Question 1

How Do Children Become Injured?

Accepted Answer

Children require near-constant supervision. As their brains have yet to fully develop, they have a harder time spotting danger, and their small size means they can more easily be overlooked. There are countless ways that children can be badly hurt.

We have handled personal injury lawsuits on behalf of children injured in:

Car crashes
Pedestrian incidents
Bicycle collisions
Swimming pool mishaps
On a school campus
In a daycare facility

When children are injured, it means more than just in-the-moment pain. Children’s bodies are still developing, which means severe injuries could result in lasting and permanent damage.

Question 2

What Injuries Do Children Often Suffer?

Accepted Answer

Though children may heal from some incidents better than adults can – for example, slip-and-falls usually aren’t that dangerous for them, though falls from heights can be – they’re smaller and more vulnerable to systemic damage. A drug overdose, for example, is more dangerous for a child.

Greenstick fractures or other broken bones
Head trauma, including brain damage
Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
Burns, which lead to scarring
Organ damage, which can be caused by ingestion of toxins
Serious lacerations or amputation
Drowning or near-drowning
Eye injuries, or other sensory damage

A catastrophic injury in childhood could spell a difficult adulthood. Even something that seems minor, like a broken arm, could lead to a weakened limb. Something as serious as spinal cord injury or brain damage is likely to lead to a lifelong disability. That could impact your child’s future, and even mean his or her dream job is out of reach. That is unacceptable, and exactly why pursuing legal action is so important.

Question 3

What About School and Daycare Injuries?

Accepted Answer

Filing a claim against a school district is more complicated that filing a claim against a private party. Since public schools are government-run, special deadlines and certain immunities to lawsuits may apply. This may also be the case if your child was injured during an extracurricular activity, like a sporting event. The sooner you report the incident, get your child medical attention, and seek legal help, the better.

Most daycares, on the other hand, are private for-profit entities that are supposed to be licensed and carry liability insurance. Whether the actions of one caregiver or the entire management were to blame for your child being hurt – even if by another child -- this insurance is meant to cover victims.

Question 4

What Makes a Child Injury Claim Different?

Accepted Answer

When an adult is injured by someone else’s negligence, that adult has the legal right to file a claim to receive compensation from the at-fault party and insurer. Children (under the age of 18) are minors, and do not have the legal standing to file a claim or negotiate with the at-fault party. A child needs an adult to file the claim on his or her behalf.

The second major difference is with the statute of limitations. An adult in Colorado has two years from the date of his or her injury to file a claim. That limitation is lengthened for injured children in certain circumstances. However, the changes require an attorney to guide you as they are complicated and not well understood. We encourage you to call and speak with a lawyer now. When victims wait too long, they allow important evidence to spoil. Witnesses forget what they saw, medical records are lost, and security footage is deleted. You should contact an injury lawyer right away to ensure you have a successful claim for your child. We can investigate the evidence and negotiate with the insurance companies for compensation.

Question 5

What Expenses Can You Recover?

Accepted Answer

Medical care is expensive. Bills can quickly rack up, even for minor injuries. You should not be left to deal with the financial fallout of an injury that was not your fault.

You also have your child’s future to consider. Major injuries require future treatment, even into adulthood, leaving your child at a financial disadvantage. With a successful claim, you can ensure that your child receives the compensation they need and deserve.

Our Denver child injury lawyers have assisted families in recovering:

Medical bills – doctors’ visits, tests, inpatient care, rehabilitation therapy, as well as future medical treatment costs
Counseling – therapist’s bills
In-home care – modifications to your house or vehicle, hospital bed or respiratory machine installed, nursing staff, if necessary, etc.
Lost wages – if you had to miss work to care for your child after the injury or in the future
Cost of special schooling and education
Compensation for lifelong disability or disfigurement
Compensation for pain and suffering
Compensation for emotional distress

Filing a claim does requires help. It is unlikely that the party you are filing against will want to give you a proper settlement. Your claim could turn into a seemingly never-ending fight. You may even feel pressure to accept a low settlement just so your child can get medical care.

No parent should ever have to settle for less than their child’s injury is worth. That is why you need to work with experienced child injury attorneys.

Denver Child Injury Attorneys

Strong and Compassionate Legal Help for Families After a Child's Injury

How Do Children Become Injured?

What Injuries Do Children Often Suffer?

What About School and Daycare Injuries?

What Makes a Child Injury Claim Different?

What Expenses Can You Recover?

The Colorado Child Injury Attorneys You Need

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