Childcare Negligence & Abuse
As parents and grandparents of young children, at Cook, Bradford & Levy, we know that one of the scariest calls you can ever receive is from the daycare or school telling you that something bad has happened to your child. A child’s injury or death is always tragic, and we believe it is important to seek justice against a careless or negligent childcare facility on behalf of the child, but also because doing so can help prevent future tragedies. Our Boulder daycare abuse attorneys have successfully fought for justice on behalf of children who have been hurt in a daycare or childcare environment because the facility was careless or negligent. We understand the applicable Colorado law as well as the intricacies of bringing a case against what can be a well-funded corporate entity. If your child has been injured or killed because of the carelessness, negligence, or willful acts of a childcare provider, our experienced Boulder daycare abuse lawyers are here to help answer your questions and obtain justice. We encourage you to reach out to us for a free consultation at 303-543-1000 to discuss your case.
Accidents, Physical Abuse, and Sexual Abuse in Colorado Child Care FacilitiesOur Boulder daycare abuse attorneys understand that Colorado childcare facilities and preschools are entrusted with the wellbeing and safety of our children, and that childcare providers must carry out their responsibilities in a safe and reasonable manner. In Colorado, a childcare provider always has the duty to keep its children safe, including when on field trips, excursions, on the playground, or in inclement weather. Our Boulder daycare abuse lawyers understand that many tragedies can be avoided by sufficient staffing to provide the children with the proper oversight and monitoring. Unfortunately, inadequate staffing levels are often to blame for tragic accidents in the daycare environment, especially when children and childcare providers are beyond the familiarity and safety of the childcare facility itself.
Similarly, a lack of staffing can also lead to situations where a childcare provider is left alone with a child and beyond oversight and supervision from other employees or providers. If you suspect that your child is a victim of sexual abuse or physical abuse by his or her childcare providers, we recommend that you immediately report your concerns to the authorities so that a criminal complaint can be investigated. On the civil side, a knowledgeable Boulder daycare abuse lawyer can prosecute your claim and recover your child’s damages as well as punitive damages against the daycare facility.
Licensed and Unlicensed Facilities Can Both be held AccountableAs Boulder daycare abuse lawyers, we know that the general rule in Colorado is that all childcare providers such as preschools and daycare centers must be licensed by the state. A licensed Colorado childcare facility is obligated to operate in accordance with specific rules, which are designed to protect the safety of the children. In addition to state requirements, Boulder County childcare facilities also must undergo regular health inspections. If your child has been injured at a licensed childcare facility, our experienced Boulder daycare abuse attorneys can use these regulations and other sources to help establish the standard of reasonable childcare that should have been followed to prevent the accident.
In 2017, Colorado expanded the number of exceptions to the type of childcare facility that can legally operate without a license. Despite the increase in the number of unlicensed childcare providers, unlicensed facilities still have the duty to care for your child in a safe and responsible manner. In short, being unlicensed is not a “get out of jail free card.” Just as with licensed childcare facilities, our Boulder daycare abuse attorneys can use standards from state regulations, experts, and other written materials to show that a violation of reasonable care led to the child’s injury.
If your child has been an accident or the victim of physical or sexual abuse at a Colorado child care facility, we encourage you to reach out to our Boulder daycare abuse lawyers at 303-543-1000 for a free consultation. We can help bring you peace of mind, financial compensation, and justice by holding the dangerous childcare facilities accountable.