Cleveland Daycare Injury Lawyer | Call (216) 931-7000

Frank E. Piscitelli, Jr., founder of Piscitelli Law Firm, has spent over three decades representing victims in personal injury claims, including families whose children have been harmed in daycare settings due to negligence or abuse.

With a reputation for holding institutions accountable, Frank has fought for justice when a child suffers preventable harm because of unsafe conditions, lack of supervision, or the negligent behavior of a daycare worker.

Raised in a working-class, first-generation Italian-American household, Frank learned early on the importance of hard work, accountability, and advocating for the vulnerable.

As a lifelong Cleveland resident, he understands the trust parents place in daycares to provide a safe, nurturing environment—and the devastation that follows when that trust is broken.

Frank’s experience includes investigating incidents of daycare abuse, physical injuries, emotional trauma, and patterns of unsafe practices that point to a deeper underlying problem within a facility.

He takes on a limited number of cases to give each family the focused, personal attention their situation deserves.

Each case is directly managed by Frank, who conducts detailed investigations, consults with child safety and medical experts, and documents how the facility failed to protect the child’s physical and emotional well-being.

Whether negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial, Frank fights to hold negligent daycare providers accountable and to secure justice for children and families affected by abuse or preventable harm.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Daycare Abuse Lawyer from Piscitelli Law Firm?

At Piscitelli Law Firm, we handle daycare abuse cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront.

Our clients only owe legal fees if we successfully recover compensation through a settlement or verdict.

This allows families to pursue legal action without the burden of immediate legal costs during an already stressful time.

Contingency arrangements give every family access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.

If your child was harmed due to daycare negligence or abuse, there is no risk in speaking with us about your legal options.

Identifying the warning signs of an abusive or negligent daycare is critical to protecting your child’s safety and long-term well-being.

Unexplained bruises, repeated daycare accidents, or sudden changes in behavior may point to a deeper issue within the facility.

Inconsistent supervision, poor hygiene, and visible distress when being dropped off can also indicate unsafe or harmful conditions.

Children may not always be able to verbalize their experiences, making it even more important for parents to recognize patterns of physical pain, fear, or withdrawal.

If your child has sustained severe injuries or appears frightened of daycare staff, you should take action immediately to prevent further harm.

Neglecting basic safety protocols, failing to communicate with parents, or disregarding injury reports are additional red flags that a facility may not be providing a safe environment for children.

Documenting your concerns and acting quickly can support your child’s legal rights and contribute to their emotional and physical recovery.

The sooner you address the issue, the sooner your family can focus on your child’s healing and holding the facility accountable for the harm caused.

Signs of an abusive or unsafe daycare may include:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Frequent or repeated injuries labeled as accidents
• Fearful behavior or regression after attending daycare
• Staff refusing to provide injury reports or explain incidents
• Overcrowded rooms or inattentive caregivers
• Poor sanitation, hygiene, or disorganized conditions
• Lack of proper supervision or age-appropriate activities
• Dismissive responses to parental concerns or questions

How to Report Daycare Abuse or Neglect in Ohio

If you suspect that a child is experiencing abuse or neglect at a daycare facility in Ohio, it’s crucial to act promptly to ensure their safety.

Ohio law mandates certain professionals, including daycare employees, to report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect.

However, any concerned individual can and should report suspected abuse.

Reports can be made anonymously, and the reporter’s identity is kept confidential.

Taking action not only protects the child in question but also helps prevent potential harm to other children.

To report daycare abuse or neglect in Ohio:

1. Contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Call 1-855-OH-CHILD (1-855-642-4453), a 24/7 automated directory that connects callers to the appropriate child welfare or law enforcement office in their county.
2. Reach out to your local Child Protective Services (CPS): Locate your county’s CPS office through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website and report your concerns directly.
3. Provide detailed information: When making a report, include the child’s name, the daycare facility’s name and address, specific concerns, and any evidence or observations supporting your suspicion.
4. Follow up if necessary: After reporting, you may contact the agency to inquire about the status of the investigation, though specific details may be confidential.
5. Consult with a legal professional: If your child has been harmed, consider seeking advice from a legal expert specializing in daycare abuse cases to understand your rights and potential legal actions.

By reporting suspected abuse or neglect, you play a vital role in safeguarding children and ensuring that daycare facilities adhere to the highest standards of care and safety.

Types of Abuse and Negligence in Daycare Centers

Children in childcare settings rely on adults to provide a safe, structured environment—but when caregivers fail in that responsibility, the results can be devastating.

Emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and negligent supervision are among the most common forms of harm seen in daycare facilities.

These issues can arise when staff are untrained, overworked, or inattentive, putting small children at risk for both physical and emotional trauma.

Unsafe conditions—such as unsecured playground equipment or access to hazardous substances—may also reflect broader patterns of neglect.

Understanding the various forms of abuse and neglect is essential for identifying warning signs and protecting children from preventable harm.

Common types of daycare abuse and negligence include:

• Emotional abuse, such as yelling, shaming, or isolating children
• Physical abuse, including hitting, grabbing, or using excessive force
• Sexual abuse, involving any inappropriate or exploitative contact
• Negligent supervision, where children are left unattended or unsupervised
• Unsafe access to hazardous substances, like cleaning supplies or choking hazards
• Injuries caused by broken or poorly maintained playground equipment
• Failing to address injuries or report incidents to parents or authorities

When a child is injured due to negligence or abuse in a daycare setting, families may have the right to file a personal injury claim under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, which provides a two-year statute of limitations for most injury cases.

If the child’s injuries were caused by intentional harm, unsafe conditions, or inadequate supervision, the daycare provider can be held legally responsible for the damages.

