What We Do Personal Injury Child Injury Claims

Child Injury Claims

Our Florida Child Injury Lawyers Fight for Justice After Your Child is Hurt

Was Your Child Involved in an Accident? Discuss Your Family’s Rights and Options

As a parent, there is no worse feeling than knowing that your child is suffering. You do your best to keep your children safe, and you think you are putting your trust in the right people and the right companies. But, the unfortunate reality is that you can never fully protect your children from all of the risks that exist out in the world. After your child is injured, the best thing you can do is seek professional help, which includes speaking with a Florida child injury lawyer about your family’s legal rights.

At Searcy Denney, we are passionate about helping families in cases involving child injuries. We have decades of experience handling all types of personal injury, premises liability, and product liability claims, and we have recovered billions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We use this experience to help families struggling to cope with the financial costs of their children’s injuries, and we fight to ensure that families have the financial resources they need to provide their children with the best lives possible.

If your child has been seriously injured in an accident in Florida, you should speak with a lawyer about your family’s legal rights. Your family may be entitled to financial compensation—and, if so, working with an experienced lawyer will be key to maximizing your family’s recovery. Even in child injury cases, the insurance companies put their interests first, so it is important to have an experienced and committed advocate on your side.

At Searcy Denney, we handle child injury cases throughout Florida. We have decades of experience, and we have recovered billions of dollars in financial compensation for our clients’ losses. Our Florida child injury lawyers can explain everything you need to know, help you make informed and confident decisions, and then guide you through your next steps at no out-of-pocket cost.

Child Injury Cases We Handle

We handle all types of child injury cases. No matter how or where your child was injured in Florida, we encourage you to contact us if you have any reason to suspect that someone else (or a company) may be to blame. Our experience includes successfully representing individuals and families in cases involving:

Auto Accidents

Auto accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury during childhood. As a parent, you do what you can to keep your children safe, but there are numerous factors that are beyond your control. These include common causes of car, truck and SUV accidents such as:

Distracted, drunk, reckless and aggressive drivers
Roadway hazards
Vehicle defects and inadequate vehicle maintenance
Airbag and child safety seat defects
Truck overloading and other issues related to commercial vehicles

If your family has a child injury case as the result of an auto accident in Florida, our lawyers can work quickly to gather the evidence needed to prove your family’s legal rights. We can then use this evidence to seek just compensation on your family’s behalf. Our lawyers will help you understand exactly how much your family is entitled to recover, and we will help you make an informed decision about whether to consider a settlement offer or take the insurance companies to court.

Boating Accidents

Boating accidents are a common cause of child injuries in Florida as well. Just like auto accidents, boating accidents can also result from a variety of different factors. Whether your child was injured while riding in your family’s boat or on a charter or cruise, our lawyers can use their experience to make sure you are seeking the maximum compensation available. We handle boating accident cases involving:

Private vessels and personal watercraft (PWC)
Fishing charters
Sightseeing charters and sunset cruises
Cruise ships
Other commercially operated vessels

In most cases, filing a child injury claim after a boating accident involves dealing with the at-fault boat owner’s insurance company. Our lawyers have extensive experience dealing with maritime insurers in Florida, and we have a clear understanding of what it takes to secure just compensation on behalf of our clients.

Medical Malpractice

If your child received substandard care at a Florida doctor’s office, clinic or hospital, we encourage you to speak with one of our lawyers about filing a claim for medical malpractice. Sadly, medical malpractice is far more common than it should be, and many cases involve child injuries and illnesses that could—and should—have been prevented. From misdiagnoses to errors during childbirth and surgery, we handle all types of medical malpractice claims in Florida, and we have a long track record of securing settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Product-Related Accidents

Product-related accidents are far more common than they should be as well. All types of dangerous and defective products can cause serious child injuries—including products that are specifically designed for children. We handle product liability cases involving everything from home furnishings and baby products to playground equipment and children’s toys. If your child has been seriously injured in a product-related accident, we strongly encourage you to speak with one of our lawyers right away.

Slips and Falls

If your child slipped and fell at school, at a business, at a hotel or resort, at an amusement park or entertainment venue, or on the sidewalk in your neighborhood, your family may have a claim based on the law of premises liability. Florida’s premises liability laws hold property owners, businesses, HOAs and other parties financially responsible for slip-and-fall accidents in a wide range of circumstances. Our lawyers can determine if your family has a claim; and, if so, we can do everything necessary to seek the financial compensation your family deserves.

