Children are the most extraordinary treasures, and parents will do anything to keep them safe from harm. Unfortunately, regardless of how many precautions people take to protect their kids, accidents and injuries still occur. Some accidents are out of everyone’s hands and happen because kids play hard.
However, sometimes the injuries occur because of other parties’ negligent actions. Fortunately, a skilled injury representative could help you collect compensation if someone was careless and caused your child harm. Schedule a consultation with a Houma and Terrebonne Parish child injury lawyer to learn more.
Some of the Common Accidents Leading to Severe Child Injuries
Any accident can cause kids to sustain injuries, especially when caretakers or other adults are negligent. Some of the most common accidents leading to adolescent injury civil actions include:
Vehicle Collisions
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of child injury lawsuits. When a motorist’s negligence causes an accident and children sustain injuries, the court will hold them financially accountable.
Drowning and Other Swimming Pool Related Injuries
While kids love swimming pools, they are a significant cause of severe or fatal injuries. Therefore, property owners with swimming pools must follow safety rules and regulations to prevent children from suffering harm.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Anyone can sustain injuries from a dog bite or animal attack. However, kids are more vulnerable to them due to their height and inexperience in being around unfamiliar dogs. A seasoned attorney in Houma and Terrebonne could help collect evidence to prove that a careless party caused a child injury.
What Damages are Available in Child Injury Lawsuits?
After legal counsel proves that a defendant’s reckless actions caused the child to sustain injuries, the court will award damages to cover economic and noneconomic damages. The award amount could cover the following:
- Current and future medical care costs and ongoing expenses
- Loss of pay if the child’s guardian must miss work or quit their job to provide around-the-clock care
- Home renovations
- Physical, emotional, and psychological pain and suffering
An experienced attorney in Houma and Terrebonne Parish could work to prove the total cost of damages and losses.
The Statute of Limitations Timeline for Child Injury Cases
The statute of limitations, or the Liberative prescription in Louisiana, is crucial when filing a personal injury claim for damages. The legislation sets the amount of time the claimant must commence legal action after sustaining injuries at one year. However, the cutoff differs in child injury claims.
According to the Louisiana Civil Code § 3492, the statute clock does not begin running until the minor turns 18 and expires on their 19th birth. A diligent lawyer in Houma and Terrebonne Parish could handle the legal filings and ensure a child injury claim is filed within the statute’s requirements.
Call a Dedicated Child Injury Attorney in Houma and Terrebonne Parish
When your child suffers injuries because of a person’s careless actions, an award for damages may be necessary to provide the quality care they need. A compensation claim also allows you to hold the negligent party accountable for their actions.
However, the aftermath of a severe accident and a young person sustaining injuries is overwhelming and may require the help of a hard-working legal professional. Schedule to meet a Houma and Terrebonne Parish child injury lawyer if you need help with a case. Call today.
