Free Consultation • Available 24/7
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens. When a child is seriously hurt, a claim should consider their long-term needs.
A serious injury to a child affects the entire family. When a child is injured, you must make important decisions before you have all the information. You are focused on their healing, but you are also dealing with shock, medical bills, and questions about whether someone else’s negligence caused the injury. You need clear answers and accountability.
A child injury claim requires careful evaluation. These cases often involve long-term medical needs, future care costs, and emotional harm that go far beyond immediate treatment. The effects of an injury may change as the child grows. Additional treatment, therapy, or support may be needed, and emotional harm may take time to recognize. Any resolution should account for documented future needs, not just the costs the family is facing today.
Responsibility may also be disputed. An insurance company may question how the injury happened, whether another party was negligent, or how much future care the child will require. Berry Law investigates the circumstances, gathers medical records and other evidence, handles communications with insurers, and documents the full effect of the injury.
Our attorneys manage the legal process while your family focuses on your child’s care. We work to hold people accountable and pursue compensation for current expenses, future care, and other documented losses.
Child injury claims are distinct because they often involve calculating long-term damages that an adult claim might not. When a child is injured, the impact can span their entire lifetime, affecting their development, future earning capacity, and long-term medical needs. Furthermore, because a minor cannot legally file a lawsuit, these claims must be brought by a parent or legal guardian. The court process is also more protective of the minor; any settlement reached must often be reviewed and approved by a judge or a guardian ad litem (see below) to ensure it is in the child’s best interest. This added layer of judicial oversight ensures that the funds are managed correctly to support the child’s future, rather than just covering immediate losses. Our team navigates these unique procedural requirements with the care and experience necessary to protect your child’s financial security.
In a child injury case, recovery focuses on making the child whole for the harm they have suffered. This includes compensation for all past and future medical bills related to the injury, including therapy, rehabilitative care, and specialized equipment. Beyond economic damages, compensation can account for non-economic impacts such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If the injury is catastrophic and affects the child's future ability to work or care for themselves, damages can also address future earning capacity and the necessity of life-long care. Our goal is to assess every potential impact, physical, psychological, and financial, to ensure the settlement or verdict covers not just the cost of the injury today, but the reality of the challenges your child may face tomorrow.
The statute of limitations for child injuries can be complex and differs from standard adult timelines. In many jurisdictions, the clock for filing a lawsuit is "tolled," or paused, while the victim is a minor. This means the legal deadline to file might not begin to run until the child reaches the age of majority (18 or 21, depending on the state). However, relying on this delay can be a mistake. Evidence can disappear, witnesses' memories fade, and the sooner you initiate a claim, the stronger your position will be when negotiating with insurance companies. Because the rules vary significantly by location and specific circumstances, it is critical to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to understand exactly when the legal deadline applies to your specific case.
In many jurisdictions, when a settlement is reached for a minor, the court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). The GAL is an independent representative, often an attorney, whose sole responsibility is to investigate the settlement and report back to the court regarding its fairness. They act as a neutral third party to ensure that the proposed compensation is adequate and that the parents or guardians have negotiated in the best interests of the child. This process is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and to guarantee that the settlement funds are properly protected or placed in trust for the child's benefit. At Berry Law, we have extensive experience working with guardians and court-appointed representatives, ensuring the process remains transparent and that every step serves to secure your child’s future.
Practical tools and clear information to help you understand your legal options. Explore Berry Law articles, videos, and calculators for Veterans, injured people, and their families.
Get a free review of your case from our personal injury attorneys.
A strong claim starts with the facts and follows the evidence. Berry Law handles the legal work so you can focus on your recovery.
We review your case at no cost and explain your options.
You can call us 24/7.
We gather evidence, obtain medical records, interview witnesses and build your case.
We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to get you fair compensation.
We settle your case or take it to trial if the insurance company will not pay fairly.
Contact our personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation. We understand what you're going through and will fight for the compensation you're entitled to.
