare Injuries
- Inadequate supervision of children
- Lack of staff training, unqualified workers, inadequate staffing
- Old or broken playground equipment
- Defective or malfunctioning products used in daycare
- Neglect
- Allowing access to dangers like pools and sharp objects
- Playing with toys too old for the child
- Failing to mitigate risk of harm and address environmental dangers
- Objects falling from above
- Exposure to hot surfaces, hot water or electricity
- Poor sanitation
- Abuse, assault and battery, child abuse
Can you sue for a daycare injury?
You can sue for a daycare injury if the injury is legally the fault of another party. A claim may be based on an accident that is the result of negligence or the lack of reasonable care. It may also be based on recklessness, intentional harm or a defective product that harms a child.
Who may be liable for a daycare injury?
Any party causing harm to a child may be responsible for a daycare injury including the daycare owner, operators, workers, volunteers, product manufacturers, property owner or transportation provider. There may be multiple parties with liability.
Who regulates daycares in SC?
The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) regulates childcare in the state through its Division of Early Care and Education.
Child with Unexplained Injuries at Daycare
If your child has unexplained injuries at daycare, seek prompt medical attention. Unknown daycare injuries may be the result of negligence or abuse. A daycare injury lawyer can help you investigate further. Contact us to discuss your situation.
Compensation for a Child Injured at Daycare
If your child has been injured at a daycare, they may have the right to financial compensation. A daycare facility has a duty to protect children. That means taking reasonable measures to prevent harm. When accidents occur, the daycare provider may be responsible for negligence or acts of omission.
How can my child get compensated for an injury at daycare?
To receive compensation for an injury at daycare, you must initiate a claim on your child’s behalf. Bert Louthian of The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers is a daycare injury lawyer, representing children and families. The financial compensation that your child receives may help them with medical bills and other financial losses.
A daycare injury claim may provide reasonable compensation for future healthcare expenses and your child’s pain and suffering. When a child is harmed at a young age, the compensation they receive may be significant because of the long-term impact of their injuries. As your lawyer for daycare accidents, it is our goal to maximize your child’s compensation and pursue the claim efficiently.
Duty to Report a Daycare Accident
S.C. Code § 63-13-440 requires a childcare license holder to notify SCDSS within 48 hours following the death of a child on the premises of a childcare or daycare center. They must file a written report as soon as the cause of death is determined.
SC Childcare Licensing Incident Report Form
To report suspected daycare licensing or regulatory violations, contact the Regional Child Care Licensing Office in your county. For Richland and Lexington Counties, this is Child Care Licensing Midlands Region.
Duty to Report Daycare Abuse & Neglect
South Carolina law requires certain people to report suspected abuse and neglect in daycare services. Anyone may make a report, and administrators encourage anyone with knowledge of a daycare accident to report.
Mandatory daycare accident reporters include:
- Daycare workers, childcare workers
- Doctors, nurses, medical examiners and other healthcare professionals
- Teachers and education professionals, social workers
- Pastors, clergy
- Police, guardian ad litem attorneys
- Funeral home personnel, film processors, computer technicians
People covered by the law must make a report when they have information that a child is or might be the victim of abuse or neglect. Harm to the child may be mental or physical.
The standard for reporting is a reasonable belief. The person reporting doesn’t need conclusive proof. DSS will investigate.
How to report a daycare accident in South Carolina
To report a daycare accident in South Carolina, call the South Carolina Department of Social Services reporting hotline at 1 (888) 227-3487. Reports can be made at any time.
Daycare Licensing in South Carolina
Daycares in South Carolina are licensed and regulated by the SC Department of Social Services (SCDSS). Regulations are based on the type and scale of care provided, including:
- Child care centers – 13+ children
- Group child care – in someone’s home, 7-12 children, including children who live in the home and relatives of the provider
- Family care home – up to 6 children, in a home, registration is required, licensing is optional
- Legally exempt – if open less than 4 hours a day and not a family or group home
The licensing process involves inspections, background checks, investigations and operational regulations.
Finding Licensed Childcare Centers in Columbia, SC
You can find licensed childcare centers in Columbia, SC by using the SC Department of Social Services search feature. Search by zip code. You may filter results by the type of facility and quality rating.
There are hundreds of licensed daycares in the Columbia area. Richland County has 23 different zip codes. A search of a particular zip code may yield less than 10 results or hundreds.
Even when there are many options to choose from, it isn’t easy to find the right provider. State administrators provide a quality rating, licensing information, complaint and deficiency information for each provider. Be sure to consider your immediate needs and the future.
Financial help with childcare
Some parents may qualify for childcare scholarships. If your income is below 85% of the State Median Income, your child may qualify for a scholarship.
Free Consultation – Talk to a Lawyer
The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers represents children injured in daycare accidents in Columbia, SC and surrounding regions. While you focus on your child, our law firm can take care of your legal claim.
If your child has been injured while at daycare, we are here for you. Lawyer Bert Louthian can represent your child in a claim for compensation.
For a free consultation, call 803-592-6231 or message us. Contact us today.
