Allentown Child Injury Lawyer
Children can be more prone to injuries than adults, as they do not have fully developed physical abilities or a complete understanding of how injuries occur. A childhood injury could impact physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development for many years to come, so these types of accidents should be taken extremely seriously—especially when they occur due to the negligence of others.
If your child is suffering because of the negligence of another person or party, it may be important that you meet with a seasoned Allentown child injury lawyer to discuss your rights and legal options. You may have a valid claim to seek compensation on behalf of your child, and a skilled personal injury attorney could help you build this claim.
Elements of a Child Injury Lawsuit
Child injuries have the potential to happen in many settings, but an actionable civil case may result only when someone acts—or fails to act—in a way that leads to a child being harmed. Some examples of situations that could warrant a child injury legal claim include:
- Amusement park injuries
- Bicycle accidents
- Car seat injuries
- Crib injuries
- Daycare or school accidents
- Playground injuries and accidents
- Drowning accidents
- School bus accidents
- Toy injuries
To hold a negligent party responsible for a child’s injury, the plaintiff must demonstrate several key elements of legal negligence. Most civil claims begin by establishing that the negligent party owed a duty of care to prevent the child’s injury.
Then, the parent of the injured child must prove that the defendant failed to adhere to the duty they owed and caused injuries and damages to the parent or child. An Allentown child injury attorney could work hard to establish these elements of liability in a parent’s claim for their child’s injury.
Statute of Limitations for a Child Injury
In Pennsylvania, there is a two-year statute of limitations for civil cases, according to 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §5524. This statutory period is a legally imposed time limit for filing a claim which generally starts on the day of the injury.
However, if a minor suffers an injury in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations does not apply until they turn 18. This policy gives them until they are 20 to file a claim for an injury they suffered as a child.
That being, a parent or guardian could still file a claim on their behalf before their 18th birthday. Speaking to a knowledgeable Allentown lawyer who is familiar with child injury claims could help parents determine the best course of legal action.
Partner with a Compassionate Allentown Child Injury Attorney
Your child’s injury and the circumstances that led to it could have you feeling helpless. When you partner with a compassionate Allentown child injury lawyer to handle your claim, you may regain a sense of control and reduce your stress.
An attorney could tell you if you have a valid claim, how much your claim could be worth, and what to expect in the legal process. Call today to schedule a case consultation and learn how legal counsel could help you and your child.
