If your child suffers an injury because of the actions of a careless adult, you may have the right to take legal action against this person. A child injury lawyer could help you do so while protecting the rights and interests of your child. Additionally, a dedicated personal injury attorney could assist you in seeking compensation to help meet future needs, past expenses, and provide a sense of justice.
Potential Causes of Injuries to Children
Children can suffer bodily harm in any number of different circumstances. Still, some accidents and other dangerous situations may be more likely to happen to minors than others. A child injury attorney could assist with recovering compensation for:
- Injuries at daycare
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Birth injuries
- Animal attacks
- Choking hazards on a product
- Injuries on playgrounds and at amusement parks
The injuries stemming from these incidents may include broken bones, burns, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and severe lacerations. Unfortunately, in some cases, these traumatic injuries may leave lasting effects that require a lifetime of special care.
How Does Negligence Impact a Claim?
To recover damages for their child, a parent or legal guardian must prove that the negligence or deliberate wrongdoing of someone else caused their minor to sustain injuries. An attorney could look for evidence to connect the actions of the defendant to the child’s injuries.
When someone causes harm through negligence, the injury is an accident, meaning there was no intent to cause harm. Still, claims based on negligence try to prove that a child got hurt because someone owed them a duty care and this individual failed to fulfill that duty.
For instance, a driver owes a duty to others to pay attention and follow the rules of the road. If a driver fails to pay attention, by texting while driving for example, this motorist may be liable for the consequences. When a defendant’s misconduct is particularly egregious, such as getting behind the wheel while drunk, a court may order additional punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Statute of Limitations
The state statute of limitations requires those injured by the actions of others to file a claim for damages within a specified period of time. If they miss the deadline, they may lose the right to recover.
In most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations period is two years from the date of injury. However, different limits apply to certain situations. For instance, in medical malpractice cases, the deadline could come within one year. Additionally, state law gives some children who suffer injuries extended time to file a claim.
Individuals wishing to pursue a claim should work with a local lawyer long before the statutory deadline approaches. Knowledgeable legal counsel could help gather evidence to establish liability before the statutory deadline expires.
Contact a Child Injury Attorney
When a child suffers injuries caused by another, this minor and their family may be eligible to receive compensation to offset numerous different effects. These effects may include expenses such as medical bills, lost wages from a parent taking time off of work, and money for future needs.
Moreover, a child injury lawyer at Tittle & Perlmuter could work to hold the negligent party accountable for their careless and reckless behavior. To learn what may be possible in your situation, call today.
