What Constitutes Child Neglect in Georgia?
There is a broad spectrum of behaviors and actions that can constitute child neglect. In general, however, most instances of neglect fall into one of three categories:
- Physical neglect, which commonly includes failing to ensure that your child has adequate food, clothing, or shelter. It can also include leaving your child alone to care for themselves or forcing them from a care facility without another person there to care for them.
- Medical neglect, which includes ignoring your child’s illness or injury or denying them necessary medical care. It can also include failing or refusing to administer medication.
- Lack of supervision means failing to provide adequate supervision to protect your child from harm is also considered neglect.
Many people fail to recognize that they may have a claim because neglect and negligent supervision may result in unintentional harm. This is not the case. If your child has suffered harm due to neglect or negligent supervision, you should contact an Atlanta child neglect lawyer as soon as possible.
Types of Negligent Supervision of Children
Negligent supervision is when a care provider fails to make a reasonable effort to protect your child from harm. This can take on many forms, but here are the most common:
- Failure to supervise children, which is when the children are left without any adult supervision, leaving them exposed to various potential hazards. This can arise in a single incident or be a part of a larger pattern.
- Failure to supervise employees often occurs in organizations that are in charge of our children’s safety. There should be supervisors who ensure that the employees are doing their jobs. When supervisors fail to do their jobs, employees can be left to do as they wish. This can result in negligence on their part but also expose the children to actual abusive behavior.
- Inadequate supervision is supervision that is haphazard can be just as dangerous as no supervision at all. This also includes situations where the organization is understaffed and unable to provide adequate supervision for the number of children they are responsible for.
- Lack of training, policies, or procedures can lead to injuries. Organizations that are responsible for children should also ensure that their staff has adequate training to keep the children safe. In addition, the organization should have clear and comprehensive policies or procedures in place that protect against harm and provide guidance in the event of an emergency.
Child neglect and negligent supervision are closely related – negligent supervision allows the neglect to take place and then go undetected. If your child has suffered an injury or other harm as a result of negligent supervision, an Atlanta child negligence lawyer can review your case and determine whether you have a claim.
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