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 childcare facility on behalf of the child, but also because doing so can help prevent future tragedies. We have successfully fought for justice on behalf of children who have been hurt because the facility was careless or negligent. We understand the applicable 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 acts of a childcare provider, we 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.

We understand that 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. 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. We 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, 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, we can prosecute your claim and recover your child’s damages as well as punitive damages against the facility.

We know that the general rule in Colorado is that all childcare providers must be licensed by the state. A licensed 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 facilities also must undergo regular health inspections. If your child has been injured at a licensed childcare facility, we 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, we can use standards from state regulations, experts, and other written materials to show that a violation of reasonable care led to injury.

If your child has been an accident or the victim of physical or sexual abuse at a child care facility, we encourage you to reach out to us at 303-543-1000 for a free consultation. We can help bring you peace of mind, financial compensation, and justice by holding the dangerous facilities accountable.