Child Injury Lawyer in Punta Gorda

Was your child hurt due to circumstances stemming from someone else’s recklessness or carelessness? These incidents can arise in a variety of settings, ranging from playing on the swings at school to hanging out in seemingly safe places, like a neighbor’s backyard.

Unfortunately, accidents involving children can turn everyday events into emergencies. The sudden shift can put families like yours into a state of shock. This can leave you feeling rather overwhelmed and confused about what to do next, outside of making sure your child is okay.

As soon as possible, it’s important to call a child injury lawyer in Punta Gorda. At Viles & Beckman, we can represent you as your Punta Gorda personal injury lawyer. With over 40 years of combined experience, we’ve recovered more than $100 million, and we’re here for you.

Understanding Child Injuries in Punta Gorda

Children are naturally curious and full of energy, but their vulnerability makes them more prone to accidents and injuries than adults.

Injuries stemming from accidents involving children can stem from many circumstances. While some accidents are truly unavoidable, others stem from negligent actions or inaction, both of which were preventable.

Since children can’t fully recognize dangers or protect themselves in unsafe situations, even a momentary lapse in safety can lead to devastating outcomes.

Common Causes of Child Injuries in Florida

These are examples of circumstances that can put children in harm’s way:

• Motor vehicle incidents: Children may be injured as passengers, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Even with car seats and seat belts in place, accidents can still cause severe harm.
• Playground and school accidents: Poorly maintained equipment, unsafe surfaces, and inadequate supervision can result in falls and fractures.
• Swimming pool incidents: Florida’s year-round warm weather and abundance of pools—both residential and public—can put children at a higher risk of drowning. Near-drowning incidents can still cause damage, too.
• Dog bites and animal attacks: Children cannot always gauge when an animal feels threatened, which is why children are particularly vulnerable to incidents involving dog bites.
• Defective products: Toys, furniture, and child care products that are either poorly designed or incorrectly manufactured can cause choking hazards, burns, and other serious injuries.
• Medical negligence: Children can suffer long-term consequences from improper medical treatment, delayed diagnoses, or birth injuries.

Types of Injuries Children Commonly Sustain

Child injuries range in severity, but many of them can leave children facing long-lasting physical damage and emotional effects. Let’s take a look at common examples of injuries children often sustain:

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Children are especially susceptible to concussions and brain damage from falls or car accidents, which can affect cognitive and developmental growth.
• Broken bones and fractures: These are frequent outcomes of playground accidents, bicycle crashes, and falls.
• Spinal cord injuries: Though less common, they can result in lifelong mobility challenges.
• Burns: Children can sustain burns from hot surfaces, liquids, or defective household products.
• Internal injuries: Damage to the organs might not always be visible at first, but this can be life-threatening if left untreated for too long.
• Psychological trauma: Beyond the physical injuries, children can suffer emotional distress after being hurt in an accident. This can affect their mental health and development, not only immediately but over time, too.

Florida Laws on Child Injury Cases

Florida law recognizes that children cannot be held to the same standard of responsibility as adults. In many cases, the courts apply what is called the “reasonable child” standard.

This measures a child’s behavior against what would reasonably be expected of another child of similar age, experience level, and overall maturity. Additionally, the comparative negligence law in Florida will be applied to personal injury cases, including those involving child injuries.

However, when children are involved, courts often place greater responsibility on the adults and the organizations that were tasked with the child’s care. Parents or guardians may file claims on behalf of minors to secure compensation that covers:

• Immediate medical bills
• Future needs
• Therapy sessions
• Rehabilitative care
• Long-term treatment

Statute of Limitations for Child Injury Cases in Florida

In Florida, state laws set a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including those involving child injuries. That said, when minors are involved, the timeline might be extended, depending on the details of the circumstances.

Furthermore, the child’s parents or guardians can typically reserve the right to file on behalf of the child who was hurt. However, the child might also be able to bring forth a claim on their own behalf after they turn 18 years old.

Just know that this is only possible if legal action has not already been taken on their behalf. To make sure you do not miss any deadlines that apply to your child’s case, contact child injury lawyers in Punta Gorda for legal advice.

Contact Our Punta Gorda Child Injury Law Firm ASAP

If your child was injured because of someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to find your way through the aftermath of such a tragic experience on your own. Accidents that involve children can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself.

Instead of feeling lost and confused without any understanding of what to do next, reach out to the Punta Gorda child injury attorneys at the law firm of Viles & Beckman. Our Punta Gorda child injury lawyers are here to provide you with the guidance and direction you need.

We have decades of experience handling cases like yours, and we’ll always keep the protection of your child’s rights at the forefront of everything. Your family is entitled to justice, your child deserves compensation, and we’re here to help you pursue both.