“Negligent supervision” is the formal term for when a caretaker who is responsible for the safety and well-being of another person fails to take appropriate care of them. Typically, although not always, this means someone like a babysitter, nanny, or teacher failing to keep children from getting injured or sick due to foreseeable sources of harm. Here are seven possible ways to identify if your loved ones may have been the victim of negligent supervision:


  • They have unexplained injuries
      • One of the most obvious signs of negligent supervision is that your loved one has injuries, and their caretaker cannot explain why or how they got them. It could be a sign they are simply not paying enough attention, or it could be a sign they are covering up abuse, but either way, it should be seen as worrying.
  • The caretaker loses track of them
      • Caretakers who are put in charge of children or other dependents should always have an idea of where they are, even if they are not directly watching over them. If the caretaker loses track of them, or does not seem concerned about their whereabouts, that can be a sign of negligent supervision.
  • Their facilities are dirty or unhygienic
      • Any facility that watches over children or other vulnerable people should be kept as clean as possible to avoid the spread of disease. However, if it is clear they do not clean, take out garbage, or perform other tasks necessary to maintain good hygiene, it could be a sign of possible negligent supervision.
  • There are hazardous areas that are not kept off limits
      • Children, in particular, tend to be curious, and will explore anywhere that seems interesting, which can be an issue if there are dangerous areas they should not go to. Caretakers should keep children away from these places, which may include boiler rooms, construction areas, and anywhere else children are at a higher risk of harm.
  • There are dangerous items within reach of children
      • By the same token, children do not know what is safe for them to handle, and may grab at anything left within their reach. If you see items like knives, cleaning chemicals, or batteries at a level where children can reach them, it may be a sign of negligent supervision.
  • They do not intervene to stop bullying or fighting
      • Caretakers are supposed to stop any violence or bullying from happening, and address it appropriately if they receive a report of it occurring. If they instead ignore fighting or bullying, or fail to address reports in a timely fashion, that could indicate negligent supervision.
  • They do not keep vehicles secure
    • Suffice it to say that children should not be driving cars or other motor vehicles, nor should anyone else who requires constant care and supervision. If you see a child behind the wheel of a car, that is a pretty good sign that someone has not done their job supervising that child.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.