Children learn in part by getting into accidents and understanding what they should do to avoid them. However, sometimes another party’s negligence causes an injury or illness in a child. In such cases, the negligent party could be responsible for paying the child’s damages.
If you believe your child suffered an illness or injury because of another party’s negligence, contact a local personal injury attorney immediately. These cases can be complicated, but a Hoffman Estates child injury lawyer knows how to identify negligent conduct and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Common Causes of Serious Injuries to Children
Children can get hurt in many of the same ways as adults. Injuries resulting from another party’s negligence usually fall into one of several categories, and the evidence required to prove liability depends on the specific circumstances.
Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents, including accidents involving trucks, cars, all-terrain vehicles, buses, boats, and bicycles are a frequent cause of injuries to children. When an irresponsible motorist or rider causes a crash, any injured children are entitled to damages.
Dangerous Environments
Unsafe premises often lead to childhood injuries. If a child falls in a public space, gets hurt on an escalator or elevator, or suffers injuries at a playground, recreational facility, or swimming pool, the owner of the property or operator of the business might be liable.
Defective Products
Children often suffer serious injuries from defective products. Flammable clothing, unsafe baby furniture, toys that are choking hazards, contaminated formula, and numerous other products cause harm to children. An attorney could prove the product was defective in its design, manufacturing, or labeling, triggering liability for the manufacturer and other parties involved in distributing the defective product.
Medical Errors
Negligent medical care can lead to injuries at birth or at any time while the child is growing up. Medical personnel must uphold an appropriate standard of care, and if they fail to do so, they could be liable for the child’s damages.
Negligent Hiring or Supervision
Childcare personnel, teachers, school bus drivers, coaches, and others entrusted with the care of children have a responsibility to protect their safety. Entities like schools and recreational facilities serving children must be diligent about checking the backgrounds of people they hire to work with children. If they fail to do so and the child suffers an injury, a Hoffman Estate child injury attorney could hold the employer liable for negligent hiring.
Timeframes for Legal Action Are Often Short
In general, someone can bring a lawsuit seeking damages injuries within two years of the incident that caused the harm. If someone is initially unaware of their injury or that negligence might have caused it, this two-year window opens when upon reasonable discovery of the injury or condition.
In personal injury cases involving children, the legal filing deadlines can be more lenient. When parents do not bring a lawsuit for their child’s injuries, this legal deadline does not start until the child turns 18. When an injury causes a disability, the injured party may have until their 22nd birthday. Consulting a Hoffman Estates attorney immediately after an incident, or as soon as someone becomes aware of it, is essential for securing justice.
Consult a Hoffman Estates Attorney About Your Child’s Injury
If your child got hurt or contracted an illness because of another party’s negligence, you could seek financial damages. An at-fault party might be liable for immediate medical expensive as well as your child’s pain and suffering and other long-term impacts the injury will have. Contact a Hoffman Estates child injury lawyer immediately if you believe someone’s negligence is responsible for harming your child. The Kryder Law Group, LLC is here to support you and your family.
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