Santa Clara Child Injury Lawyers CA

Common Types of Child Injury Cases

Accidents and injuries that happen to children are oftentimes beyond the control of their parents. If any harm has come to your child, it is important to know the conditions in which they were injured in order to obtain justice. The majority of cases that our child injury attorneys handle involve the following types of accidents:

Bicycle Accidents

Cycling is a great way for kids to have fun and stay active. However, because they are smaller and less visible than adult cyclists, they are more at risk of being hit by careless drivers.

Slip & Fall Accidents

Children commonly have accidents when they are playing. They may slip and fall, which is not usually a cause for alarm. However, depending on the circumstances, some slip and fall accidents can be more dangerous. These types of accidents may lead to head injuries which can greatly affect a child’s growth and development.

Playground Injuries

Improperly maintained playground equipment or improper mounting can lead to serious accidents and injuries. In these cases, the school district, local government, manufacturer, or employee responsible for watching over your child may be held liable for their injuries. Playground safety is important in order to prevent accidents and injuries from happening.

Toy-Related Injuries

Curious children tend to put objects in their mouths as their way of exploring and learning. If a child’s toy is defective or if the manufacturer fails to warn about any hazards present in the toy, this can cause unintentional injuries.

Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of child mortality in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2019, more than 91,000 children were injured in auto accidents. The incorrect use of car seats or boosters seats can also lead to fatal injuries.

School Bus Accidents

Accidents on the way to school or on a field trip are common due to unsafe conditions on school buses. The lack of safety belts, airbags, and proper seats, coupled with distracted driving, can put your child at risk of suffering serious injuries.

Pedestrian Accidents

As pedestrians, children are more vulnerable to traffic collisions and injuries. All drivers have a duty of care to be extra cautious around pedestrian children. According to the CDC, 20.4% of children under the age of 15 killed in car crashes were pedestrians. However, pedestrians aged 15 and up made up 17% of those involved in auto accidents.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pool accidents can occur quickly and without warning. It is the responsibility of the pool owner to provide a safe environment at all times. This includes ensuring that the area is free of hazards and that proper safety measures are in place. Common swimming pool injuries include drowning, slip and fall, and electrocution.

Birth Injuries

Any damage or harm to a newborn that happens during or near the time of birth is referred to as a birth injury. Some common examples of birth injuries may include oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia), too much pressure on the baby’s head or body (birth trauma), and developing an infection or other complications.

Dog Bites

Despite their loving nature, dogs may attack. Children are at high risk of being bitten by a dog because of their small stature and playful nature. Never leave children unsupervised around a dog. Regardless of the size of the dog, they can cause serious bite injuries to an unsuspecting child.

Amusement Park Accidents

Accidents that take place in an amusement park can happen when equipment is not well-maintained or if staff members are not careful. If your child was injured while at a town fair or amusement park, it may be possible to hold the operators and park managers responsible.

Day Care Negligence

Child abuse and neglect at day care centers can comprise a wide variety of actions that may negatively impact your children, such as sexual abuse, physical violence, confinement, malnutrition, and lack of proper monitoring. An experienced personal injury lawyer can work on your behalf and take legal action against the negligent parties.

Most Common Injuries Children May Suffer in an Accident

Injuries such as bumps, cuts, and bruises are a natural part of childhood. However, some accidents can lead to more serious injuries. Here are some of the most common unintentional injuries children sustain in accidents:

• Head injuries
• Broken bones/fractures
• Internal organ injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Bruises
• Choking
• And more

Steps to Take After a Child is Injured

If your child is involved in an accident, it is important to know what to do next in order to ensure a quick and prompt recovery. These steps will also help strengthen your child’s injury claim against the at-fault party and ensure that your child receives prompt medical attention.

1. Seek medical attention immediately. If your child has been in an accident, no matter how minor they may seem, it is important to take them to the hospital right away. Internal bleeding, for example, might not be immediately apparent but can lead to serious health complications or even death if left untreated. Make sure to keep track of your medical records and medical bills.
2. Collect information. Write down pertinent information about the negligent party, such as their full name, contact details, identification, and if possible, their insurance carrier information.
3. Report the incident. Inform the relevant authorities of the accident and the injury your child sustained. For example, if your child was injured in school, inform their teacher or principal of the incident.
4. Document your child’s injuries. Make sure to photograph your child’s injuries immediately after the accident and during the healing process. Your personal injury attorney may use this as evidence to add weight to your personal injury claim.
5. Contact our Santa Clara child injury lawyers. Filing a claim for compensation regarding a child’s injury can be complicated. You must obtain the legal advice of an experienced accident lawyer to help you navigate through your claim and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your child’s injuries and damages.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Claim for a Child Injury?

Different parties may be found liable for injuries to your child, depending on the circumstances. For example, a guilty driver, the manufacturer of an unsafe toy or product, the school or daycare facility negligent in providing proper supervision, or the swimming pool owner could all be held responsible.

As a parent, your top priority will be your child’s health and well-being. Some severe injuries may entail expensive medical treatment. Therefore, it’s important to consult with an experienced accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss the possibility of filing a personal injury claim for compensation. Some examples of damages that may be recoverable include:

• Medical expenses
• Home care costs
• Cost of special schools or educational programs
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• And more

Expert Santa Clara Child Injury Lawyers

Caring for an injured child and handling a personal injury claim at the same time can be mentally taxing and exhausting. What’s worse is that insurance companies may take advantage of this vulnerable time to lower the value of your claim in order to avoid paying a fair settlement offer.

As a personal injury law firm with years of experience handling child injury claims, we understand the difficulties and complexities of a child injury claim. We are here for you. Not only will we handle all of the difficult paperwork, but we will also ensure that your child is treated by the best doctors.

We will deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you can have the peace of mind to focus solely on your child’s recovery. Our experienced attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims.

We work on a contingency fee basis and offer our clients a No Fee Guarantee. This means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win your case.

Our Santa Clara child injury lawyers will fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible. If your child sustained injuries due to the careless actions of another party do not hesitate to call us today!

Contact us at (408) 715-3296 for a free case consultation. Your justice is our cause!