Other Accidents Resulting in Child Injuries

Along with the types of accidents discussed above, we handle child injury cases involving numerous other types of accidents and incidents as well. These include (but are by no means limited to):

Damage Your Florida Child Injury Lawyer Will Pursue

Although your situation may seem unique, seeking financial compensation for a child injury is fundamentally no different from seeking financial compensation for your injuries as an adult. If a person, business, or government entity is to blame, you can file a claim, and you can seek compensation for some financial and non-financial costs that result from your child’s injury.

When you choose Searcy Denney, our attorneys will thoroughly assess your family’s legal rights. We will work with your family’s doctor (and other specialists as necessary) to understand your child’s and your family’s long-term needs. We will seek maximum compensation based on your family’s personal circumstances, and we will do everything we can to make sure you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.

When Can Parents Seek Financial Compensation for a Child Injury?

We handle cases involving all types of injuries occurring under all kinds of circumstances. For example, we help Florida families recover just compensation in cases involving:

Injuries at Schools and Daycare Centers

Common accidents at schools and daycare centers include slips, trips, and collisions with fixed objects and other children. If your child was injured at a public or private school or daycare center in Florida, we can help your family seek just compensation.

Injuries at Gyms and Other Sports Facilities

Falls, collisions and other accidents at gyms and other sports facilities can lead to broken bones, concussions and many other types of traumatic injuries. If your child was injured during a class, practice, game or competition, the owner of the facility where your child was injured may be legally responsible. We handle claims against teams, sports clubs, and other sports-related entities as well.

Injuries at Playgrounds, Parks and Camps

Playgrounds, parks and camps are supposed to provide enrichment for our children, and they are supposed to be safe for children of appropriate ages. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and serious child injuries during play are far too common.

Injuries at Swimming Pools, Amusement Parks, and Venues

Inadequate maintenance can make swimming pools dangerous places for children. The same is true if a pool is not adequately secured or supervised. Amusement parks, stadiums, arenas and other venues are common sites of slips, trips, falls and other accidents as well.

Injuries at Private Residences

Many child injuries result from accidents at private residences. If your child was injured at a friend’s, neighbor’s, babysitter’s or family member’s home, your family may be able to file a claim under that person’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy.

Injuries from Vehicle Collisions

Vehicle collisions are among the leading causes of serious traumatic injuries for both children and adults. If your child was injured in a crash, we can investigate to identify the responsible party (or parties), and we can use our experience to pursue a claim (or claims) for just compensation.

Injuries Caused by Dangerous Products

All types of products can present injury risks for children. From playground equipment to children’s furniture and home appliances to children’s toys and clothing, our Florida child injury lawyer handles claims involving all types of dangerous and defective products.

Our Florida Child Injury Lawyer Outlines Liability

To recover financial compensation for your child’s injury, one of the first questions you need to answer is, “Who is liable?” While the answer will be clear in some cases, it will not be evident from the facts and circumstances involved in others.

Depending on what happened, where it happened, and why it happened, various parties could potentially be liable for your child’s injury. For example, once our Florida child injury attorney examines the facts of your family’s case, we may determine that we can pursue one or more claims against:

School district or private school
Sports team, league or club
Property owner
Property management company
Retail business
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company
Negligent driver’s insurance company
Negligent driver’s employer
Local, state or federal government agency
Product designer, retailer or manufacturer

Protecting Your Family’s Legal Rights After Your Child Is Injured in an Accident

When seeking to protect your family’s legal rights after your child is injured in an accident, there are some important steps you should try to take promptly. While there are no guarantees, taking these steps as soon as possible will help maximize your family’s chances of recovering just compensation:

