Accidents are a fact of life when you have children. There will always be injuries. Sometimes a parent can kiss them away, and other times they are much more serious.
There are times when your child is injured due to another person’s negligence or fault. Those types of injuries are often the scariest and most difficult to cope with, but a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve as you and your child work on healing.
What are the most common
paediatric injuries, and when should a lawyer be involved? Let’s take a look.
Falling Is the Most Common Cause of Paediatric Injuries
No matter how old a child is, the most common cause of injuries is falling. This can happen while playing a game, on the playground, or when a child is pushed or threatened. A child can also fall down the stairs, off of a surface that doesn’t have a railing, on a slippery floor or patio, or in a wet tub or shower.
A fall can cause a cut, bruising, or even broken bones. You’ll want to review your child’s injuries so that you can decide the best course of action. For a scrape, cut, or bruise, you might be able to provide basic medical attention and your child can resume normal activities. A Band-Aid or reassuring hug might be all you need to provide.
However, a serious gash, bleeding, or broken bones require emergency medical attention. Don’t hesitate to go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care centre. They can help your child get the care they need for a paediatric fracture or other serious injury.
Should you call a lawyer? Many falls will not require a lawyer’s assistance, but if the fall happened due to someone else’s intentional act or negligence, calling a personal injury lawyer in Burlington can help you hold the other party responsible and get the compensation you and your child deserve.
Impact Accidents: Fractures and Concussions
After falling, accidental impacts are the next most common cause of paediatric injuries. While some of these are minor, causing only bumps and bruises, others can cause serious injury.
Children who play sports or often roughhouse with others — including siblings — are among the most likely to have an impact accident.
Sledding is another activity that can lead to impact injuries, especially to the head and neck.
Unfortunately, an impact injury can sometimes be very serious. If your child suffers an impact and seems disoriented, their coach or doctor will follow paediatric head injury guidelines to determine what might be the problem.
A paediatric brain injury can range from a concussion to a traumatic brain injury. In sports, there are a variety of rules and equipment that protect the athletes. However, if the injury is the result of an intentional dirty play or foul, you might want to contact a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation from the person at fault.
Bites and Stings: The Animal Kingdom
Children of all ages are fascinated by animals and insects, and many don’t have the wisdom to know when to hold back. As a result, they may touch animals or insects that end up hurting them. These are a very common cause of injuries among children under the age of 10.
Most bites and stings are uncomfortable but not severe. However, if there are allergies, you may want to seek medical attention immediately.
Some animal bites do cause serious injury. For example, a dog bite can be very deep and full of dangerous bacteria, while bats and other wild animals can carry a variety of diseases. Venomous animals are also a cause for concern, so if you aren’t sure, you can take your child to an urgent care centre for professional attention.
An encounter with a wild animal doesn’t generally require help from a personal injury lawyer. However, if your child was harmed by a pet that was not restrained, like a loose dog, or if an animal encounter experience was not properly monitored, you should contact a lawyer right away. These injuries can cause long-term damage, both physical and emotional, and you and your child deserve appropriate compensation.
Car Accidents: More Serious Injuries
A car collision is a more severe accident that can cause a child to suffer serious injuries. Unfortunately, car accidents can cause everything from paediatric burns to a paediatric spinal cord injury.
When a car accident occurs, there is almost always someone at fault. It’s essential to contact the police right away before leaving the scene of an accident so that law enforcement can document the accident. This documentation is a vital part of pursuing payment from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
When someone else causes an accident, which results in serious injuries, it’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer in Burlington right away. You don’t want to simply rely on the insurance company to compensate you. Remember, their goal is to settle the case for as little as possible. However, you deserve proper representation so that you can get the compensation you deserve, both to handle your child’s recovery and for the emotional trauma you’re going through.
Knowing When to Call a Lawyer
How do you know when to call a lawyer for your child’s injury? If someone else is at fault for your child’s injury, whether by intentional action or negligence, it’s essential to get help from a personal injury lawyer.
Our team works hard to get you the compensation you deserve when someone else causes an injury to your child. We review the circumstances of the injury and determine what kind of compensation makes sense for your situation.
Whether there’s been a dirty hit in sports, a car accident, or someone’s negligence leading to a serious fall, you deserve a listening ear to protect your child’s interests. We can let you know if you have a personal injury case and guide you through the process.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation. Our legal team is on your side so let’s get your family the compensation you deserve.