Home » Daycare Abuse Lawyer
Daycare Abuse Lawyer in Ohio & Kentucky
When Trust is Broken – Legal Help From Daycare and Childcare Abuse Attorneys in Cincinnati, OH & Covington, KY
Every parent wants to believe their child is safe at daycare. When a daycare center fails to provide that safety and a child suffers a serious injury or trauma as a result, the impact can be life-altering for the entire family. As a trusted daycare abuse law firm serving families in Covington, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, Lawrence, Beirne & Lewis is here to help parents take action and protect their children.
We represent families across Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio in daycare injury cases involving physical abuse, sexual abuse, negligent supervision, unsafe premises, and other forms of daycare negligence. Our law firm regularly handles serious personal injury and premises liability claims like these, and we are committed to holding every negligent party accountable for the harm caused while we seek compensation appropriate to our clients’ injuries.

We understand the emotional weight of placing your child in someone else’s care. You rely on that daycare facility to supervise, protect, and support your child daily. When that trust is broken, parents are left searching for answers and help to move forward.
If your child suffered injuries, emotional distress, or any other harm while in a daycare or childcare facility, call (800) 698-4054 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Northern KY or Cincinnati daycare injury lawyer on our team.
Schedule a FREE Consultation
Schedule a Free Consultation
Types of Abuse That Can Occur at a Daycare Center
Abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, neglect, sexual assault, and the unauthorized use of medication. Each of these situations can put a child’s well-being at risk in an environment that is supposed to be safe for them.
Physical Abuse at Daycare
Physical abuse is one of the most recognizable and damaging forms of daycare abuse. It occurs when staff members use force or violence against a child, leading to harm or the risk of harm. This may include hitting, kicking, shaking, or striking a child, as well as using restraints or excessive physical discipline. In some cases, physical abuse also involves withholding food, water, or basic care.
Children who suffer this type of abuse may show visible injuries such as bruises, scratches, or broken bones, but the impact often extends far beyond physical harm, causing long-term fear and emotional trauma.
Emotional Abuse at Daycare
Emotional abuse is more difficult to detect than physical injuries. It may involve repeated yelling, verbal threats, humiliation, or isolating a child from other children. These actions can affect a child’s development, behavior, and sense of safety. If your child becomes withdrawn, regresses in their behavior, or seems unusually anxious, these may be signs that emotional abuse has occurred at your child’s daycare facility.
Daycare Negligence
Daycare negligence occurs when a daycare provider fails to meet basic standards of care expected in a childcare facility. This may involve inadequate supervision, leaving children near exposed wires or slippery floors, failing to prevent allergic reactions from shared snacks, or not maintaining clean conditions. Some facilities may also fail to provide adequate food or water during the day, placing children at risk of harm.
If your child fell, suffered injuries, or was exposed to unsafe conditions due to daycare negligence, our experienced Covington and Cincinnati personal injury lawyers at Lawrence, Beirne & Lewis can help identify the responsible parties and take legal action on your behalf.
Daycare Sexual Assault Cases
Sexual abuse is a horrifying violation that requires immediate attention. Behavioral signs might include fear of specific people, genital discomfort, or inappropriate knowledge of sexual behavior. A daycare sexual abuse lawyer can investigate claims, work with child psychologists, and help you take legal action promptly.
It is critical to report suspicions to authorities, collect necessary evidence, and contact our injury lawyers as early as possible. Depending on the circumstances, families may also have grounds to seek punitive damages.
Drugging Children — Melatonin or Benadryl Abuse
There is growing concern nationwide about daycare workers using melatonin or Benadryl to sedate children without parental consent. This unauthorized sedation at daycare can put children at risk of allergic reactions, overdoses, and potential developmental delays.
If you suspect that your child’s caregiver has misused Benadryl or given melatonin (or other sedatives) without your approval, it is critical to act quickly. Contact Lawrence, Beirne & Lewis to discuss your legal options and pursue accountability against those responsible for this dangerous conduct.

Warning Signs of Abuse at a Daycare or Childcare Facility
Parents often sense when something feels wrong. If your child begins acting out, regressing in behavior, or showing fear about attending daycare, these may be more than isolated incidents. Such changes can serve as warning signs of potential abuse or neglect and should never be dismissed.
Watch for potential warning signs such as:
- Withdrawal, aggression, or clinginess
- Unexplained bruises or broken bones
- Bedwetting after being fully potty-trained
- Fear of certain adults or locations
- Sudden changes in appetite or sleep
If your child suffered emotional distress or physical trauma, our personal injury attorneys can help you take the next step. Our law firm is prepared to aggressively advocate for your child’s well-being and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Can You Sue a Daycare Provider for Abuse?
Yes. You can sue a daycare center, individual daycare workers, or other responsible parties if your child was harmed due to abuse or negligence. These childcare facilities are legally required to provide a safe environment and properly supervise every child in their care. When they fail to follow these standards, our injury lawyers can help you file a personal injury lawsuit for the harm caused.
Licensed daycare centers must comply with state safety regulations designed to prevent accidents and protect children from foreseeable risks. A failure to follow hiring protocols, address known safety concerns, or respond to prior incidents involving criminal charges may establish a clear breach of duty.
In some cases, facilities may attempt to use a liability waiver to avoid responsibility, but these do not protect them from accountability when negligence or abuse is involved.

