Maison Law helps families in Chico when facing an accident involving a child. These types of situations are every parent’s worst fear. But the reality is, kids can get hurt in many of the same ways adults do—whether it’s a car accident on East Avenue, a fall at the playground in Bidwell Park, or a dog bite at DeGarmo Park. Our goal is to protect your child’s rights, hold the responsible party accountable, and get the financial support your child needs to recover. To get started, set up a free consultation today.
Why Would I Need a Lawyer for My Child’s Accident?
You don’t have to hire a lawyer when your child is hurt, but having one can make a big difference. Kids often need ongoing care after an accident—doctor visits, therapy, or even special arrangements at school—and those needs don’t always stop when the medical bills are paid. That’s a big reason why you’d need a lawyer in this situation, and our team has a great deal of experience helping families in your shoes. Here’s how:
- Seeing the whole picture – We look at everything that led to the accident and figure out who might be responsible, whether it’s a distracted driver, a property owner, or a school or daycare.
- Gathering the right evidence – From medical records to accident reports, we collect proof that shows how the accident affected your child physically, emotionally, and financially.
- Handling insurance – We deal with the calls, adjusters, and paperwork so you don’t have to, making sure any offers reflect your child’s real needs.
- Standing up in court if needed – While most cases settle, we’re ready to go to court to fight for your child’s rights if it comes to that.
Your focus should be on your child’s recovery. Our focus is making sure you aren’t left carrying the financial burden of someone else’s mistake.
What Information Should I Gather After My Child’s Accident?
When your child is hurt in an accident, it’s overwhelming—not just because of the injury itself, but also because you might not have been there when it happened. That can make gathering the information you need for a claim feel even harder. Still, certain details are essential to building a strong case, such as:
- Medical records – Keep records of every visit, prescription, therapy session, and test. These documents directly link your child’s injuries to the accident.
- Official reports – Police reports, school or daycare incident reports, or any other official documentation of the accident provide an objective record of what happened.
- Your notes as a parent – Write down how the injury is impacting your child’s daily life: trouble sleeping, missing school, or difficulty playing with friends. This personal perspective can strengthen the human side of your case.
- Proof of financial impact – Keep receipts for medical expenses, transportation to appointments, or other costs directly related to the accident.
- Witness information – Names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident, including teachers, caregivers, neighbors, or other children, can support your claim.
You don’t need to gather everything perfectly. We’ll help you figure out what matters most and make sure nothing is overlooked. And while this will give a potential claim a solid foundation, there’s still the prospect of filing a claim.
Who’s Responsible for My Child’s Injuries?
Being hurt in an accident is hard enough when it’s you, but when your child is the one that’s hurt, it adds so much more significance. And while you still have legal options, there’s a hugely important aspect of a claim–figuring out who’s responsible. The good news, relatively speaking, is that even with an accident involving your child, legal responsibility is still based on negligence. So then, this legal responsibility could fall on:
- Drivers who were distracted, speeding, or under the influence.
- Property owners who didn’t fix hazards or warn about dangers.
- Landlords or schools/daycares that ignored unsafe conditions or failed to provide proper supervision.
- Playgrounds, sports leagues, or after-school programs where poor maintenance, faulty equipment, or lack of adult oversight led to harm.
- Employers or maintenance crews when dangerous workspaces weren’t properly maintained.
- Product manufacturers who released defective toys, gear, or equipment.
- Local or state government if unsafe roads, sidewalks, or public spaces contributed.
Negligence means more than just making a mistake—it’s about showing that someone had a duty to keep your child safe, broke that duty, and caused the injury as a result. Once that connection is clear, you have the right to bring a claim or lawsuit to hold them accountable. That’s where the process begins.
How Does the Process Work With a Child Injury Claim?
Once you have legal responsibility figured out, you can move forward with an injury claim. The only difference is that your child isn’t the one that files it. You file it on their behalf. From there, it works just like any other accident:
- Insurance claims – A lot of injury claims begin here, where you file with the at-fault person’s liability policy. Our team can handle talks and negotiations, and make sure your child’s damages are fully accounted for. Still, it’s a less formal process that is totally controlled by the insurance company, and even with a child being injured, they still want to protect their bottom line first.
- Lawsuits – If the insurance company won’t be fair, the next step is litigation. While going to court can take more time, it also puts pressure on the other side and can ultimately lead to a stronger outcome.
What you can recover in these claims depends on your child’s unique situation, but some of the most common damages include:
- Medical expenses – These cover costs relating to ER visits, prescriptions, follow-up care, therapy, and any long-term treatment your child may need.
- Lost parental income– This covers wages you lose if you have to take time off work to care for your child.
- Property damage – This covers personal items, such as clothing, school supplies, or other belongings that were damaged in the accident.
- Pain and suffering – This covers the physical discomfort and challenges your child faces because of the injury.
- Emotional distress – This covers the anxiety, fear, or behavioral changes your child may experience after the trauma.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – This covers situations where your child can no longer participate in activities they once loved.
In heartbreaking cases where a child’s life is lost, families may also be able to recover funeral expenses and other related costs. California law places a two-year deadline on most personal injury claims, but when your child is the one that’s injured, it doesn’t kick in until they turn 18. But still, it’s important to act quickly. Evidence and memories fade, and that can make it much harder to put together a strong claim.
What Kinds of Accidents Involving Children Happen in Chico?
Kids are naturally curious and full of energy, which makes them more vulnerable to accidents in everyday places. Then, there’s everyday accidents they could be involved in, as well. Basically, your child is just like anyone else In Chico, and their vulnerability is only increased when negligence is involved. Regardless, it’s helpful to look at the different kinds of accidents that could happen to your child:
- Car accidents – Children can be hurt as passengers in crashes, while riding their bikes near busy roads, or as pedestrians crossing intersections.
- Playground or park injuries – Falls from swings, climbing structures, or other equipment at places like Bidwell Park or even Chico State’s campus recreation areas can lead to broken bones and other serious injuries.
- School or daycare accidents – Injuries can happen when supervision is lacking, safety rules are ignored, or unsafe conditions are allowed to continue.
- Slip-and-fall accidents– Kids often get injured when schools, daycare centers, or stores don’t take care of wet floors, broken tiles, or uneven sidewalks.
- Dog bites – A child can be bitten at home, at a neighbor’s house, or even in public spaces like the Chico Dog Park if dogs aren’t properly restrained or supervised.
- Defective products – Toys, bicycles, or sports gear that break or malfunction can cause serious harm, especially when kids are just playing as intended.
No matter how an accident happens, the impact can be life-changing for a child and overwhelming for a parent. That’s why California law gives you the right to file a claim—to help manage the costs and make sure your child has the support they need to heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a claim if my child was partly at fault?
Yes. California’s comparative negligence system reduces damages by your child’s percentage of fault but doesn’t prevent a claim.
How much is my claim worth?
It depends on your child’s injuries, ongoing needs, and the impact on your family. Every case is different.
Can I file a claim if the accident happened at school or a daycare?
Yes. Schools and daycares have a legal responsibility to provide safe environments. A claim may involve their insurance or the responsible staff.
What if the accident involves a friend or family member’s property?
Even if it feels awkward, you may still be able to file a claim. In many cases, the property owner’s insurance will handle the claim. Your child’s safety and recovery are the priority.
Talk With Our Chico Child Injury Lawyers
In many ways, an accident where your child is injured is worse than if it were to happen to yourself. Even though this is a situation no parent wants to be in, you and your family still have options when your child is hurt in an accident. Our Chico team at Maison Law will be there with legal guidance and support. Don’t wait—set up a free consultation with us today and let us talk you and your family through your options.
