Being a parent means living with stress and anxiety, but nothing compares to the stress of having a physically injured child. Physical injuries may result from various activities. No matter how hard parents try to protect their children from accidental injury, children are sometimes on the receiving end of dog bites or injuries from motor vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents.
If your child suffered an injury caused by a negligent person, your family deserves just financial compensation from that negligent person. Hiring a Lake County child injury lawyer could help you build a strong personal injury claim.
What Is Negligence?
Negligence is a legal concept that refers to a person’s failure to take reasonable care owed in a given situation to another person. The law refers to this as the duty of care. If the violation of a duty of care directly results in bodily injuries to the other person, then the negligent actor may be held liable for the actual damages suffered. The injured person may then bring a lawsuit for just financial compensation in recompense.
What Financial Compensation May the Court Award After an Injury to a Minor?
In a child’s personal injury case, the Lake County attorney may sue for actual damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- In-home medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation therapy
If the court considers the negligent person’s actions or failure to act shocking, then it may permit a demand for punitive damages. Punitive damages intend to punish the negligent person and prevent future similar acts.
An experienced attorney knows how important it is to collect and preserve medical records, medical expenses, and eyewitness accounts as evidence for the potential trial. The family should only worry about helping the injured child recover their health, not participate in the investigation.
Laws That Could Affect a Child Injury Claim
A Lake County lawyer experienced in child injury cases knows the motor vehicle laws that apply to the child’s case, as well as the statutory time limitations for filing lawsuits. For example, Florida is a no-fault state, which means that each driver involved in the accident looks to their insurance company to cover medical payments resulting from the accident. It does not matter who is at fault. If, however, the party at fault is uninsured or does not have insurance at the levels prescribed by law, then legal representative may recommend a civil lawsuit to demand just financial compensation.
Personal injury accidents after March 24, 2023, are subject to a two-year time limit. Filing after two years from the date of the injuries will cause the court to reject the lawsuit and deny recovery. Uninsured or underinsured motorist cases must be resolved within five years from the date of the injury, or the child’s representative must file a civil lawsuit before the five-year period expires.
Consult a Lake County Child Injury Attorney Today
The best decision you can make for your injured child is to consult with a lawyer today. Make an appointment for a free consultation. Your lawyer will review the facts and assess the value of your case. The Largey law firm attorneys are experienced and know how to guide your next steps to a successful conclusion.
When you hire a Lake County child injury lawyer, you have a professional on your side. Call today.
