- 24/7 Free Consultation: (888) 424-5757 Tap Here To Call Us
Chicago Daycare Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Should You Hire a Daycare Sexual Abuse Attorney?
A daycare sexual abuse lawyer holds daycare centers accountable for child abuse by negotiating with their insurance companies. Our personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process, gather essential evidence to strengthen your case, and file a civil claim on your behalf. Ensure that abusive daycare staff are held responsible by calling us for a free consultation.
Verdicts and Settlements from Our Daycare Sexual Abuse Attorneys in Chicago
- $3,850,000 for three boys who were sexually abused by a private coach
- $6,000,000 in a daycare lawsuit for a child molested at an after-school program
- $1,000,000 for a man assaulted at an after-school program
Defining Daycare Sexual Abuse vs. Other Mistreatment
Any form of child abuse is wrong, but there is a legal difference between sexual, verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. Understanding these distinctions is crucial to ensuring we file the correct type of case and can gather strong evidence.
Sex abuse includes inappropriate touching, exposing oneself to a child, creating exploitative materials, or forcing sexual activities. With minors, it is considered predatory criminal sexual assault of a child if there is any sexual contact, however slight, with a person under 13 years old (720 ILCS §5/11-1.40).
Verbal abuse includes yelling at, demeaning, or threatening a child. Emotional abuse can involve mocking the child, encouraging other children to gang up on them, or ridiculing them. In contrast, physical abuse is anything that endangers the child’s well-being, even if there are no physical injuries. This includes hitting, shaking, slapping, or grabbing the child aggressively.
How Negligence by the Daycare Provider Enables Abuse
Daycare abuse, including sexual child abuse, does not happen in a vacuum. A daycare provider must take all possible precautions to protect children by closely monitoring staff and intervening when they identify abused children. Daycare negligence can be a crucial point in a lawsuit.
Failures in Staff Screening, Supervision, and Security
Predators seek out opportunities to groom children, meaning they often choose places of employment where they can get access to their preferred victims. As such, daycare centers must be extremely vigilant when hiring and supervising staff.
Every employee, staff member, or volunteer should undergo a strict background check, and the facility should be licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as required by the Chicago municipal code. The Illinois licensing requirements specifically note the need for thorough background checks, including criminal record and character references (407.110), and that all children should be supervised at all times (407.200).
No staff member should have unsupervised access to children, especially in the bathroom, when they are most vulnerable. The daycare facility should have strict security measures to prevent unauthorized visitors. Additionally, staff should be trained on how to recognize and report potential predators. If the facility fails to do so, it could be liable in a daycare abuse lawsuit.
Recognizing the Difficult Signs of Daycare Abuse
Child abuse in daycare centers is not always obvious, especially in young children. It’s rare for child victims to discuss what happened to them, and the signs are typically subtle and indirect. As such, parents must be very vigilant. Staying engaged and asking the child about their experience at daycare can uncover potential issues.
Behavioral, Emotional, and Physical Indicators
Behavioral and physical indicators include the following:
- Sudden withdrawal
- Fear of certain people, such as a specific daycare employee
- Refusing to go to daycare
- Regression, such as bedwetting or thumb sucking
- Anxiety and nightmares
- Aggression and behavioral issues
- Inappropriate sexual knowledge or sexualized play
- Genital injuries, such as pain, bleeding, bruising, or irritation
- Signs of sexually transmitted diseases
- Urinary tract infections
What to Do Immediately If You Suspect Abuse at a Chicago Daycare
You must act immediately if you believe that your child is being abused. Always ensure your child’s safety, and listen to them without judgment. You can then document their statements and your observations to report to the authorities. Medical and psychological evaluations can also be incredibly helpful.
Once your child is safe, speak to an experienced daycare abuse lawyer who can help ensure that predatory daycare employees are held responsible.
Reporting to Authorities (Police, DCFS) and Seeking Help
You should immediately report suspected abuse to the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois DCFS Child Abuse Hotline. Call them at 1-800-25-ABUSE or make a report online.
If your child has been harmed, other children are likely at risk. Inform other parents at the daycare about your suspicions so they can also question their children.
You should also seek medical care for your child. Lurie Children’s Hospital, located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, is a well-respected pediatric hospital where doctors can perform thorough medical assessments. Not only can this ensure your child has not been physically harmed, but it also provides medical evidence that an experienced daycare abuse lawyer can use to support your case.