Daycare Abuse Settlements and Compensation for Families
When a child is harmed in a daycare or child care setting, the impact extends far beyond the initial injury. The physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming, and families who take legal action may be entitled to compensation that covers both immediate and long-term needs.
Damages may include:
- Medical expenses for hospital visits, emergency treatment, medications, or surgery
- Therapy or counseling for trauma, developmental regression, or behavioral issues
- Emotional distress experienced by the child and their family
- Long-term psychological harm requiring continued support or intervention
- Dental injuries that require corrective or future treatment
- Pain and suffering related to abuse, neglect, or serious injury
- Punitive damages in cases involving intentional abuse or repeated violations
At Lawrence, Beirne & Lewis, our attorneys work to prove liability, identify negligent parties, and demonstrate the full extent of the harm caused. We take every step to hold accountable those who failed to keep your child safe and fight for full compensation, including other damages related to disrupted child care and ongoing family hardship.
How to Sue Daycare for Abuse
If your child was harmed in a child care setting, the legal process begins with gathering clear evidence and taking prompt action. These early steps are key to holding the daycare and responsible parties accountable for the harm caused.
- Document signs of abuse or neglect — Take photos of physical injuries, collect medical records, and write down any concerning behavior or statements from your child.
- Report the incident to state authorities — Contact your local child protective services agency or licensing authority, Hamilton County Job and Family Services in Cincinnati, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Covington; or file a police report to trigger an investigation.
- Request records from the daycare — Ask for incident reports, staffing logs, and surveillance footage (if available) that may support your claim.
- Consult a daycare abuse attorney — An experienced lawyer can assess the facts, determine liability, and file a legal claim on your behalf.
- Pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit — You may be entitled to damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and future counseling costs.
No parent expects to build a legal case against those trusted with their child’s care, but action is necessary when that trust is broken. A well-prepared claim not only seeks justice for your child’s injuries but also helps protect other children from being placed in the same danger.

Why Choose Lawrence, Beirne & Lewis as Your Kentucky or Ohio Daycare Abuse Lawyer?
Lawrence, Beirne & Lewis represents clients in child injury, premises liability, medical malpractice, and personal injury cases across Kentucky and Ohio. With offices in Covington and Cincinnati, we offer both local insight and convenient access to families in need of trusted legal support.
Every daycare abuse case is unique, and our attorneys provide representation tailored to the specific harm your child has endured. We are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and pursuing full compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial impact on your family.
At our firm, each case is personally managed by an experienced attorney and reviewed with meticulous care. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not owe legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
How Our Childcare Abuse Attorneys Investigate Your Claim
When families come to us, we act quickly to begin a thorough investigation into the child’s injuries and the circumstances surrounding the incident. This process involves reviewing medical records, taking detailed photographs, interviewing daycare staff, other parents, and eyewitnesses, and examining surveillance footage, staffing schedules, and internal facility reports. We also consult with child psychologists and pediatricians to assess trauma and long-term impacts.
By identifying the negligent party and gathering the necessary evidence, our Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati child injury lawyers build a strong legal case to hold the appropriate individuals or facility accountable. From the initial contact through each step of the legal process, we aim to protect your child’s rights and pursue justice on your behalf.

Was Your Child Injured at a Daycare Facility? Speak With a Covington or Cincinnati Daycare Abuse Lawyer Today
If your child was harmed at a daycare center in Kentucky or Ohio, take immediate action. As soon as abuse or neglect is suspected or confirmed, it’s important to seek medical attention and begin documenting what occurred. Early steps like gathering medical records and speaking with qualified injury lawyers can help protect your child’s well-being and support your legal claim.
The sooner you reach out for legal representation from our Ohio and Kentucky daycare injury lawyers, the sooner we can begin investigating the daycare facility, collecting evidence, and building a case tailored to your specific situation. We offer free case consultations and handle every matter with the discretion and sensitivity it deserves.
Your child deserves a safe environment, your family deserves answers and justice, and the individuals responsible for causing your child harm deserve to be held responsible for their actions. For a free consultation, call our toll-free number at (800) 698-4054, contact our Ohio office at (513) 651-4130, our Kentucky office at (859) 578-9130, or connect with us online today.