Child Injury Lawyer in Pineland

Has your child been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence? Accidents that happen during childhood can have lasting physical impacts and emotional consequences that might follow your child into adulthood.

The aftermath of an injury caused to a child can be stressful and confusing, especially when your child is the one who’s been hurt. However, you are not alone. A child injury lawyer in Pineland from Viles & Beckman can represent you.

Established in 1995, our attorneys have more than Over 90 years of combined experience recovering over $100 million in compensation. As your Pineland personal injury lawyer, we will work hard for you. We’ll care for your case as we would for our own families.

Understanding Child Injuries in Florida

Children are naturally curious, energetic, and adventurous. These are incredible qualities that adults hope children retain for as long as possible, but at the same time, their innocence makes them more susceptible to injuries, especially compared to adults.

In the quiet coastal community of Pineland, where neighborhoods are often surrounded by bodies of water and engage in a lot of outdoor activities, children are at risk of encountering hazards that are unique to the area.

Furthermore, child injury cases often involve negligence. This means that someone failed to uphold a reasonable standard of care, and a child was harmed as a direct result of their actions—or lack thereof.

Common Causes of Incidents that Injure Children

Children can suffer harm in more than one type of environment, ranging from recreational spaces to school grounds. Here are some examples of circumstances that can cause harm to children.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of child injuries in the state of Florida. Children may be passengers in vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists struck by cars.

Florida law requires children under the age of five years old to be secured in a crash-tested and federally approved car seat.

However, even when they are properly restrained, it’s still possible for children to sustain serious injuries, especially in high-speed collisions or distracted driving crashes.

Playground and School Accidents

Playgrounds, daycare centers, and schools are places where injuries commonly occur. Faulty playground equipment, lack of supervision, or unsafe premises can contribute to broken bones, concussions, and other types of harm.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Florida has one of the highest rates of swimming pool accidents involving children. In fact, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children between the ages of one and four years old across the state.

The area’s coastal setting increases its prevalence of private pools, which makes this a pressing concern. To mitigate this issue, state laws require residential pools to have barriers—such as fences or alarms—to reduce the chances of accidental drownings.

Defective Products and Toys

Children often come into contact with toys, furniture, and consumer products that may not always be safe.

Defective car seats, cribs, and toys with choking hazards can all cause major injuries. Both manufacturers and distributors alike can be held accountable under Florida product liability laws when defective products hurt children.

Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries

Child injuries can also occur in medical settings. Birth injuries—such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or hypoxic brain injury—can result from negligence during labor and delivery.

Pediatric malpractice also falls under this category. Examples include medication-related errors and failure to diagnose illnesses.

Florida Laws Protecting Children

Florida has several statutes in place designed to protect children. These laws reflect the state’s recognition of children and their level of vulnerability. The legalities cover issues such as supervision, safety standards, and liability.

Let’s take a look at some Florida state laws protecting children from injury.

Child Safety Restraint Laws

Under Florida Statute §316.613, children who are five years old and younger must ride in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. Violations of this statute can result in fines as well as points on the driver’s record.

Swimming Pool Safety Requirements

The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requires at least one safety feature—such as a barrier, pool cover, or alarm—to be in place at all times. Property owners can face civil liability consequences if a child gains unsupervised access to a pool and gets hurt as a result.

Premises Liability and Attractive Nuisance Doctrine

Florida recognizes the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. This applies when property owners fail to safeguard potentially dangerous features that are likely to attract children, such as pools, trampolines, or construction sites.

Property owners can even be held liable if the child who entered their property was trespassing at the time of the incident.

Comparative Negligence

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As a result, if a child is partially responsible for the incident that left them injured, their percentage of fault might reduce the amount of damages they are eligible to recover.

However, the law generally accounts for the child’s age as well as his or her ability to understand the risk associated with their actions.

Call Us to Speak With a Pineland Child Injury Law Firm

If your child was injured due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Childhood injuries can leave families feeling stressed, anxious, and uncertain, but you don’t have to handle everything by yourself.

Instead, reach out to the law firm of Viles & Beckman. Our Pineland child injury lawyers have the knowledge and experience to handle your case and advocate for your child’s rights. Your child deserves care and protection.

Together, our Pineland child injury attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you need to support your child’s recovery. Don’t wait any longer to reach out to us for help. We’re here for you, and we’re ready to work toward holding the at-fault parties accountable.