If your child has suffered abuse at the hands of a daycare worker, you are likely eligible for compensation.
You can consult a daycare injury lawyer who can gather evidence, present your case, and obtain your rightful compensation.
This guide contains everything you need to know about the four primary types of daycare abuse - and how you can seek compensation for each.
What is Daycare Abuse?
According to most state laws, abuse is any willful or threatened act in which a child's mental, physical, or emotional health has been compromised.
Such acts may include:
Physical harm or injury (willful or unintentional)
Emotional abuse (shouting, threatening, etc.)
Sexual misconduct
Cruel and unusual punishment or treatment (humiliation, isolation, etc.)
Neglect or deprivation
Daycare abuse typically consists of one or more of the above acts. There are four broad types of daycare abuse. These include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect.
According to government research, thousands of children suffer daycare abuse every year. Although their parents can seek retribution, many do not know where to start.
The Four Common Types of Daycare Abuse and Compensation You Can Seek
There are four primary types of daycare abuse, each subject to compensation according to state laws.
Read on for a detailed explanation of each type of abuse.
1. Physical Abuse
Physical abuse consists of any physical harm done to a child while in the care of a daycare center or worker.
Although instances of intentional, inflicted harm are easiest to prosecute, a child can suffer physical abuse in many different ways. Some examples include:
A preventable accident or injury
An intentionally inflicted injury
A slap, spank, or strike of any kind
A physical punishment
Withholding food, shelter, or access to a basic physical need
To seek compensation for physical abuse, begin by documenting any markings or visible injuries. Write a detailed account of the child's recollection of the incident (if applicable). Remove the child from harm and seek support from the police or an attorney.
2. Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is among the most traumatizing experiences a child can have.
Sexual abuse can include:
Inappropriate touching
Sexual acts with a child
Sexually explicit comments, threats, or insinuations
Exposure to sexually explicit material
To identify sexual abuse, look for signs of physical harm, age-inappropriate comments or questions, disturbances or aggression, and disruptions to ordinary behaviors like eating, sleeping, or using the bathroom.
It is essential first to protect the child from harm, as with any abuse. Gather as much evidence as possible and seek the help of a qualified professional.
3. Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is one of the most common types of daycare abuse.
Emotional abuse can include verbal abuse, yelling, insult, threats, or humiliation. This abuse is much harder to identify since it often happens behind closed doors.
However, emotional abuse is often just as damaging as other types of harm, and parents can seek compensation for such incidents with the help of a qualified professional.
Signs of emotional abuse can include:
Regression into age-inappropriate behaviors
Extreme aggression or disruptive behavior
Issues with sleeping, eating, or socializing
Withdrawal, anxiety, depression
As with other types of abuse, the best solution is to protect the child from immediate danger and gather any available evidence.
4. Neglect
Neglect is the most challenging form of abuse to identify - and it is also among the most common.
Neglect is anytime a child is denied care or essential need fulfillment. This often includes:
Denying food or water
Failing to provide basic hygiene (clean clothes, bathing, etc.)
Denying shelter
Failing to provide health care, supervision, or access to education
Next Steps
If your child has suffered abuse at the hands of a daycare worker, consider seeking help. You do not have to face this situation alone. Compensation can be gained for your family, and justice can be sought for your child.
