As loving parents, we do everything we can to keep our children safe from harm. Unfortunately, there are situations we can’t foresee where someone else’s carelessness causes injury to our little ones. Whether it’s a falling accident on a dangerous property, a dog bite from a neighbor’s pet, or a serious car accident with a reckless driver, such child injuries deserve legal reparations.
In the Inland Empire, call Gavel Law Firm if your child was injured by someone else’s negligence. We are a highly trusted personal injury firm with advantageous experience in the insurance industry. Using our unique insider background, we have maximized the compensation of our clients, including parents and guardians whose children were injured.
Your consultation with us is free, and you won’t have to pay us until we win for you. Call Gavel Law Firm at (951) 289-0202.
Can I File a Compensation Claim for My Child’s Injury?
Yes – if your child’s injury occurred due to another party’s negligence, you (as the legal parent or guardian) may file a personal injury claim on the minor’s behalf. Your child may also file the claim themselves when they reach 18 years of age.
Not all childhood injuries are merely due to the child’s young age or innocence. In countless cases, an adult’s negligence is a major factor. An example is when kids get injured on shoddy playground equipment or nearly drown at someone’s unsupervised swimming pool. In such cases, the negligent parties may be held liable to pay for the child’s injuries and other associated losses.
Here are common situations where you can claim for your child’s injury:
- Slipping, tripping, or falling accidents
- Car crashes or school bus accidents
- Pedestrian or school zone accidents
- Bicycle or scooter accidents
- Defective products (like toys and gadgets)
- Amusement park accidents
- Dog bites or animal attacks
- Daycare or babysitting accidents
- School accidents
- Sports accidents
- Drowning or near-drowning
- Suffocation
- Poisoning
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injuries
- Assault
- Child abuse (including physical or sexual abuse).
To pursue an efficient child injury claim in Southern California, reach out to Gavel Law Firm. We have the experience, skill, and aggressiveness to fight for the full compensation that you and your family deserve. We know it’s heartbreaking to see your child suffer, that’s why we pour our personal commitment to help you achieve a sense of justice.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Minors’ Personal Injury in California?
The statute of limitations (time limit) for personal injury lawsuits in California is two years. If the injured is a minor, the two-year clock starts running on the day they turn 18. This means that once your child reaches legal age, they have until their 20th birthday to sue for the injury they suffered as a minor. Likewise, you as the parent may sue for your child’s personal injury until the child turns 20.
Note that there are exceptions to this general rule. For instance, claims based on medical malpractice may have a longer statute of limitations, while claims against government entities may have time limits as short as six months.
It’s important to act right away and avoid delays in your claim. The longer you wait, the more likely it is for crucial evidence to disappear and for witnesses’ memory to falter. Insurance adjusters may also take delays as a sign that your claim is not serious enough.
As early as possible, start taking action by consulting a personal injury lawyer. Our experienced child injury attorney at Gavel Law Firm will provide a free consultation to evaluate your claim and guide you on your best next steps.
What is the Average Settlement for Child Injuries in California?
It’s not uncommon for child injury settlements to range from $100,000 to $1,000,000, but there is no true ‘average’ amount in these cases. Each claim is a unique combination of factors, hence case outcomes vary widely. To know how much your child injury claim could be worth, get an assessment from a reliable attorney.
What are the Most Common Childhood Injuries?
In California and elsewhere, the most common childhood injuries include:
- Cuts and scrapes
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones (fractures)
- Dog bites
- Burns
- Joint injuries (hurt ankles, wrists, elbows, or knees)
- Head injuries (including concussions and other traumatic brain injuries)
- Neck or shoulder injuries
- Back or spine injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Birth injuries (such as cerebral palsy, oxygen deprivation, or shoulder dystocia).
How Common are Child Injuries in California?
Statistics show that hundreds of thousands of kids are hurt in accidents each year in California. In 2021 alone, 503,541 children under 18 were taken to emergency rooms and 13,257 were hospitalized due to unintentional injuries in the state. Of these, 32,757 child injuries occurred in Riverside County.
According to the latest data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), these were some of the top causes of children’s ER injuries in 2021:
- Falling incidents – 189,502 injuries
- Getting struck by or against an object – 92,584 injuries
- Getting cut or pierced – 24,058 injuries
- Motor vehicle accidents (child occupants) – 23,424 injuries
- Animal bites – 22,500 injuries.
What Actions Should You Take When a Child is Injured?
The most important action to take when a child is injured is to get medical attention. Even if the injury seems minor, it could have significant effects on a child’s developing body. In addition, many accident injuries initially seem negligible until they manifest more symptoms later on. Timely medical care could spell the difference between well-being and a serious condition.
Also start collecting evidence as soon as you can. If possible, take photos and videos of the accident scene, as well as any visible harm to your child. Keep all medical records, prescriptions, doctors’ referrals, receipts, and other relevant documentation.
Dealing with your child’s injury can be costly and highly distressing, that’s why the law provides legal avenues for you to claim much-needed compensation. For this, enlist a personal injury attorney with experience in child injuries.
You’ll want to contact a lawyer early on in the case. This gives you a headstart in compiling evidence and protects your rights from insurers trying to minimize your claim.
Contact a Riverside Child Injury Lawyer from Gavel Law Firm
Inland Empire families trust Gavel Law Firm to handle their injury claims. Our firm has distinct experience from the insurance side, which we now use as an advantage in winning maximum compensation for the injured. We combine this beneficial knowledge with tireless work and assertiveness to negotiate for the most favorable outcomes for our clients.
Consult with Gavel Law Firm for free. We won’t charge any lawyer fees until we obtain compensation for you and your child. Call us now at (951) 289-0202.
