Maison Law offers support and representation to anybody who has experienced an injury caused by an accident in Stockton, including children. If your child has been hurt in an unexpected accident of any type, the results can be devastating and overwhelming. You are not alone as we walk you through the legal process and provide you with necessary resources. Please contact us today for a free legal consultation to get started.
Should You Hire a Lawyer if Your Child Was Injured?
If you have suffered from minor injuries in an accident, you may be feeling confused but in control. You may not even see the necessity in hiring a lawyer to handle a personal injury claim for you. However, when your child has been hurt in an accident, you may be left with a wide array of legal questions that you cannot answer on your own.
In cases where a child has been hurt in an accident, it can be incredibly beneficial to have an attorney on your side who has handled these cases in the past. Child injury claims are vastly different from other cases because a parent or guardian has to file a claim on their behalf in California. As you work with a lawyer, you may find that your child is eligible for many types of damages that can assist them on their healing journey.
Where Are Children Commonly Injured in Stockton?
Stockton, which is located on the Sa Joaquin River, is home to an assortment of parks, museums, and sights to see. Many individuals who live in and travel to the area are seeking fun and adventure with their children. However, children are susceptible to a wide array of accidents in Stockton, as they are not always aware of dangers ahead of them. Here are some areas where child-related accidents commonly occur throughout the city:
- Schools: Children spend an extended period of time at schools. Because of this, they are more likely to be injured in school than in many other areas. These accidents can happen inside the school, on playgrounds, and at crosswalks on school property.
- Daycares: Daycare centers are another place where children spend many days of the week. When children are not being properly supervised, there could be accidents related to falls, choking, and more.
- Stores: Just as with adults, grocery stores and shopping centers can be filled with dangers waiting to occur. Uneven flooring, falling merchandise, and more can cause severe injuries to children.
- Parks: When safety measures are not properly put in place in parks, a serious playground accident or a dog bite could occur within seconds.
- On Stockton Roadways: When children are passengers in vehicles, they could be badly injured in a car accident. Other accidents that happen on our roads involving children include pedestrian and bicycle accidents among many others.
Injuries to Children Involved in Stockton Accidents
Depending on the circumstances that led to an accident involving a child, minor to catastrophic injuries could occur. Because children are still developing, injuries can have a huge impact on their lives, sometimes even leaving to permanent damages. Some of the most common types of injuries that children sustain in accidents include the following:
- Broken bones/Fractures
- Facial and dental injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Burns and scarring
- Spinal cord damage/Paralysis
Some of these injuries can heal in weeks, while others can affect a child for the rest of their life. No matter what, it can be a long road to recovery for a child who was hurt in an unexpected accident in Stockton.
Who is Liable for a Stockton Accident That Injures a Child?
Where your child was injured and what was happening at the time of the accident can help you determine who is responsible for your child’s injuries. As long as you can show that a party breached their duty of care and it caused your child’s accident, they are likely liable for the accident.
Some of the most common parties who are responsible for child-related accidents in Stockton each year include:
- Schools
- Government entities
- Churches or religious organizations
- Property owners, including stores and other businesses
- Manufacturers of defective products
- Drivers of passenger vehicles and trucks
With the help of an attorney, you can show that one or more parties are liable for your child’s accident. This can help you move forward with a successful personal injury claim.
Damages Available in Your Child’s Accident Claim
No matter if you choose to move forward with an insurance claim or a personal injury claim on behalf of your child, there are many types of damages that you can recover. Some damages that may be available in your child’s claim include:
- Medical expenses that your child incurred or should expect to incur in the future
- Loss of future earning potential
- Property damages
- Out-of-pocket expenses such as travel to medical appointments and prescriptions
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Wrongful death damages if a child’s life was taken in an accident
Child injury claims follow a different statute of limitations than those involving injured adults, which is one thing to keep in mind. The two-year statute of limitations does not start for children until they are 18. However, it is important to act as quickly as possible so that your child can retain their rights following an accident.
Contact a Stockton Child Injury Lawyer Today
If your child was injured in a Stockton accident due to another party’s carelessness, you may wonder where you and your family can turn for assistance. At Maison Law, our Stockton personal injury lawyers are here to assist you in your dire time of need. We will help your family through this tough situation by providing you with the helpful resources you need to get back on your feet. Please contact us today for a free and confidential case consultation.
