Child Injury Lawyers in Seattle

As a parent, you are always trying to protect your child from harm. When you entrust their care to other adults, such as teachers, babysitters, relatives, and others, you believe they will take the same precautions you do to safeguard your child. Sadly, this doesn’t always occur, and your child can end up hurt in a preventable accident. When this happens, you may be uncertain whether you can file a lawsuit for the damages your child and your family, as a whole, have experienced. It is important to remember that you have the right to seek compensation on behalf of a minor for their injuries and for the sacrifices you’ve made to care for them.

At Elsner Law Firm, we know any injury to a child is heartbreaking and difficult. Our compassionate lawyers are here to answer all your legal questions and guide you through the claims process as you seek justice. We provide a free consultation, and you will only pay if we recover compensation in your case.

How Can Injuries Happen to Children?

In general, any injuries that can happen to an adult can happen to a child. However, these injuries tend to occur more often in places children frequent. These places usually aren’t inherently unsafe since they are designed for kids, but it is vital for children to have proper supervision and care to ensure that accidents don’t occur. When caregivers are negligent in their care, or worse, intentionally malicious to the child, serious injuries can result. Some of the most common situations that can result in childhood injuries include:

• Car accidents (especially ones involving defective car seats and airbags)
• Dog attacks
• Pedestrian accidents
• Swimming or diving injuries
• Slip and fall accidents

Why Are Children Particularly Susceptible to Accidents?

Children are still learning about the world and are often curious explorers, but they may not realize that certain things can harm them. This makes them much more prone to accidents than other age groups. In fact, it is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that unintentional injuries are responsible for over nine million hospital visits for children every year across the US. Children are also smaller, less coordinated, and less able to protect themselves in all types of accidents, leading to more severe injuries from common accidents such as drownings, burns, and falls. Tragically, thousands of children lose their lives to preventable accidents each year, leaving families devastated and searching for answers.

What Damages Can Parents Seek in a Child Injury Case?

If your child has been severely injured due to someone else’s negligence, you usually have until your child’s 18th birthday to bring a personal injury case on their behalf. Once your child turns 18, they have an additional year (until their 19th birthday) to file their own lawsuit if they choose to do so. However, it is recommended to contact a trusted personal injury lawyer immediately after the accident. Waiting to file a claim can be detrimental to your child’s case because critical evidence can be lost or destroyed as time passes.

Because children do not hold jobs or pay expenses for the household, the damages available in a child injury case are somewhat different than those for adult victims. The legal damages a parent may seek in cases where a child was injured can include:

• The child’s medical expenses.
• Parents’ lost wages.
• Education expenses if the child requires specialized care after the accident.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
• Negative impacts on the child’s quality of life.
• Future medical expenses.
• Wrongful death of your child, which can include expenses for end-of-life care and funeral costs.

Why Retain a Lawyer for Your Child’s Injury Case?

Every preventable injury to a child represents a tragedy for them and their family. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often not empathetic to the losses you’ve experienced. They will often deny your claim or offer you a settlement that does not even begin to cover you and your child’s damages. A child injury lawyer from Elsner Law Firm can simplify the process of getting full compensation from the liable parties, either through negotiation or a lawsuit when necessary. We will tenaciously pursue justice for you and your injured child. Call our law firm today at 206-447-1425 to schedule a free consultation.