The Villages Child Injury Lawyer
Like most parents, you do everything you can to protect your child from safety risks that could cause harm. Unfortunately, statistics reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that it’s not always possible to safeguard against deadly and injury-causing incidents. Every year, more than 12,000 minors are killed in accidents and another 9.2 million head to emergency rooms for treatment of injuries. Though there are plenty of scenarios that can lead active children to hurt themselves, many of these incidents happen because of careless conduct.
While you cannot protect your child from every possible safety threat, you do have rights under Florida law if he or she is injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault. Our attorneys at the Glover Law Firm can explain your legal options, so please contact our office to schedule a no-cost case evaluation with a Villages child injury lawyer. You may also find it useful to review some basic information on how these claims work.
Common Causes of Child Injuries
It may come as no surprise to learn that the leading cause of death among children under 18 years old is motor vehicle accidents, which include pedestrian and bicycle accidents as categorized by the CDC. However, aside from auto collisions, the figures vary when it comes to the top factors that lead to child injuries. For instance:
- At around 2.8 million children per year, falls are the most common cause of nonfatal, unintentional injuries. Those under 12 months old make up the highest at-risk age group, accounting for more than half of fall injuries.
- Among individuals up to nine years old, dog bites and being struck by an object were the top two causes of child injuries.
- Being struck by an object was also a factor for victims 10-14 years old, with the second leading cause of injury being overexertion – often due to participation in sports.
- Other causes of injury to children include suffocation, burns, drowning, poisoning, defective consumer products, and slips, trips, and falls on property.
Claims for Child Injuries in Florida
At the outset, a child injury case proceeds just like many other personal injury matters. You can seek compensation from the party whose negligence led to the accident in which your child was injured. However, children under 18 years old don’t have legal capacity. Instead, the duty to pursue compensation falls to parents, who may:
- File and settle an insurance claim up to $15,000; or,
- Request appointment as the child’s guardian for claims in excess of $15,000 – or which require filing a lawsuit in court.
Get Legal Help from a Child Injury Attorney in The Villages
If your child was hurt and you’d like to explore your legal remedies, please contact the Glover Law Firm to set up a free consultation at our offices in The Villages. We can explain how personal injury cases work when the victim is a minor, and can guide you through dealings with an insurance company. We’re also prepared to take your case to court if necessary to protect your family’s interests.
