My Child Was Sexually Abused at a Fort Worth Daycare, Do I Need a Lawyer?

It’s the worst news possible: your child was molested by a caregiver. The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas (CACTX) estimates that one in 10 children will suffer sexual abuse. Most of these cases will be at the hands of someone the victims know personally. If your child has been victimized at a Fort Worth Texas daycare, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages.

Texas child injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw will advocate for your family. We strive to aggressively protect our clients’ rights and seek compensation from all negligent parties, including daycare owners, employees, and operators. Call us today for a free consultation.

You’ve sought medical care for your child and reached out to the authorities. Now you’re wondering, “My child was sexually abused at a Fort Worth daycare, do I need a lawyer?”.

Absolutely. While the Tarrant County police and District Attorney Sharen Wilson may pursue criminal charges against the abuser, you can also hire an attorney to file a civil claim, which will have a less stringent burden of proof than a criminal case.

Sexual abuse has lasting physical, emotional, and behavioral effects on your child. An experienced lawyer can help you file a civil case and possibly recover damages. Compensation can help alleviate the burden of many negative outcomes, including:

You should take your child for a medical examination as soon as you discover sexual abuse. They may require treatment for injuries or STIs. Down the line, victims are also more likely to engage in substance abuse and unsafe sex, which may lead to increased healthcare costs.

Many sexual abuse survivors suffer anxiety and depression, emotional regression, withdrawal, PTSD, and more. Additionally, your family may struggle with guilt and anger. A family and children’s therapist can help.

Although harder to prove than other damages, Fort Worth Tx daycare abuse lawyers can help show how sexual abuse affects quality of life. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), 38% of sexual violence survivors experience difficulties at work and school, and 37% face interpersonal problems with family and friends. All of this can make daily life more difficult.

It’s common for parents of sexual abuse victims to miss work as they navigate medical appointments, court hearings, police interviews, and therapy sessions. Additionally, your child may struggle to find or keep employment in the future because of the emotional and behavioral effects of daycare sexual abuse.

Winning compensation in a civil case against your child’s abuser can help mitigate these damages and more. Sexual abuse from a trusted caregiver is traumatic enough on its own—there’s no need to struggle financially as well.

When it comes to compensation for your child’s sexual abuse, Texas child injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw must establish liability. This can extend far beyond the perpetrator themselves. All daycare employees, owners, and operators owe a duty of care to your child. If any of these parties breached that duty, they can also be held liable for your child’s trauma. Examples include:

• A daycare employee who fails to report inappropriate behavior from a coworker (the perpetrator)
• A daycare manager who does not properly supervise daycare employees
• A daycare owner (including corporations and school districts) that does not screen employees for criminal history or does not establish policies that minimize the risk of abuse

Holding all responsible parties accountable not only prevents future instances of sexual abuse—it also helps you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Child sexual abuse attorneys in Fort Worth can help you prove duty of care, establish liability, and seek compensation for the lasting damages of daycare sexual abuse.

For a free case review, call Carabin Shaw toll-free at 800-862-1260. English and Spanish speakers are available 24/7.