Need Advice - Saint Louis, MO

It sounds like the day care is doing the right thing, so I would leave it at that. If something else happens, then the story changes and you start to look closer at the situation.

I agree with the previous poster. It doesn't sound like it was negligence. That sort of injury must happen a million times per year all over the world. I once had a mother call me looking for care and she said her son lost his thumb in a door at adventure club! I'm so glad it's not any worse for your son. I can't imagine what else should or could be done now. I've seen many kids get their fingers in a door and thankfully, none ever needed stitches.

This really is very scary. But most often it does happen when a child does it to another child. I am sure the teacher feels terrible! I know I would.

Suzi

tylonal and motrin these guys dont need much for pain. my son broke his arm needing surgery to fix, they gave him tylanol with codine and he wouldnt take it, plus the big dogs come with more side effects. be a mommy and kiss it better. the daycare is paying for the er bill so leave it at that unless you feel it was not an accident than proceed to talk to the owner, this will end up messy fast and really teach no one a lesson. the person more than likely is upset about how big it already is.

Good Morning S., So sorry for your little guy's booboo. I think it is great daycare is handleing the costs of the injury. Accidents do happen daily, I don't think anything else is necessary on your part or the daycare provider, I am pretty sure they were just as upset as you were.
You might keep a list of Dr. visits or charges you are giving for the care of the injury. Ask the day care if they wanted to wait for a complete total of the bills or receive them as they come in.

Childrens tylenol, motrin, will help with the pain some, keep the bandage clean and dry. Little hands are active and it will get bumped, laid on at night or ache at times. All I can think of is to give him lots of Woow woow's ( our version of love N hugs ) tell him it wil be good as new soon.

God Bless
K.

Paying the bills is taking responsibility for their actions. Accidents happen.

Call the ER back with the pain medication question. Since your son was seen there already,they should be willing to provide you with some information--or call your doctor. If the daycare will pay the bills, why would you want to do anything else? Doubt that you have a case for a lawsuit, especially since you already admitted it was an accident. And if you were to take legal action, I doubt your son would be welcome at that daycare anymore.

Good morning S.!
What I would do is just keep documentation of what happened along with the ER report. I'm sure it was a total accident and that the teacher feels really bad. With the whole "school taking responsibility" issue, I believe they have sone quite a good job. They are paying the bills. Give them the benefit of the doubt. If it happens again then I would definately think about doing something...

-K.

I'm sorry about your son's injury, it's tough to deal with your own kid in pain.
Don't be afraid to call the ER or your dr. I would use some ice, but I'm not a health care provider. I'm not sure how you are about "bribery" but I would give my kid a popsicle, put ice on the finger for at least as long as the popsicle lasts - ice for you, ice for your finger. Also, make sure the wound doesn't get infected. That is just going to delay the healing.

As for the responsibility of your day care, I would be cautious. I am not a lawyer, maybe someone will provide you another answer. First of all, don't sign anything. My concern would be what if there is any long term damage? What if it gets infected and have additional medical expenses? If you have had to take off work and your sons has had to miss day care, you might at least ask for a bit of discount on your day care fees? That "cost" you also. Your daycare center should have some kind of accident report, make sure you have one with original signatures.

As long as you have no reason to believe that anything improper happened, it sounds like the daycare IS doing the responsible thing. I don't think it's possible to run a daycare without some child getting hurt sometime. Accidents happen. If you are at all concerned about the incident, and are wondering if there was some kind of neglect, then you should talk to the teacher and the director, and voice your concerns. Talk to other parents to find out if any of their children have been injured. Otherwise, drop it.

I agree that it sounds like the daycare is doing their part. Accidents happen and as long as you are happy there, I don't think you need to worry about it. I'm sure the teacher already feels really bad. There is no reason to make it worse. The hardest thing that you will have to do is keep him away from those stitches. In a day or two he shouldn't really be hurting that much but he will probably be super curious about the bandage and the stitches. Ice might help but be careful not to get the stitches wet. Poor little guy! I feel for you mom.

For goodness sake they are paying the bills. They have accepted responsiblity....I'm a mom and smashed my son's fingers in the car door once....Accidents happen, that is why they call them accidents. If this was a common occurance that is different. One time thing, let it go.
Pain, my doctor has me switch back and forth between Tylenol and Motrin. Basically they are getting a double dose but it is 2 different meds.

It sounds like the daycare has already taken responsibility for their actions by paying for the medical bills. As long as they've apologized and actually pay up, I'd say the issue is closed. It was an accident, sometimes these things just happen. My husband accidentally closed our daughter's fingers in the door a month or so ago... it was horrible!

Besides Tylenol and Motrin, I'd maybe try icing them a bit if he'll let you. Poor kiddo! I hope it heals quickly!

