Daycare abuse is a serious problem no matter where you live, and Alabama is no exception. It’s extremely important to know the signs of abuse as well as when to engage the services of a daycare abuse lawyer.
It’s never easy for parents to leave a child in the care of someone else, but like others throughout the country, many parents in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and across Alabama are forced to place their children in daycare. They place their trust in the daycare that the childcare worker will keep their children clean, safe, and entertained. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. Instead of the quality care parents expect, children in the care of a daycare facility or with nannies are all too often exposed to inadequate supervision and care.
Abuse and neglect can be defined in many different forms and occur in many different situations. Some of the events that can lead to abuse or neglect include but are not limited to the following:
- Insufficient staff members
- Employees who are not properly screened or trained
- Ineffective or lack of supervision
Daycare facilities have an obligation to protect the children under their care from any dangerous employees who might wish to cause physical harm or commit sexual abuse, but too often they fail to fulfill their obligation. In addition to physical harm, a child can also suffer from a great deal of emotional trauma because of abuse or neglect inflicted by a nanny or day care worker.
Alabama Licensing Requirements
Child care programs that are operating legally in Alabama fall into one of two classifications: licensed or licensure exempt. When a daycare program is licensed, it means the facility has undergone inspection in order to ensure it meets the minimum standards required under the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the State Fire Marshall’s Office. Each facility that requires a license must renew that license every two years. Under Alabama law, programs operated by the following do not require licensing:
- Religious organizations
- State agencies
- Military facilities
- Local governments
- Any programs that operate less than four hours daily
An organization must meet the following minimum standards in order to receive a license to operate:
- Must meet the requirements of the State Fire Marshall regarding the facility and equipment
- Maintain records on both children and staff that includes health and immunization records
- Staff must meet minimum educational or training requirements
- Facility must adhere to nutritional requirements for children as defined by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
- Facility must meet basic program operation and educational programming requirements
- Must adhere to approved disciplinary procedures
- Must maintain the proper staff to child ratio
Hiring a Day Care Abuse Lawyer in Alabama
If your child has been abused at daycare (and especially if you are unhappy with the way the administrator is handling your case), you should consult with a daycare abuse lawyer. Even if the abuser has already been criminally charged, working with a lawyer experienced in cases of daycare abuse can help you recover the money that your child requires for therapy, alternative childcare services, and more. There are many advantages to having an Alabama daycare abuse lawyer advocate for your rights, including (but are not limited to) the following:
- Reviewing documentation to verify existence of abuse or neglect
- Working with authorities to ensure proper handling of the case
- Helping parents file any reports that are necessary in order to ensure the proper disciplinary action against both the facility and the employee
- Recovering financial compensation for you and your child’s damages
If your child has been injured physically or emotionally in a daycare facility, call Rasansky Law Firm at 1-877-403-9378. We will explain the legal options available to you for free, and if you decide to hire us, you never pay us a dime unless we actually win you compensation.