If you are a parent, you know that you would do anything necessary to protect your children. That is why seeing your child get hurt because of someone else’s irresponsibility can be the most helpless feeling imaginable. However, you may be able to file a civil claim and recover financial compensation with the help of our compassionate DeLand child injury lawyer.
At The Florida Firm, we understand your desire to seek justice for your children. Our team of personal injury attorneys has decades of combined experience handling complex cases and achieving favorable settlements with insurance companies and verdicts in the courtroom. We focus on helping victims and their families restore their lives after a devastating incident, and that is what we do.
What Are the Common Causes of Child Injuries?
Kids are naturally curious and constantly learning through their everyday activities and interactions with the world. Unfortunately, this means that they do not know how to protect themselves in certain situations. Having adequate adult supervision is one of the best ways to prevent serious injuries while also allowing them to learn and gain experience.
In this sense, the lack of supervision is perhaps the most common cause of childhood injuries. This is especially problematic when it happens in places where we trust other adults to watch the children, such as in a daycare or at the pool.
Sometimes, injuries can occur due to defective designs or hazardous products. For example, playground equipment must be properly manufactured and regularly maintained to ensure that it is safe for kids to use. Similar responsibilities apply to toys and other things that you may use for your children, such as strollers and car seats.
Another way children could be harmed is at birth. The birth of our children is an exciting time, but we need our doctor’s skill and expertise to ensure the baby is born healthy and ready to begin life. When a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional fails to provide the proper standard of care, it could result in an injury to the newborn.
These cases may be challenging because determining responsibility may require an extensive investigation and review of the facts. Sometimes, there could be more than one responsible party. Our attorneys have experience pursuing claims on behalf of injured children in DeLand, and we can help families navigate these complexities to work toward a successful outcome.
Filing a Child Injury Claim
You have to be over the age of 18 to file a lawsuit, but a minor’s parents or legal guardians may file a claim on their behalf. Similar to adults, an injured child is entitled to claim many of the same types of compensation, including:
- Hospital bills
- Costs of long-term care
- Rehabilitation treatment
- Emotional anguish
- Punitive damages
As in all injury claims, the available compensation and amount will vary depending on the extent of the harm and other circumstances surrounding the accident.
The state has a time limit for filing these claims. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(a), the window is two years after the incident that caused the injury. However, the law makes some exceptions for medical malpractice in Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(c), which allows a claim to be filed two years after the injury is discovered. The law grants additional leeway for malpractice claims filed on a minor’s behalf before their eighth birthday.
Regardless of these exceptions, it is vital to seek advice from a well-practiced attorney in DeLand immediately after your child is hurt. Our proactive team can begin working on your child’s claim by gathering medical documents and investigating the scene of the accident.
Contact Our DeLand Lawyers To Discuss Your Child Injury Case
Accidents involving children are emotionally challenging and could involve complex legal procedures. A DeLand child injury lawyer from Colling Gilbert Wright could help you seek justice.
Other law firms frequently refer clients to us due to our proven track record of success. For example, we secured a verdict of over $1 million for the family of a five-year-old child who was left unsupervised at the pool. Call us today to speak with one of our attorneys.