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CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
WHY TO GET EXPERIENCED AND CARING REPRESENTATION
If you're concerned that your child has been the victim of child abuse or neglect at the hands of the people you trust for care, it's important you contact our team of criminal defense attorneys in Metro Phoenix. Criminal prosecution of the abuser is provided for by law, but in child abuse cases, many times the wounds go much deeper than physical scars. A child abuse attorney at our firm will help your family get whatever it needs.
As a parent, you are forced to put a tremendous amount of faith into the hands of your child's daycare facility. The Arizona Department of Health Services strictly regulates all child care providers in order to ensure that children are kept safe and that they receive proper care. Unfortunately, in far too many cases, child care facilities still fail to live up to their end of the bargain. At Cluff Injury Lawyers, our dedicated Phoenix child abuse and neglect lawyers help parents hold negligent daycares and child care providers legally liable for their misconduct.
Negligence in a Child Care Situation
Arizona state law provides staff-to-child ratios to help ensure the safety of children in day care situations. The state laws are very specific; in a child care center, not an individual home:
- One adult is required for every five babies, or two adults to eleven babies. Eleven is the maximum number of infants allowed in one room.
- One-year-olds have a one-adult-to-six-children ratio, or two-to-thirteen. Thirteen is the maximum allowed in one room.
- Two-year-olds have a maximum allowance of eight children to one adult.
- Three-year-olds have a maximum allowance of thirteen children to one adult.
- Four-year-olds have a maximum allowance of fifteen children to one adult.
- Five-year-old and school-age children have a maximum allowance of twenty children to one adult.
- In rooms of mixed ages, the ratio follows the youngest child in the room. Infants may not be mixed with any other age group unless the total number of children at the facility is less than six.
For ages two and older, the maximum number of students allowed in each room depends on the square footage of the room and what the allowances the child care facility has made. Each child care facility that is licensed by the state will have the maximum number of children allowed at the center printed on the license itself.
If these ratios are not followed closely by the center, there is an increased chance that a child will get hurt, which can be considered negligence on the part of the facility. Even if these standards are followed, and a child does get hurt, it does not automatically absolve the facility of negligence.
The ratios for in-home childcare are one adult to five children, no matter the ages. The maximum number of children allowed at one in-home childcare facility is fifteen, which can be broken up as ten children that pay for services and five that do not. If you have questions, contact a child abuse attorney at our law firm today!
PARENTAL RIGHTS CONCERNING CHILDCARE
TAKING CARE OF CHILD ABUSE
Parental Rights Concerning Childcare
Regarding licensed childcare in the state of Arizona, parents have rights when it comes to the daily activities of their children. Parents play the most important role in child development, and in choosing a licensed center are allowed certain rights:
- Parents have the right to expect the care for their child meets minimum standards set by the state.
- Parents have the right to visit their child any time, no appointment is needed.
- Parents have the right to see all areas in the facility where the children will be throughout the day.
- Parents have the right to view the public file of the childcare facility.
- Parents have the right to request to view inspection reports of the facility.
- Parents must give written permission for their child to go swimming or leave the facility during the day.
- Parents must be notified immediately of any serious injury or accident requiring medical attention
- Parents should be made aware of their child's daily activities and progress.
Dedicated Metro Phoenix Child Abuse Attorneys
If you have concerns that your child has been injured or suffered in any way due to the negligence of the child care facility, it's important you call an attorney to get the best representation for your child's rights. We understand that criminal charges brought against an abuser may not be enough to help your life get back to normal after such an emotional setback, and we will fight to get you the compensation you need to put your life back together.
Arizona parents should be able to get their children into a safe and reliable daycare facility. The facility that you choose should be one that is properly licensed by the state of Arizona. Notably, state laws require that there always be a certain ratio of adults to children at all licensed child care centers. Further, the premises of the child care center should always be kept in a reasonably safe condition and properly maintained to care for and handle young children.
Under Arizona law, parents have a right to visit their child at the daycare center and to inspect the facility to ensure that it is in the appropriate condition. If there is a problem, parents should be ready to take action. If you believe that your child was injured due to abuse or neglect at a child care center, you need to contact an experienced Phoenix child abuse and neglect lawyer immediately.
Child Care Provider Abuse and Neglect
Daycares and other child care facilities are held to very high legal standards. These entities must take affirmative steps to ensure that the kids that are placed in their care are protected. Unfortunately, in all too many cases, these facilities violate the trust of parents and put the health and safety of young children at risk. Some of the most common examples of child care provider abuse and neglect include:
- Understaffing the facility;
- Hiring employees without proper background checks;
- Giving children access to dangerous toys;
- Failure to ensure that premises and equipment are safe;
- Failure to watch children;
- Lack of adequate security measures to keep dangerous people off the property;
- Failure to follow up on signs that there is a problem; and
- Poor maintenance and oversight, leading to injuries, illnesses, or infections.
Why You Can Always Afford Legal Help
Our Arizona child abuse and neglect lawyers are committed to supporting families throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. We take on all child care accident claims using contingency fee agreements. This means that our clients pay nothing unless we win or successfully settle their legal case. When you work with our personal injury team there will never be any upfront or out-of-pocket costs for you.
Contact Our Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys Today
At Cluff Injury Lawyers, our compassionate Phoenix child abuse and neglect attorneys provide skilled legal representation to families throughout Maricopa County. If your child was injured at a daycare or child care facility, we can help. Please contact our personal injury team today to schedule a free review of your legal case.