Our David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers in South Carolina know that parents rely heavily on daycare in the summer because it provides a safe, structured environment for their children during the extended break from school.
With many parents working full-time jobs, daycare services offer essential childcare support. They ensure children are supervised, engaged in educational and recreational activities, and socializing with peers. Summer daycare programs often include various enriching activities such as outdoor play, field trips, and creative projects, which help keep children active and learning.
However, during the summer, outdoor accidents and injuries at daycare centers are prevalent due to the nature of play and the environment. Understanding who is liable for these accidents and injuries is crucial so they can be held accountable and keep other children from getting hurt.
What are the Most Common Types of Outdoor Accidents at Daycare Facilities in South Carolina?
With favorable weather, children spend more time engaging in outdoor play, which naturally increases exposure to hazards like playground equipment, uneven surfaces, and other outdoor elements.
Some of the most common types of outdoor accidents that occur at South Carolina daycare facilities include, but are not limited to:
- Falls from playground equipment such as slides, swings, and climbing structures are common and can lead to fractures, sprains, and head injuries.
- Uneven surfaces, loose gravel, or toys left on the ground can cause children to trip and fall.
- Contact with sharp edges on playground equipment, fences, or broken glass can cause cuts and abrasions.
- Scrapes from falling on rough or abrasive surfaces like concrete or asphalt.
- Children can collide with each other while running or playing games, leading to bumps, bruises, and more severe injuries like concussions.
- Running into stationary objects like poles, benches, or trees can result in injuries.
- Prolonged exposure to high temperatures without adequate hydration can cause heat-related illnesses.
- Lack of sun protection can result in sunburns, which can be painful and increase the risk of skin issues later in life.
- Allergic reactions to insect bites or stings requiring immediate medical attention.
- Improperly designed or maintained equipment can pose strangulation hazards with loose ropes or entrapment risks in small spaces.
- Daycares with access to pools, fountains, or other water features increase the risk of drowning, especially if children are not adequately supervised.
Summer programs see an influx of children not typically enrolled during the school year, resulting in larger groups and potentially strained supervision. The increased number of children often stretches the capabilities of daycare staff, especially if insufficiently trained caregivers are hired to maintain appropriate supervision ratios.
If your child has been injured at a daycare facility in South Carolina, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers today to learn how we can help you hold the proper party—or combination of parties—liable for their injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Daycare Accidents & Injuries in South Carolina?
Parents entrust daycare centers with their children’s safety and well-being, expecting a secure environment where their children can play and learn without harm. An injury disrupts this trust and raises immediate concerns about its severity, the quality of supervision, and potential long-term effects on the child’s health and development.
Determining who can be held liable for their injuries, or worse, a tragic fatality, is critical to the safety of all the children entrusted to the facility’s care.
That may include:
-
Daycare Providers
The daycare can be held liable if the staff fails to supervise the children properly, does not maintain safe conditions, or does not follow required safety protocols. Liability can also arise if the daycare providers are not adequately trained or have insufficient safety policies.
-
Daycare Facility Owners
The facility owner might be liable if the injury occurred due to hazardous conditions on the daycare premises, such as poorly maintained playground equipment, unsafe outdoor areas, or inadequate fencing.
-
Third Parties
If a third party, such as a maintenance worker or contractor, was responsible for creating or failing to repair a hazardous condition that led to the injury, they might be liable. The same is true for manufacturers if the injury were caused by defective playground equipment or other outdoor apparatus.
Daycare centers have a legal duty to ensure the safety and well-being of children in their care. Breaching this duty through negligence or insufficient supervision can establish liability, and we can help build your case.
Contact Our Attorney at David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers
Contact our David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (803)-258-6199 to learn more about your legal rights and options to hold the negligent party liable for your complete recovery needs.
We provide free consultations for all South Carolina personal injury and never charge legal fees unless we deliver a positive outcome for your unique case.