Maison Law and our team of Redwood National Park injury lawyers can help you and your child if they’re hurt in an accident there. It’s something no parent wants to think about, but unfortunately, there’s a lot of things that can leave your children injured in Redwood National Park. Our team can help your child get better and move forward. Set up a free consultation today.
Do I Even Need a Lawyer?
Nothing stops you in your tracks quite like seeing your child get hurt—especially in a place that’s supposed to feel peaceful and awe-inspiring, like Redwood National and State Parks. One minute you’re walking beneath towering trees or setting up camp, and the next, everything changes. When that happens, a question usually comes up pretty fast: Do I need a lawyer?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You’re not required to hire a lawyer, but in situations involving injuries to a child—especially on public land—it’s often worth getting guidance early. Having the right support can make a stressful situation far more manageable. Our team can help by:
- Breaking down your child’s rights and options in plain, everyday language
- Looking into what caused the accident and who may be responsible
- Gathering medical records, reports, and witness information
- Handling calls, paperwork, and back-and-forth with insurance companies or government agencies
Your job is to take care of your child. Ours is to take the weight of the process off your shoulders so you’re not trying to juggle everything at once. Once you have support in place, the next step is understanding what kind of information can actually help your child’s claim.
What Kind of Information Can Help My Child’s Injury Claim?
After an accident in the park, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Maybe your child slipped on a damp trail near Lady Bird Johnson Grove, fell off a bike near a scenic pull-out, or got hurt while playing around a campground picnic area. Even if everything happened quickly—or you didn’t see it firsthand—there are still details that can make a real difference later:
- Incident reports. Let park rangers, National Park Service staff, or local authorities know what happened. An official report creates a paper trail that matters.
- Medical records. Save ER paperwork, doctor notes, imaging results, physical therapy records, or follow-up instructions. These show the scope of your child’s injury and recovery.
- Day-to-day changes. Keep track of missed school, trouble sleeping, changes in mood, or activities your child can’t do anymore—even temporarily.
- Expenses. Medical bills, travel costs, supplies, or time you missed from work to care for your child all count.
- Witness information. If anyone saw what happened—a fellow visitor, volunteer, or ranger—get their name and contact information if you can.
After you watch your child get hurt in an accident, you’re not thinking about all these things—and rightly so. Your main focus should be on getting your child medical help and getting them to safety. But the fact remains that you’re going to need information and evidence if you need to go on with a claim.
Who’s Fault is It When My Child Gets Hurt in Redwood National Park?
When your child is injured, fault isn’t your first concern—you’re just focused on making sure they’re okay. But once things settle, it’s natural to wonder how the accident happened and whether someone should be held legally responsible.
The problem is that in Redwood National and State Parks, this isn’t always obvious. The parks are jointly managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks, and there are often multiple people involved. That makes things more complicated, and depends on what actually happened. In general though, it’s helpful to understand who might be at fault. That includes:
- Drivers. Roads wind through the parks, and vehicles pass trailheads and crossings. A distracted or careless driver can seriously injure a child walking or biking nearby.
- Property managers or operators. Unsafe conditions like broken railings, unstable walkways, or poorly maintained facilities can point to liability.
- Schools, camps, or organized groups. If your child was on a field trip or part of a youth program and supervision fell short, the organization may share responsibility.
- Product makers. Defective bikes, helmets, camping equipment, or outdoor gear can fail without warning and cause serious harm.
- Government agencies. Missing warning signs, damaged trails, unsafe bridges, or neglected areas may place responsibility on a state or federal agency.
The details matter. Where the injury happened, who controls that area, and what caused your child’s injuries all play a role in figuring out fault. What doesn’t change is your child’s right to file an injury claim when negligence is involved.
How Do I File a Claim for My Child’s Injury in Redwood National Park?
An accident where you child is injured is already very different before you reach the claims process. But when it happens to them in Redwood National Park, it brings added layers of stress. Your child’s rights aren’t any different, it’s just a matter of figuring how you’ll file their claim. And like other injuries here, it depends on who’s responsible:
- Federal claim. If your child is hurt on land or property that’s managed by the National Parks Service, you’ll need to file your claim through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). With that, you’ll:
- Use Standard Form 95 to lay out the basic details of what happened and losses.
- The agency reviews the claim and has up to six months to respond
- If the claim is denied—or there’s no response—you can then take further legal steps
- State claim. Similarly, if the land or equipment is managed by California State Parks, the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA) applies. That means you’ll need to file:
- A formal notice of claim must usually be filed within six months of the injury
- The state reviews the claim and decides whether to accept or deny it within 45 days.
- Missing the six month deadline can end the claim before it starts.
- Private claim. If no government agency is involved, the process looks more like a standard personal injury claim, starting with insurance and potentially moving to court if needed.
No matter which option you have to go with, it’s about getting “damages” for your child’s injuries and losses. That can include things like:
- Medical expenses now and in the future
- Income you lose while caring for your child
- Therapy, counseling, or educational support
- Repair costs for your child’s damaged property (clothing, shoes, glasses, phones, etc.)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of normal childhood activities
Because government claims move on tighter timelines and follow strict rules, knowing where and how your child was injured is especially important.
How Could My Child Get Hurt in Redwood National Park?
Redwood National Park is incredible for families—quiet trails, massive trees, coastal views, and room to explore. But kids are curious, active, and not always aware of the potential risks of what they’re doing. That opens the door to various kinds of accidents:
- Trail falls. Damp paths, exposed roots, and uneven ground can cause slips or tumbles, especially when kids run ahead or climb on natural features.
- Bike accidents. Gravel, sharp turns, or sudden elevation changes can lead to falls—even for experienced riders.
- Camping injuries. Campfires, cooking equipment, tent stakes, and uneven campsites can all lead to burns, cuts, or falls.
- Drownings or water accidents. Streams, beaches, and tide pools are fun but unpredictable. Slips, strong currents, or collisions can happen fast.
- Dog bites. Crowded campgrounds and trailheads sometimes lead to unsafe interactions between children and unfamiliar dogs.
- Falls from park equipment. Picnic tables, viewing platforms, railings, or cabin decks can become hazards if they’re damaged or poorly maintained.
These moments happen in seconds, but their effects can last far longer. Knowing your options can help you regain a sense of control and focus on what matters most—your child’s recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t know how injured my child is yet?
That’s common. Some injuries don’t show up right away. Get medical care, follow up if symptoms change, and focus on your child first. You don’t have to have every answer on day one. As long as you keep good documentation of the accident and their injuries, you’ll be in good shape.
Can my child be partially responsible for what happened?
Maybe—but that doesn’t automatically stop a claim. Kids make mistakes. The bigger question is whether someone else failed to keep the area, equipment, or situation reasonably safe.
What if my child was hurt in some remote area of the park?
You can still file a claim. Remote locations can make evidence harder to gather, but reports, medical records, and ranger logs often fill in the gaps. Help is still available, even if the accident happened far from everything.
Maison Law Helps Families After a Child Is Hurt in Redwood National Park
No parent expects a family trip to end with an injury. But when it does, you shouldn’t have to figure out the legal side on your own while caring for your child. At Maison Law, we help parents understand their child’s options, keep costs manageable, and move forward with a clear focus. If your child was hurt while exploring Redwood National Park, we can walk you through what comes next—starting with a free consultation.