Additionally, Ohio law imposes specific licensing and safety standards for daycare centers under Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 5101:2-12, which governs child-staff ratios, facility safety, and mandatory reporting procedures.

Violations of these standards may serve as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit.

Daycare workers and administrators are also considered mandatory reporters under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.421, meaning they are legally obligated to report any known or suspected child abuse or neglect.

A failure to report may result not only in administrative penalties but also in civil liability if the child suffers harm as a result.

The legal process requires gathering evidence, proving the daycare’s breach of duty, and demonstrating that the breach directly caused the child’s injuries.

Working with an experienced daycare injury attorney can help ensure these legal requirements are properly met.

Parents may pursue compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, future care needs, and other losses stemming from the injury.

Below are the steps involved in pursuing a daycare injury case in Ohio:

1. Initial Consultation with a Daycare Injury Lawyer – Review the facts of the case, assess potential liability, and discuss available legal options.
2. Investigation and Evidence Collection – Gather medical records, incident reports, eyewitness statements, facility inspection records, and surveillance footage.
3. Evaluation of Regulatory Violations – Analyze whether the daycare violated Ohio childcare licensing laws or safety standards outlined in OAC 5101:2-12.
4. Filing a Personal Injury Claim – File a claim against the daycare provider, owner, or third parties responsible for the injury.
5. Negotiation with the Daycare’s Insurance Company – Attempt to resolve the claim through settlement discussions based on the evidence and documented harm.
6. Filing a Lawsuit (if necessary) – If a fair settlement cannot be reached, proceed to civil litigation in accordance with Ohio personal injury laws.
7. Discovery and Pre-Trial Preparation – Exchange evidence, depose witnesses, and work with experts to support the case.
8. Trial or Settlement – Present the case in court or finalize a settlement agreement that compensates the family for all applicable damages.
9. Compensation Disbursement – Allocate funds for medical costs, future care, and the child’s long-term needs.
10. Monitoring for Future Compliance (if applicable) – In some cases, legal outcomes may require follow-up or reporting to regulatory agencies.

Gathering Evidence for Daycare Abuse Cases

In daycare abuse cases, strong evidence is essential to proving that the facility or its staff failed to provide a safe environment.

Documentation helps establish what happened, who was responsible, and how the child was harmed.

Without clear evidence, it becomes much more difficult to hold the daycare accountable or recover compensation.

Important evidence in daycare abuse cases may include:

• Medical records showing the nature and extent of the child’s injuries
• Photographs of visible injuries or unsafe facility conditions
• Incident reports filed by the daycare or emergency responders
• Witness statements from staff members, other parents, or children
• Surveillance footage from the daycare facility
• Records of previous complaints or regulatory violations
• Staff rosters and child-to-caregiver ratio logs
• Expert testimony on child safety standards or medical impact

Damages in Daycare Injury Lawsuits

In a lawsuit, damages refer to the financial compensation awarded to a victim to address the harm they’ve suffered due to another party’s negligence.

In daycare injury cases, this includes both measurable costs like medical bills and intangible losses such as emotional distress.

Personal injury lawyers evaluate the full impact of the injury—both short- and long-term—to pursue adequate compensation on behalf of the child and their family.

Attorneys gather documentation, consult medical experts, and review settlement offers to ensure any resolution reflects the true extent of the harm.

Seeking damages is not only about recovering costs—it’s about helping families seek justice and hold negligent daycare providers accountable.

Common types of damages in daycare injury lawsuits include:

• Medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, and follow-up treatment
• Future medical costs, including therapy or long-term rehabilitation
• Emotional distress experienced by the child or family
• Pain and suffering resulting from physical and psychological trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life due to permanent injuries or disabilities
• Costs associated with relocating the child to a new daycare facility
• Punitive damages in cases of willful misconduct or extreme negligence

If your child was injured while under the care of a daycare provider, you may be eligible to file a daycare injury lawsuit under Ohio personal injury law.

These claims typically arise when a daycare fails to provide proper supervision, maintain safe conditions, or follow state-mandated safety regulations.

Common qualifying scenarios include preventable accidents, unsafe environments, physical or emotional abuse, and injuries caused by neglect or lack of trained staff.

To qualify, you must show that the daycare owed your child a duty of care, breached that duty through negligence or misconduct, and directly caused your child’s injury as a result.

Ohio daycare centers are legally required to meet standards outlined in Ohio Administrative Code 5101:2-12, including child-staff ratios, safety protocols, and reporting procedures.

Violations of these rules can support a claim for negligence.

The severity of your child’s injuries, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the facility’s response all factor into whether you have a viable case.

A qualified daycare injury attorney can review your situation and help determine if you meet the legal criteria to pursue compensation for your child’s injuries and related losses.

When your child has been injured due to negligence or abuse in a daycare setting, you deserve a legal advocate who will stand up for your family and demand accountability.

At The Piscitelli Law Firm, we bring decades of experience to every case, working closely with families to uncover the truth, build strong claims, and pursue full compensation for the harm your child has suffered.

We take a limited number of cases to provide personalized, focused representation and dedicate the time and resources needed to advocate effectively for your child’s well-being.

Whether your case involves unsafe conditions, lack of supervision, or intentional abuse by a caregiver, we are prepared to help you seek justice.

Attorney Frank Piscitelli personally manages each case with a hands-on approach, consulting medical experts, reviewing facility practices, and handling communications with insurers to ensure no detail is overlooked.

We understand the emotional toll these cases take on parents, and we fight tirelessly to protect children and hold negligent daycare providers accountable.

If your child has been injured in a Cleveland daycare facility, contact The Piscitelli Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Call (216) 931-7000 or use the chat feature on this page to speak directly with a Cleveland daycare injury lawyer and learn how we can help your family move forward.

You can also use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a daycare injury claim instantly.