No parent or guardian ever expects to be in a situation where their child is hurt, injured, or on the verge of death. But if you ever find yourself in this type of situation, it is important to have a good Atlanta child injury lawyer by your side to help you understand the ramifications, verdicts, and settlements in the case of serious accidents.
Some of the top causes of injury in children are car accidents, drowning, suffocation, and falls. All of this can be a parent’s worst nightmare. The sad truth is that the majority of childhood injuries could be avoided if people responsible for taking care of children acted responsibly.
At John Foy and Associates, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of our youngest clients and securing the justice that child injury victims deserve.
Georgia Statutes of Limitation for Child Injury
In Georgia, there is a statute of limitation for personal injury actions that lasts for two years, according to the 2010 Georgia Code Title 9. In most cases, the claims must be made before the child’s 20th birthday.
When it comes to medical expenses, the parents or guardians of the child can bring a claim until the child’s 18th birthday, according to the 2010 Georgia Code Title 19. In these types of cases, it is important for the claims to be made within two years of the date of the child’s injuries.
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Common Child Injuries
Some of the most common injuries among children and teenagers include:
- Car accidents. According to the CDC, vehicle crashes cause more deaths among young children and teenagers than other types of injuries.
- Drowning. Behind car accidents is drowning. For every child that dies in a water-related accident, another three children visit the ER for near-drowning or other water injuries.
- Traumatic brain injury. Approximately 400,000 children are taken to the hospital each year with mild or severe traumatic brain injuries.
- Playground injuries. Many playgrounds are ill-equipped to handle the aggressive nature of children, and unsafe surfaces, as well as malfunctioning equipment can cause injury.
- Poison. Young children especially do not understand the danger of various household chemicals such as cleaning products but can be at risk of poisoning if not watched carefully.
Other forms of child injury include bicycle accidents, boating accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, injuries at birth, dog bites, sexual assault, choking, school accidents, and swimming pool accidents among a host of other things.
The risk of childhood injury continues to rise, but there are small things you can do to keep your home and environment safe that can make a huge impact on your children. Most daycare centers must be approved and reviewed by the state before operating to ensure they are up to code and meet the safety standards required.
Do You Need a Child Injury Lawyer in Atlanta?
The short answer is YES. A childhood injury can happen anywhere and at any time. From time on the playground at school to afterschool sports and sleepovers at a friend’s house to car accidents on the road, it is important to make sure you have someone by your side who understands the legal ramifications of negligence.
When a child’s injury is caused by someone else, a daycare center, or another company’s failure to protect the child, you and your family could benefit from seeking compensation from those who brought on injuries to your child. This is especially true when a child has been met with lengthy disabilities as a result of negligence or recklessness.
There are typically two ways you can recover compensation when a child is injured. First, the family can file a lawsuit asking for damages for medical bills or other remuneration to be granted. Second, the child can file a claim on their own, seeking payment for pain and emotional damage.
It is important to understand the statute of limitations can vary depending on the type of claim you file. You will want to understand the timeline of such claims and the compensation process involved. To do this, a qualified Atlanta child injury attorney can help you understand the ropes and obtain success with your claim.
Atlanta Child Injury Compensation
When a child is injured, the results can be short-term, long-term, or deadly. Anyone who intentionally or even unintentionally but recklessly injures a child should be held accountable for their actions. Working with a child injury attorney in Atlanta can ensure the right type of compensation is pursued.
What do some of these damages for compensation look like? Below are some of the most common ones:
- Disability: The child has been left in a state where he or she is no longer able to perform certain tasks or activities as he or she was before.
- Medical expenses: These can be present (current) medical expenses or future medical expenses such as surgery, medication, and hospitalization after an injury.
- Emotional distress: The outcome after an injury can leave a child feeling traumatized and require years of therapy to relieve the discomfort.
- Cost of therapy: The cost of therapy whether it is physical or emotional can be high and, in some cases, compensation for it can be granted.
A competent Atlanta child injury lawyer can help you work with the insurance companies and not allow them to minimize how much money you can receive. A good lawyer will fight for you and have the right people on your side to accurately calculate what your child’s injuries are worth.
Get Help from an Atlanta Child Injury Lawyer Today
If your child has been injured, both you and they deserve to have expeditious justice. The age of your child or the age at which an injury occurred should never be a factor when it comes to determining what compensation you should receive.
Whether you feel intimidated or overwhelmed, a dedicated and committed Atlanta child injury lawyer at John Foy & Associates will advocate for your rights and get you the compensation and claim rectification you deserve.
We are here for you and your child. When you are ready to get started on your case, fill out our online contact form or call our office to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form