Children suffer injuries every day due to playing roughly or clumsy accidents. Problems arise when those wounds resulted from someone else’s intentional behavior, abuse, or negligence, and it may be difficult for a parent or guardian to accept.
While harmed children are entitled to compensation just as adults are, the path to recovering damages for a minor is somewhat different. An experienced Irving child injury lawyer is well-versed in the challenges that often accompany youth’s cases. Caring personal injury lawyers could work to identify the cause of your kid’s harm and hold the responsible party accountable.
What are Some Common Causes of Injuries to Minors?
Because their minds and bodies are still developing, injuries to kids can have more severe and long-lasting effects. Some of the ways that a child could be harmed by someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior include:
- Abuse or neglect by caregivers
- Sexual assault
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Burns
- Falls
- Animal bites
- Swimming pool accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
A knowledgeable lawyer in the Irving area could help identify the cause of the kid’s wounds and who bears responsibility for it.
For a free legal consultation, call (817) 775-5364
Different Requirements for Child Injury Claims
State courts have different requirements for personal injury claims involving minors than they do with adults. Because a minor cannot file a lawsuit against someone, a parent or other adult must bring legal action on their behalf. The person filing the case is known as the minor’s “next friend.”
A person usually has two years from the date they were wounded to seek damages in court. However, that deadline is delayed in cases involving injuries to juveniles. A kid who suffered harm due to someone else’s actions or negligence could file a lawsuit up to two years after their 18th birthday.
Even though the statutory timeline is extended for minors, it may be unwise to delay acting in a personal injury case involving a child. Potential witnesses could relocate or pass away, documents may be destroyed, or evidence might be lost. To ensure that the juvenile injury claim is preserved, a parent or guardian pursuing a case on their behalf is well-advised to consult with a practiced attorney in Irving.
Irving Child Injury Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Special Considerations for Injury Compensation Awarded to Minors
A court may appoint an “ad litem” attorney to independently represent the kid’s interests in the case. The attorney will advise the court whether the terms of any settlement reached between the minor’s parents and the at-fault party—or their insurance company—serves the child’s best interests.
If the judge is convinced that the settlement is fair to the minor, they will approve it and authorize the compensation to be paid. A knowledgeable Irving lawyer could navigate through this process in injury claims for minors.
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The Value of Experts in a Child Injury Lawsuit
Testimony from experts is often necessary to prove the nature and severity of a kid’s wounds. While every case is unique, some common experts in youth harm cases include:
- Emergency room physicians
- Pediatricians
- Neonatologists
- Obstetricians
- Counselors
- Social workers
- Accident reconstructionists
Finding the right expert to persuasively present their opinion and findings to a judge could be crucial to the success of a minor’s claim. A practiced local lawyer with experience handling in youth injuries could determine which experts to retain based on a case’s unique facts. The attorney may also thoroughly prepare the expert to testify in court.
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Consult a Trusted Child Injury Attorney in Irving Today
Due to their tender age, youths are particularly vulnerable to harm. Car accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, and unsafe swimming pools could all severely injure them. When their wounds are due to someone else’s abuse or negligence, it could be beneficial to reach out to an experienced legal professional to protect your kid’s rights.
If your minor suffers harm caused by someone else, you may want to reach out to an Irving child injury lawyer who could put them in the best possible position to obtain maximum compensation. Seasoned attorneys understand that taking swift action could preserve the evidence you need to pursue your juvenile’s claim successfully.
Call (817) 775-5364 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
