No parent wishes to dwell on the idea that their child may be injured in even a minor capacity. However, there are only so many factors you can control when raising a child. Even if you attempt to keep your kid safe, it’s possible they’ll one day be injured due to the actions or negligence of another party.
The severity of their injuries will influence a child’s recovery. Depending on how seriously injured a child is, their injuries may leave them with certain long-term needs. For example, a child hurt in a truck wreck or other major accident could sustain injuries leaving them in need of ongoing medical care.
It’s vital to understand your potential legal options in these circumstances. If someone else caused your child’s injuries, they may be eligible to receive financial compensation. Taking proper legal action can help you secure the compensation necessary to provide for the long-term needs of a child who’s been hurt because someone else was irresponsible.
How Serious Injuries Can Impact a Child’s Long-Term Needs and Life Experiences
The specific ways injuries will affect a child’s needs and experiences as they grow up will depend on the nature of the injuries, how severe they are, and more. Again, speaking generally, major injuries can result in the need for long-term medical treatment.
They can also substantially limit a child’s potential in certain areas. For example, perhaps a child sustains a brain injury in a motor vehicle wreck or similar incident. Such an injury could limit their cognitive abilities, preventing them from otherwise achieving their full potential in both their academic and professional careers.
An injury can also affect a child’s mobility. They may not be able to qualify for certain professions later in life due to an injury that causes problems for years. On top of all this, serious injuries can cause a child to struggle with physical and emotional pain.
Again, they may be eligible to receive compensation for such losses. Whether they are can depend on many factors, such as the way they sustained their injuries, whether their injuries resulted from anyone’s negligence, and more.
Seeking Compensation to Address an Injured Child’s Long-Term Needs
The general way in which you might seek compensation when a negligent party causes a child’s injuries involves filing an insurance claim. However, the specifics of the process can vary based on the type of accident that caused the injuries and other such factors. Strongly consider enlisting the help of a legal professional when pursuing compensation by filing an insurance claim.
Steps the process typically involves include:
- Reviewing the facts of the case to determine if your child is eligible for compensation
- Identifying the liable parties, which may require investigating the incident
- Gathering evidence of liability, another task that may require an extensive investigation
- Adding up the cost of your child’s injuries and losses to estimate approximately how much compensation they may be eligible to receive (although no one can ethically promise your child will receive a specific amount of compensation)
- Submitting a claim with supporting evidence
- Negotiating with the insurance company
Be very careful during negotiations with insurance adjusters. Often, they pretend to be on the side of claimants, when in reality the job of an adjuster is often to guard against financial losses for their employer. That means an adjuster’s top priority may be convincing you to settle your case for as little money as possible. An adjuster may even try to deny your claim if they can justify doing so.
The specific ways injuries will affect a child’s needs and experiences as they grow up will depend on the nature of the injuries, how severe they are, and more.
How Legal Professionals Can Help When a Child’s Injuries Result in Long-Term Needs
An attorney can gather evidence helping to show an insurance adjuster why your child deserves the compensation you’re seeking. A lawyer can also help you evaluate settlement offers to determine if they’re fair. Although the goal is to arrive at a settlement out of court, if necessary, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent your child during a trial.
Lawyers can assist with other complex tasks that pursuing compensation may involve as well. For example, an attorney can help assign a potential dollar value to the pain and suffering your child may endure as a result of their injuries. In addition, a lawyer can help you understand any limitations your case may involve, such as damages caps.
Learn more by getting in touch with a Boston personal injury lawyer at Swartz & Swartz, P.C. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at (617) 742-1900.
Need Help?
If you or someone you know, needs help from a lawyer, contact the law offices of Swartz & Swartz, use our live chat, or send us a message using the form below and we’ll get in touch to assess your case and how we can help.
About the Author: James Swartz
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