Any kind of injury to a loved one is going to be devastating; however, an injury to your child will be especially devastating due to the potentially life-changing effects of such an injury. Additionally, you might feel as though you did not do everything you could to keep your child safe and protected. Although there is nothing that can go back in time and prevent this accident, state law might permit you to seek fair compensation from the responsible parties with guidance from a reliable personal injury attorney.
If your child sustained a significant injury, the resulting lawsuit and court procedures could be too complex for someone who is not familiar with the legal system. Having a Cook County child injury lawyer on your side throughout the process could help make the difference in securing a favorable result.
A child injury claim works much like any other personal injury claim filed under Illinois law, thereby entitling an injured child with the legal right to compensation for their damages. Additionally, the typical damages that could be recoverable in a child injury claim are similar to those that are potentially recoverable in other claims. For instance, some of the common damages that a child could be entitled to recover include:
Although there are many similarities between child injury claims and adult injury claims, there are some notable differences. For example, children under the age of 18 cannot file a lawsuit on their own, so a parent or guardian is permitted to file to recover damages on the child’s behalf. Another difference is the statute of limitations in a child injury case, which is the deadline for filing a lawsuit after the injury occurs.
Under state law, a person under the age of 18 may bring a lawsuit within two years of the date on which that person becomes 18 years of age, according to 735 Illinois Consolidated Statutes § 5/13-211. A Cook County child injury attorney could guide the loved ones of an injured child through the claim process and fight for their legal rights.
There is a variety of negligence or wrongdoing that could potentially cause an injury to a child. However, some of the common causes of child injury cases in Cook County include:
A child often requires adult supervision throughout the day to prevent injuries and accidents from happening. Unfortunately, even with adequate supervision, a child can find a way to get into things that could be dangerous. A well-versed child accident lawyer in Cook County understands the common causes of these accidents and could evaluate a potential claim to help determine whether the negligence of another party caused or contributed to it.
When your child suffers a significant injury, it causes much more than just physical pain. The damage could include emotional struggles, significant expenses for medical care, loss of the child’s ability to perform certain activities, and long-lasting trauma. A Cook County child injury lawyer understands how devastating this experience is to your child and could fight for the compensation needed to provide adequate treatment. Call today for an evaluation of your case.