Maison Law can help you and your child after they’re injured in an accident in Eureka. Every parent in Eureka does their best to keep their children safe—walking them to school, checking the playground equipment, teaching them how to cross Broadway or Henderson Street carefully. But no matter how cautious you are, accidents can happen in a moment. When a child is hurt, the worry and frustration can feel endless. We can help. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
When your child gets hurt, you have to answer a lot of different questions. One of the most common is simple: should I even get a lawyer? The honest answer: not always. We hope your child’s injuries are only minor and you can take care of it yourself through a simple insurance claim, but the reality is that having legal help from our team can make the process smoother, less stressful, and often more successful by:
- Explaining your child’s rights and legal options in clear, simple terms
- Investigating the accident to find out who’s responsible
- Gathering records, witness statements, and other key evidence
- Managing communication and negotiation with insurance companies
- Preparing your case for court if it becomes necessary
You take care of your child’s recovery. We take care of everything else—from paperwork to insurance calls—so you don’t have to shoulder the burden alone.
What Kind of Information Can Help My Child’s Injury Claim?
Just like your own injury claim, getting the right information early can really help your child’s injury claim. But the problem is many parents feel overwhelmed at first, especially if you weren’t with your child at the time. But it’s still available, and they’ll serve as the building blocks of your child’s claim. Here’s what really helps:
- Official reports. Accident or incident reports from the Eureka Police Department, a school, or a daycare center provide a formal record of what happened. They can help confirm key details about where, when, and how the injury occurred.
- Medical records and notes. Keep copies of hospital intake forms, doctor notes, therapy records, and test results. These documents show the scope of your child’s injuries and the steps taken toward recovery.
- Your child’s life changes. Write down how the injury affects your child’s everyday life—missed school days, problems sleeping, changes in mood or activity, or anything that feels “off.” Small details often carry a lot of weight in personal injury claims.
- Receipts and bills. Hold on to anything showing expenses related to the accident: gas receipts for medical trips, over-the-counter supplies, or missed work due to caregiving. These help demonstrate the full financial impact on your family.
- Witness statements. If someone saw the accident, get their name and contact information. Witnesses can provide clarity about what happened, especially if you weren’t there at the time.
if you don’t have everything perfectly organized, that’s okay. Most parents don’t. After an accident, paperwork gets lost, memories fade, and things feel messy. That’s where we step in. Our team helps piece everything together, even small details you might not realize could make a difference. And once we have a clear picture, the next step is understanding who’s responsible for your child’s injuries.
Who’s Responsible When My Child Gets Hurt in an Accident?
When your child is hurt, your first thought is always their health and safety. But when the financial reality begins to creep in with medical bills and other issues, filing a claim for your child becomes necessary. And to do that, you need to figure out who’s responsible. Thankfully, the law treats liability the same way–whoever was negligent has to pay for your child’s “damages.”
But it depends heavily on what actually happened. Usually, though, liability falls on:
- Drivers who hits your child walking, biking, or riding in a car.
- Property owners who ignore hazards like uncovered pools or broken railings.
- Schools or daycares that fail to provide adequate supervision or safety measures
- Manufacturers whose products malfunction and cause your child to get hurt.
- City government agencies or departments responsible for unsafe public property or poorly maintained roads.
Filing a claim isn’t about punishment—it’s about accountability and support. It’s a way to make sure your family isn’t left covering the cost of someone else’s mistake. Once you know who’s responsible, the next step is understanding how the claims process works—and what it actually looks like to file a child injury claim in Eureka.
How Is the Claims Process Different When My Child Is Involved?
When your child is the one that’s hurt, the big legal difference is that they don’t file their own claim. You (or some other adult guardian) is the one who’s responsible for bringing the claim. Outside of that, though, the process is very similar to other injury claims. That includes your child’s options:
- Filing an insurance claim. This is often the first step. The claim is filed with the at-fault party’s insurance company—whether that’s a driver, property owner, or business. It can be faster than going to court, but insurance companies control the process. They decide how much to offer and often try to minimize payouts.
- Filing a lawsuit. If the settlement offer doesn’t fully cover your child’s losses, a lawsuit may be necessary. While this step takes longer, it also gives your family a chance at a fair outcome. Our team handles everything—from preparing filings to working with experts who can estimate long-term medical needs and emotional effects.
It’s here that there’s another important distinction when your child is involved. Basically, it’s not just about immediate injuries, it’s about the potential long-term impact that’s very common when a child is hurt. So, once the claim is filed, your child’s damages might include things like:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages for parents who missed work to care for the child
- Costs of therapy, counseling, or tutoring if the injury affected school performance
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or behavioral changes
- Loss of enjoyment of daily life or activities
One important note: under California law, a child’s two-year statute of limitations doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday. However, it’s still smart to start the process early—evidence fades quickly, and witnesses move away or forget details.
What Can Leave My Child Injured in Eureka?
Eureka is a beautiful place to raise a family—coastal views, parks, and quiet neighborhoods—but like anywhere else, accidents still happen. Some of the most common ways we see children injured involve things like:
- Car accidents. Children can be injured as passengers, especially along busy routes like Broadway, Harris Street, or West Avenue.
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents. Many kids bike or walk to school or friends’ houses. Unfortunately, distracted or speeding drivers don’t always notice children walking or biking in time.
- Accidents at playgrounds or parks. Falls from slides or swings at Sequoia Park or Carson Park can lead to broken bones or concussions.
- Accidents at school. Rough play, slips, or unsafe equipment can all lead to injury, even when staff are doing their best to supervise.
- Slip-and-fall accidents. Wet floors at grocery stores, cracked sidewalks, or cluttered walkways can easily lead to a fall.
- Dog bites. Even friendly pets can bite if startled or unsupervised, and children often don’t recognize the warning signs.
All of these situations are incredibly challenging, but it takes on more significance when it’s your child that’s the one injured. But you’re not without options, and not without support. Our team will be there with you through it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the person responsible doesn’t have insurance?
There are still options. We can often use your own uninsured motorist coverage or find another responsible party, like a property owner or business, to cover the damages.
How can I protect my child’s privacy during a claim?
Claims involving minors in California are confidential. We’ll never use your child’s full name or any other personal information. Additionally, any settlement is reviewed by the court to make sure it’s in your child’s best interest.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer right now?
You don’t have to. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay anything upfront. We take our fee from whatever result we get for your child’s claim.
Maison Law Helps Eureka Parents After a Child’s Injury
No parent in Eureka wants to face a situation where their child is hurt in an accident. But unfortunately, accidents involving children happen here every day. When it’s your child, your focus should all be on their health and recovery. At Maison Law, we handle the legal side of things, helping your family move forward. Set up a free consultation today to talk about you and your child’s options.
