Philadelphia Child Injury Lawyer
It is a sad fact that children who suffer personal injuries often suffer worse damage than adults in the same scenario. Undeveloped bodies and minds can cope less with the stressors that an injury can inflict. Even so, an at-fault defendant is responsible for providing compensation for any damage they cause, even if it is magnified by the fact that their victim is a child.
A Philadelphia child injury lawyer could help you pursue a claim for compensation stemming from your child’s injuries. An experienced Philadelphia child injury attorney could help you determine the value of your case, identify the parties at fault, and pursue your child’s claim for fair compensation.
Common Examples of Child Injuries in Philadelphia
Children could suffer a variety of injuries stemming from auto collisions, pedestrian accidents, bicycle crashes, playgrounds, and hazardous property environments. In addition, children are also vulnerable when participating in child-specific activities such as attending school, riding in a school bus, or playing in a playground. If a child is injured while participating in these activities, an at-fault defendant is liable to provide compensation.
Holding the Liable Parties Accountable for Negligence
Most injuries to children are the result of accidents. The at-fault party, whether a motorist, a property owner, or a school, should be held responsible for paying the people to whom they cause harm.
For example, if a child suffers a broken arm after being in a car accident, the at-fault driver or their insurance company is responsible for providing compensation for their negligence.
A similar formula requires negligent landowners to offer compensation after slip and fall accidents, dog bites, or even instances of defective products that lead to injuries. A Philadelphia child injury lawyer could help identify the cause of your child’s injuries and pursue at-fault defendants for proper compensation.
Unique Aspects of a Child Injury Claim
Children have the same right to receive compensation for their losses as adults. However, the law does not allow a child to serve as a plaintiff in a lawsuit. Instead, the child’s guardian must serve as a plaintiff in any claim for personal injury.
In many cases, the guardian may be the child’s parent. The parent would pursue the case on behalf of the child and must place any proceeds that result from the claim in a trust fund until the child reaches the age of 18.
A case involving an injured child also changes the available compensation in a claim. A personal injury case affecting an adult typically demands payments for economic and non-economic damages.
However, this formula would change since a child likely has no monetary damages. Instead, the case would evaluate the impact on the child’s education, happiness, and overall development. A Philadelphia child injury lawyer could help determine the value of a case based on its effect on the child’s life.
COMMON CAUSES OF CHILD INJURIES IN PHILADELPHIA
Children can suffer serious injuries from various types of accidents, often stemming from someone else’s negligence. Car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and accidents involving school buses are just a few examples.
Children are also particularly vulnerable in playgrounds, where defective equipment or improper supervision can lead to injuries. In cases involving hazardous property, such as an unsafe building or yard, a property owner may be liable if their negligence led to the child’s injuries. Philadelphia child injury lawyers help identify at-fault parties and pursue claims for injured children and their families.
HOLDING AT-FAULT PARTIES ACCOUNTABLE
When a child suffers an injury due to another party’s negligence, the responsible party must provide compensation for the harm caused. In a case involving a severe injury, such as a broken bone or head injury, the at-fault party may include an insurance company, property owner, or driver.
Proving negligence in a child injury case requires gathering evidence, such as medical records, eyewitness accounts, and sometimes expert testimony. A Philadelphia child injury attorney can navigate the legal process, helping families seek the compensation their child deserves for medical treatment and any long-term effects of the injury.
Understanding Damages in Child Injury Cases
Child injury claims differ from adult personal injury cases in calculating damages. While adults can claim lost wages and other economic losses, a child’s injury case often focuses on non-economic damages, including physical pain, emotional distress, and impacts on the child’s future well-being. Injuries may also affect children’s development, education, and happiness.
Child injury attorneys assess these factors to determine fair compensation, ensuring that funds are available to cover any future medical care, therapy, or educational support needed due to the injury.
Seeking Compensation for Medical Expenses and Long-term Care
Medical treatment for injured children can involve costly emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, long-term rehabilitation. Medical expenses related to a child’s injury may also include specialized equipment, medications, and mental health support, especially if the accident caused emotional trauma.
Compensation in a child injury case should cover these costs and any anticipated future medical needs. Experienced child injury lawyers work with medical professionals to estimate future care expenses, ensuring families receive the funds necessary for their child’s recovery.
The Importance of Legal Representation in Child Injury Cases
Legal representation is crucial in child injury cases to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable and that settlement offers reflect the true extent of the child’s injuries. A Philadelphia child injury attorney guides every step of the claim, helping parents make informed decisions about accepting a settlement or pursuing further legal action.
The entire process can be overwhelming for families, from gathering evidence to negotiating with the insurance company. With an attorney’s help, families can focus on their child’s recovery while knowing their legal rights are protected.
Contact Philadelphia Child Injury Attorney Today
Children have legal rights as much as adults. Among those rights is the ability to seek compensation following a personal injury. While the law does not allow a child to pursue these damages on their own, it does empower a child’s guardian to seek damages on their behalf. This applies to any instance that leads to a child’s injury, such as a slip and fall, a car accident, or even an intentional assault.
A Philadelphia child injury lawyer could help lead the way during these difficult and emotional times. They can work to gather the evidence needed to prove the defendant’s fault, use that evidence to form persuasive demand packages, and even take the case to court. Contact a Philadelphia child injury lawyer today to maximize your chances for success.
