
Child injury lawyers handle accidents involving cars, bicycles, defective products, attractive nuisances, daycares, schools, animal attacks, swimming pools, and premises liability, among others. If a minor is injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury attorney could help the child’s parent or guardian get money from the at-fault party.
Don’t wait to receive legal help if your child has been injured because a motorist, product manufacturer, property owner, or other parties acted negligently. Meet with a child injury lawyer in Fort Myers, and they will detail your legal options. Depending on the circumstances of your situation, your attorney may advise you to file a child injury lawsuit.
Common Types of Accidents That Child Injury Lawyers Handle
If you’re on the lookout for a child injury attorney, check out a lawyer’s client testimonials. These will give you a glimpse into how an attorney treats their clients. Plus, they will provide insights into the types of accidents that this child injury lawyer handles. Ideally, your attorney will offer legal guidance and support in the aftermath of many types of accidents, including:
- Car accidents
- School bus crashes
- Bike accidents
- Playground accidents
- Toy-related accidents
- Drowning
- Dog bites
- Slip and fall accidents
- Sports-related accidents
An initial consultation with a child injury lawyer is a valuable learning opportunity for all parties involved. During the consultation, you can ask questions specific to your situation, like whether you can sue a toy manufacturer for your child’s injury. Meanwhile, your lawyer will give your legal matters their undivided attention and help you decide whether to sue for damages.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
How Will a Lawyer Help You with Your Child Injury Case?
Child injury attorneys will address your legal challenges. They will teach you about the types of child injury accidents that they handle and determine your eligibility for filing a lawsuit. If you decide to sue, your attorney will help you with your case in several ways, such as:
- Gathering police reports, witness statements, accident scene photos, and other evidence
- Crafting an argument centered on negligence
- Negotiating a settlement with an at-fault party or their insurance company
- Presenting your case to a judge or jury if a trial is necessary
Outside of these things, your lawyer will submit your compensation request in accordance with Florida law. Per Florida Statute 95.11, you generally have two years from the date of an injury to ask for compensation from a liable party. In a personal injury case involving a child, the statute of limitations can be tolled until the child turns 18.
Compensation Available in Child Injury Cases
As you look at the types of accidents that child injury attorneys handle, consider the compensation that you can recover if you proceed with a lawsuit. Ultimately, your lawyer could help you obtain the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical expenses: Request compensation for medications, doctors’ visits, physical therapy, surgeries, and ongoing medical care for your child’s injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Account for compensation based on your child’s emotional distress, physical discomfort, and other pain and suffering in your lawsuit.
- Lost wages: If you miss work as you help your child recover from their injuries, you may be entitled to damages for your loss of income.
Trust your attorney to calculate your quantifiable and subjective losses. Your lawyer will encourage you to track your child’s injury expenses for the duration of your case. Furthermore, they will put together an argument designed to show a judge or jury why your damages request is valid.
How to Prove Negligence in a Child Injury Case
Regardless of the type of accidents that your child injury attorney handles, your lawyer wants to make it clear to a judge or jury that the defendant in your lawsuit was negligent. As such, they will focus their argument on these elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: The defendant has a legal obligation not to do anything that could harm a child or others.
- Breach of duty of care: The defendant commits an act of carelessness or recklessness and puts a child in danger.
- Causation: The defendant’s act causes an accident, and as a result, a child was hurt.
- Damages: The child, their parent, or their guardian is facing losses due to the defendant’s breach of duty, which led to the child’s accident and injuries.
If you have an abundance of proof and a strong case, they are well-equipped to show that the defendant engaged in negligence. Because of this, the defendant may be inclined to settle before your case reaches trial. If no settlement is reached, your lawyer will be ready to present your case in court.
Ask for Legal Help if Your Child Has Been Injured in an Accident Due to Someone Else’s Negligence
If you’re uncertain about the types of accidents that child injury lawyers handle, err on the side of caution. Speak with a child injury attorney, and they will let you know if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Viles & Beckman gives you access to a legal team with more than 40 years of combined experience. Our personal injury attorneys can share information about the types of child injury accident cases that we handle. If you want to file a child injury lawsuit, we are here to help. To find out more, schedule a free case consultation.
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