Parents trust that caregivers, doctors, and other adults will protect their children from accidents leading to severe harm. Unfortunately, minors are often the victims of the negligent actions of another. Some examples include car crashes, medical malpractice, accident drowning, and severe burn injuries.
When someone’s carelessness causes your child to sustain injuries, you have every right to hold them accountable. A child injury lawyer understands the unique challenges of these cases and can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you need legal guidance, contact a compassionate and skilled Westerville personal injury lawyer today to discuss your claim.
Children can suffer severe injuries in an accident, but their age and inexperience make them more vulnerable to some than others. Vehicle collisions of all types, including pedestrian and bicycle accidents, are the most common cause of lawsuits resulting from minors suffering injuries due to negligence.
Young children frequently suffer dog bites, animal attacks, burns, and accidents at playgrounds, schools, daycares, or on school buses. In Westerville, a child injury lawyer could help you hold the responsible party accountable and seek compensation for your child’s damages and losses if they were injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Some of the most common injuries include:
Monetary damages may cover medical expenses, ongoing treatment, pain and suffering, and other related costs. The civil court determines the settlement based on case-specific factors, including the severity of disabilities and the defendant’s actions leading up to the accident. A Westerville child injury attorney could investigate the accident, identify the responsible party, gather evidence to establish fault and collect a fair payout amount.
As with other personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is two years for lawsuits. However, when seeking damages through lawsuits involving minors, there are some substantial differences to know.
According to Ohio Revised Code § 2305.16, the statute’s time does not start until the child turns 18 and expires the day they turn 20. The wait period protects minors until they can legally file the suit and understand their rights.
The statute allows a victim’s parents or guardians to file a claim on the minor’s behalf. This may be necessary when the child requires compensation for medical care, assistance, home modifications, or other essential expenses. A Westerville lawyer experienced in child injuries could help guide families through the legal process and ensure they file the claim within the required timeframe.
Insurance providers also adhere to the statute of limitations, and contacting them promptly to initiate the claim is vital. In most cases, the parties attempt to agree on just the settlement amount first, and if that fails, the plaintiff may proceed to file a legal action with the court.
A child injury lawyer in Westerville could review the regulations and answer specific questions during the consultation. They could also handle insurance company communication to negotiate and fight for a fair outcome.
Children play hard and lack the experience to alert them when something may place them in harm’s way. Therefore, accidents leading to scrapes and bruises are relatively common. However, when someone else’s reckless actions cause kids to suffer severe injuries and other losses, you may pursue compensation from the person responsible.
A settlement could cover their medical care, home renovations, pain and suffering, and any other losses related to the cause of action. Schedule a consultation with a hard-working and qualified Westerville child injury lawyer to review your case and options.