I agree with other posters....I would be horrified if this happened to my daughter, but I also know that she's been in fabulous care, yet she could easily get hurt accidentally mainly because they do actively explore, play, etc. If you have faith that your day care provider is loving and takes reasonable precautions, I'd just help comfort your son, let them pay the medical bills, & then leave it at that. Had they actively done something to harm him, it would be different. And don't hesitate to call back and ask the hospital or your ped. for suggestions for pain management.....of course you forgot to ask! No one can think of everything in a situation like that...

So sorry you're going through this! But trust that it's probably harder on you right now than on him.

Best wishes for a quick recovery...
G.

Like you said, it was totally an accident, so let them pay the medical bills and let it go at that. I'm sure the teacher feels horrible enough about the accident.
As far as helping with pain, ice packs might help. You can leave one on the injured area for up to 20 minutes and repeat hourly as needed. Lanacaine ointment might be helpful too, it has an antiseptic ingredient and another ingredient that helps numb the area.

Well, if you are really upset about what happened you could move him to another facility. I would definantly make sure they pay the bills and if you have to get a lawyer to do so then so be it! You need to worry about your child and getting him taken care of. The insurance company will try to go cheap - dont let them! I am dealing with a similiar situation at the moment, and it has almost been a year and we have seen nothing!!!! My daughter has a horrible scar that needs plastic surgery and we are still waiting for the insurance company to get their heads out of their bottoms. Anyway, the important thing is to take care of your kid - no matter whos feelings you hurt or who you upset, moms were put on this earth for a reason - to protect our babies.
As far as the pain, try cold packs and if you can get him to wear a sling to keep his finger somewhat elevated that will help. Good luck to you! E.

ice packs will help with any swelling along with the motirn/tylenol you are already giving. as for the accident, if it was just an accident the other then inquiring about an accident report you should have to sign off on there is nothing else to do. If your son is getting hurt (seriously) more often then it may be time to look for a new daycare.

I agree with Jenny B.

well you can call his pediatrician and ask for capitol with codeine, it's a kind of tylenol with a small amount of codeine in it, works great. just have them call in the script. if they are paying the bills great but make sure they pay the bill to get the sutures removed as well. and if you can't get the capitol give tylenol and then 3 hours later give motrin, then 3 hours later give tylenol, just alternate it. it works great and decreases the swelling, my son fell on a metal tent stake and split his knee to the bone and that's all he needed, but his wasn't a crushing injury like your kiddos so he may need more. good luck!

Well with the billing advice did they take him into the ER themselves and fill out the paper work and if so how did they do the billing as to where should we send the bill if it was sent to the Daycare then I would be ok with it but make sure at the billing cycle that they do agree to still pay as mentioned then from there 30 day's usually call the hospital to see if they received payment.
Also for pain if your lil guy will let you put a cold pack on it or setout a bowl of ice with a lil water and let him play with it outside or in highchair instead of resticting him to your lap.This will help knumb his fingers and lessen the pain.sahm of 2 kids

S.,

After two boys in daycare, I have learned they will get hurt more than once. I think if the daycare is willing to pay the bills to thank them and accept their offer. Then let it go. My oldest son was bitten several times by older kids when we went to daycare. One parent apologized the other shrugged it off and said her son was teething, no big deal. Well it was at that time to me. My attitude cost me a friend.

Don't make a huge deal. Present the bills to them and follow up to make sure they paid them as promised but don't be gouchy, pushy, and a witch about it. If they become unwilling to pay, find another daycare if possible. But make note, if you do not handle this is a mature, responsible way, you will quickly become ousted from area daycares.

Daycare providers do talk amongst themselves. They know who has the problem children and who has the angels. Which parents are easy to get along with and which ones are the problems themselves. I've seen it happen more than once around hear.

One last thing you need to realize as a parent. You're going to make mistakes. No one is the perfect parent. Not even Super Nanny!

Best Wishes,

J. H.

My 4yo daughter just smashed her finger last week. She went to go catch a 35lbs dumbell from hitting a little babys foot. So I feel your pain. They had told us to ice her finger every 30 min. until the swelling was down. You can give them motrin and tylenol alternating them. Other than that there is not much you can do. Lots of hugs and kisses always helps heal the babys heart too!! LOL For the daycare to say that they are paying I would ask for something in writing. That way if they don't pay or do anything you have proof for your records. Unfortunately this day and age you cannot take somebodys word anymore. Good luck to you!!

~S.

Hi, S.!

The daycare is paying the bills, so they are taking responsibility for the accident. If you would like re-assurance, make an appointment and talk to the Director of the daycare center about your concerns.

Also, call your doctor or the ER and get their advice to help your son through the pain.

Sorry to hear about your little one's accident.