Take Your Child to the Hospital or Doctor’s Office – Most importantly, you should prioritize your child’s medical needs. Take your child to the hospital, your doctor’s office or a local clinic, and tell the doctor everything you know about your child’s accident and injuries.
Keep as Much Information as Possible – While our child injury lawyers will conduct a comprehensive investigation, it can be helpful if you keep as much information as possible. This will help our lawyers assess who (or what company) might be responsible and decide where to look first.
Document Your Family’s Costs and Your Child’s Recovery – As your child begins to recover, documenting your family’s costs will help ensure that our lawyers are able to seek maximum compensation on your family’s behalf. Documenting your child’s recovery (i.e., taking photos of his or her injuries and taking notes about his or her physical and emotional status) will help with this as well.
Avoid Falling for the Insurance Companies’ Tactics – Any time you have a personal injury claim, it is critical to avoid falling for the insurance companies’ tactics. If you accept a lowball settlement, you might not be able to go back and ask for more.
Talk to a Florida Child Injury Lawyer – One of the best ways to avoid settling for too little is by talking to a Florida child injury lawyer as soon as possible after your child’s accident. At Searcy Denney, we provide legal representation for families at no out-of-pocket cost, and we can use our experience to help maximize your family’s financial recovery.

FAQs: Filing a Claim for Your Child’s Injury

When is a School or Daycare Liable for a Child’s Injury?

Schools and daycares can be held liable for children’s injuries when these injuries can be prevented through the exercise of reasonable care. For example, if a school hires an unqualified bus driver, or if a daycare fails to adequately supervise children during playtime, these are both circumstances in which parents may have claims for financial compensation. There are many other possibilities as well, and we encourage you to speak with a lawyer if you have questions about your family’s legal rights.

Can You File an Insurance Claim if Your Child was Injured in Someone Else’s Car?

If your child was injured while riding in someone else’s car, you should be able to file an insurance claim. Even though your child was injured in someone else’s vehicle, your family’s personal injury protection (PIP) policy still applies. If your child suffered significant or permanent injuries in the crash, you may be able to pursue a liability claim as well. This could involve filing a claim under the at-fault driver’s coverage, filing a claim under your family’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) policy, filing a third-party claim, or some combination of the above.

How Do You Prove Liability for a Child Injury?

Proving liability for a child injury requires an investigation. The steps involved will depend on the nature of the accident. For example, if your child was injured in a car accident, your lawyer will need to send an investigator to the scene of the crash, examine each vehicle involved and potentially gather evidence from other sources as well. If your child was injured on private or public property, then proving liability will involve examining the property and determining what evidence is available.

In any case, it is important to investigate the cause of the accident as soon as possible. When you choose our firm to represent you, we will begin working to gather the evidence we need to prove liability right away.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Child Injury Claims in Florida?

The statute of limitations for child injury claims in Florida is generally the same as the statute of limitations for adults. This means that parents have up to two years to file a claim in most cases. However, this limitation period can potentially be extended to up to seven years depending on the circumstances involved.

Are There Other Differences Between Adult and Child Personal Injury Claims?

Generally speaking, the laws governing adult and child personal injury claims are the same. Entities and individuals can be held liable when their negligence leads to an accident, and parents can seek full financial compensation for the costs of their children’s injuries. As mentioned above, proving liability requires a prompt and thorough investigation; and, if you think your family may have a claim, you should schedule a time to speak with a lawyer today. Our lawyers represent families in child injury claims throughout Florida.

Should I Hire a Lawyer If My Child Was Injured in an Accident in Florida?

Yes, if your child was injured in an accident in Florida, we strongly recommend talking to a lawyer as soon as possible. This costs nothing, and it is one of the best (and only) ways to ensure that you are making informed decisions with your family’s best interests in mind.

Does Insurance Cover Child Injuries?

Many types of insurance cover child injuries. Not only does auto insurance cover child injuries, but homeowners’ insurance, medical malpractice insurance, commercial liability insurance and other types of insurance cover child injuries as well.

What Costs Can Parents Recover for a Child Injury?

In serious child injury cases, parents can seek just compensation for all of the financial and non-financial costs associated with their child’s accident. This includes past, present and future medical expenses, other out-of-pocket costs, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses.

How Much Can Parents Recover for a Child Injury?

The amount that parents can recover in any particular case depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved. While settlements in child injury cases can be substantial, determining how much compensation is available (if any) requires a case-specific analysis.

Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with a Florida Child Injury Attorney

If your child has been injured in an accident and you would like to learn about your family’s legal rights, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free consultation. To speak with an experienced Florida child injury lawyer in confidence, please call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can help online today.