Baltimore Child Injury Lawyer

Child injuries occur for various reasons, including falls, auto accidents, and burns. In addition to their pain or suffering, parents endure emotional anguish and medical expenses during the recovery period. Like all injuries, a child injury often contributes to a worsening quality of life for the child and their parents. Personal injury law allows victims of child injuries to obtain compensation from the at-fault party. However, you must adhere to the applicable laws of child injury claims. 

Consult a trusted child injury attorney in Baltimore, MD, to learn about your rights and how to obtain compensation from the at-fault party. Bob Katz Law is ready to help your family.

What Are Some Common Accidents Involving Children?

Here are the common accidents involving minors:

Falls

Falls are a common cause of emergency room visits among children. They often cause open wounds, bone fractures, and head and brain injuries. Fall accidents mostly occur at home or in playgrounds.

You can prevent fall accidents by:

• Using baby products that meet safety standards
• Using safety traps and features
• Installing cushions on sharp corners
• Don’t leave babies alone in tables, sofas, or changing tables

Burns and Scalds

A scald is a burn from a hot liquid or steam. Many substances can cause scalds in children, including coal ashes, friction burns, hot water from kettles, vehicle exhausts, hot cooking oil, and friction burns.

Burn and scald injuries are likely to occur when you are:

• Entertaining
• Distracted
• Tired, or when your kid is tired
• Visiting friends or family or away on holiday
• In a hurry and under a lot of pressure

Daycare Centers

Children are susceptible to the following injuries in daycare centers:

• Falls
• Choking
• Drowning
• Allergic reactions
• Playground Injuries
• Accidental impact from furniture

Choking

Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional fatalities in children aged below 5. 

Hazards that expose children to choking include:

• Hot dogs, meats, and sausages
• Cheese cubes and ice cubes
• Whole grapes
• Dried fruits
• Foods that clump are sticky or slippery

Car accidents

Car accidents expose children to the risk of severe injuries and fatalities. Children sustain various injuries, including concussions, whiplash, neck injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Brain injuries are particularly devastating because they can cause permanent changes to their emotions, memory, cognitive abilities, and concentration.

Dog Bites

Most kids are unaware that a friendly dog may turn against them and inflict a bite. It is estimated that forty-two percent of dog bite victims are children aged 14 years and below. The injury rate is highest for those aged 5 to 9. A dog bite attorney can investigate the incident and pursue compensation from the at-fault owner.

Drowning

Drowning is a leading cause of injuries and deaths in children and teens. Incidents of drowning are more likely in home pools and tubs among young children. For teens, drowning is more likely to occur in oceans, lakes, and rivers.

According to the Children’s Safety Network, approximately 945 children die in drowning-related incidents in the United States. Studies also suggest that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk in children aged 1-4 years by 88%. Children should also be actively supervised in and around water by a designated adult.

Liability Issues

Property owners have the least obligation to those who enter their property without permission. The owner should warn trespassers about a danger, inspect, or make repairs for their sake. Even so, different rules apply to child trespassers than to adults. Children are usually less likely to appreciate or notice dangerous situations, which is why the law imposes increased duties on them.

If a trespasser is a child, the property owner may owe the child much more care to prevent the injury. For instance, property owners should take steps to prevent the child from entering their property if they own attractive nuisances. Examples of attractive nuisances include swimming pools, trampolines, and swing sets. 

What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Child Injury in Baltimore, MD

You file a personal injury claim or file a child injury lawsuit to recover compensation for injury-related losses.

Here’s a list of possible damages in a child injury claim:

Medical Expenses

A child is likely to suffer complications if a physical injury is left untreated. You must, therefore, pursue a treatment plan from a healthcare provider, which leads to medical expenses. The at-fault party must also cover the medical costs related to the child’s injury.

Medical bills comprise a significant percentage of the settlement value and may include the following items:

• Medical equipment
• Medication
• Surgical charges
• Hospitalization expenses
• Diagnostic tests
• Physicians charge

The severity of the injury influences the value of medical expenses. A treatment plan for a severe injury requires higher medical costs than for minor injuries.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

You might incur other expenses as a result of the child injury, which you may claim as part of economic damages.

Examples of out-of-pocket expenses include:

• Long-term nursing care
• Travel expenses to and from medical appointments
• Special medical supplies and equipment
• Assistance with childcare

Lost Wages

When your child is injured, you may not work according to your normal standards. You may take compassionate leave or leave work entirely and see your wages discontinued. You, therefore, deserve compensation for financial losses you incur due to missed work or having to work at a reduced capacity.

If the child’s injury affects your ability to earn a living in the future, you should receive compensation for lost earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

Many physical injuries trigger devastating pain. Whether it is a burn or a neck injury, your child may endure pain for weeks, months, years, or the rest of their life after the incident. They, therefore, deserve compensation for the pain they endure as a result of the injury.

Loss of Consortium

Your child’s injury may prevent you from enjoying moments of fun as you did before the accident. You, therefore, deserve compensation for the loss of these important aspects of your relationships.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Some injuries may prevent your child from participating in specific activities or stop them from enjoying life as before. For instance, a severe back injury may prevent them from participating in swimming, a favorite hobby. That said, your child deserves compensation for the loss of their favored hobby.

Permanent Impairment

If the injury makes the child impaired or disabled, their life changes forever. The permanent impairment or disability creates a physical or mental impact. They, therefore, deserve damages to cope with the new reality of life.

Emotional Distress

If your child sustains an injury, the events leading to the injury may be traumatic. They may also face mental distress as a result of the injury. For instance, discovering they’ll be paralyzed for the rest of their lives is emotionally devastating. Your child deserves compensation if they experience mental distress as a result of the injury. Signs of emotional distress include depression, impaired memory, phobia, changes in personality, or impaired memory.

What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Child Injuries In Maryland?

The statute of limitations is three years, meaning an injured victim has three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, some special circumstances and exceptions can extend the three-year deadline.

According to Maryland Statutes, a personal injury claim may be filed within three years of the minor turning 18 years. So, the parent of the injured child has until the 21st birthday to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Get Legal Assistance From Our Experienced Child Injury Attorneys in Baltimore, MD

Suppose your child sustains a bone fracture in a car accident caused by an impaired driver. In that case, you’re likely to incur expenses related to the treatment plan and emotional anguish. Working with an attorney enhances your chances of obtaining a positive outcome in a child injury claim.

Bob Katz Law is a highly skilled team of attorneys with decades of experience representing injured children. Contact us online or at 410-576-4287 for a free consultation.

Timothy J. Capurso

Timothy J. Capurso is chair of the firm’s Personal Injury Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on personal injury cases of all types, focusing on automobile accidents. His background includes litigating personal injury cases from inception through trial and settlement negotiations. 25+ years of experience.

Contact Timothy J. Capruso