Protecting Your Child’s Legal Rights After Daycare Abuse
After seeking medical attention and reporting the incident, you should quickly consult with an experienced attorney to protect your rights and start the personal injury claim process. We can gather evidence, interview daycare staff, review police reports, and negotiate with the facility for a fair settlement. The sooner that you begin the process, the easier it will be to prove your case.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit Against the Negligent Daycare Facility
Our Chicago sexual abuse law firm will file a civil suit against the daycare based on negligence that allowed a predator to have access to your child. We will seek damages for the child’s injuries, including emotional distress and psychological harm.
Holding the Daycare Accountable for Harming Your Child
A personal injury lawsuit is based on negligence, which encompasses a duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and resulting damages. It notes that the facility was responsible for creating a safe environment, but failed to do so. This caused your child to be abused, placing a financial burden on your family.
The aspects of this liability include negligent hiring, supervision, training, security, and reporting. We will utilize a range of evidence to understand how this occurred, including personnel files, witness testimony, medical reports, police reports, and expert opinions.
The perpetrator may face separate criminal charges, but they can also be named as a defendant in a civil case if necessary. You can still sue the person even if they are now deceased, as we will pursue damages from their estate.
Compensation for Psychological Trauma and Related Damages
You and your family deserve maximum compensation for daycare abuse. We will negotiate for the highest possible settlement based on the evidence. Potential damages include:
- Medical bills, such as treating physical injuries or running tests
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Long-term therapy and counseling, both for the child and for family members
- Lost wages for parents if they had to take time off work
- Severe emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Every personal injury case is different, so there is no guaranteed settlement amount. What you and your family receive will depend on factors like how long the daycare abuse lasted, whether force or violence was involved, and the degree of negligence. The amount of available insurance will also determine how much you can receive.
Illinois Time Limits for Filing Child Abuse Lawsuits
While Illinois law typically only gives two years to file a lawsuit, this timeline is extended for child victims. This extended statute of limitations is no more than 20 years after the person turns 18 or five years after the person discovers they may have been abused, known as the delayed discovery rule.
Additionally, the statute of limitations may be paused if the victim has been threatened, coerced, or manipulated into keeping their silence. Though there is an extended time period, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to start the legal process. Otherwise, vital evidence may be lost or destroyed.
Why Hire Our Experienced Lawyers
Daycare abuse cases involve very vulnerable victims, meaning you need an attorney who can handle the case with sensitivity and care. We are highly experienced in securing settlements for child victims and their families, always prioritizing your safety.
Our daycare injury lawyer team in Chicago will consult with child trauma experts and protect your family during the legal process. We possess the experience and contacts necessary to thoroughly investigate facility negligence and navigate complex claims involving multiple parties.
The Illinois Supreme Court has determined that remote trials are acceptable for civil cases. However, you or your child may still have to be present at trial. We will work to minimize the extent to which your child has to participate in court proceedings, allowing them to focus instead on healing. Our experience with these cases ensures that we reduce potential harm while still building a solid case.
Our Firm’s Sensitive Approach to Daycare Abuse Claims
We take a child-focused approach to representing victims of daycare abuse, understanding the lifelong impacts this form of violence can have. Everything you and your family share with our Chicago child injury law firm is protected by attorney-client privilege, and we will ensure your privacy at all times.
Our focus is on providing closure and healing for your child. By partnering with child abuse experts, we ensure that we do not retraumatize your child while gathering evidence and taking testimonies. Each member of our team is fully committed to helping you and your loved ones feel safe and supported throughout the legal case.
While getting justice through a settlement can help pay for your needs, it is only one step in your child’s healing journey. We can direct you to helpful resources, such as the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, that can provide invaluable support to you and your child..
Contact Our Chicago Daycare Injury Lawyers for a Confidential Consultation
Negligent daycare centers must be held accountable for their failures, and our attorneys can help. With over 5,000 clients helped, we boast a 98% success rate and are respected by insurance companies nationwide.
Our personal injury team in Chicago works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to secure compensation for you. To schedule your free consultation with our experienced attorneys, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mr. Rosenfeld and every last one of his associates did an incredible job helping me out with my case. They explained the process thoroughly and made sure I was helped through every step. Very professional and I got a good settlement, strongly recommend Rosenfeld!
Read More Google Reviews
Related Practice Area:
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.