No parent wants to see their child suffer, especially at the hands of a negligent driver, teacher, or caretaker. Kids are generally active and curious, putting them at a higher risk of sustaining an injury than most adults. Additionally, children’s brains are not fully developed, so they often have difficulty recognizing potential dangers. Unfortunately, these types of accidents often leave children in pain, and parents facing rising expenses, and under the overwhelming stress of not knowing what to do next.
State law offers children the same civil remedies as adults while making allowances for the lack of legal capacity of minors. Whether you are a parent with an injured kid or an adult who sustained a severe injury during childhood, get in touch with a Tampa child injury lawyer. If you believe you have a valid case, a seasoned personal injury attorney could help you initiate a claim.
We have successfully handled injury cases affecting minors from car accidents, ATV accidents, Daycare negligence and accidents caused by product liability.
Child Protection Ordinances in Tampa
The state recognizes that children are vulnerable, so there are specific laws in place to protect your kids. Under the Tampa Code of Ordinances §14-29, children under the age of 18 are prohibited from entering public or semipublic places in the Ybor City neighborhood during restricted hours without a parent or legal guardian.
This policy acts both to protect children from violent late-night crimes. Children, business owners, and parents may receive citations for violations. Talk to a knowledgeable attorney who focuses on cases involving minors to learn more about legal statutes that may be relevant to your case.
How Do You Pursue a Lawsuit for an Accident Involving a Minor?
Like any accident claim, a child injury case may arise from a variety of circumstances. Common situations that may result in a lawsuit include:
- Defective products, such as toys or car seats
- Instances of medical malpractice
- Vehicle accidents
- Playground or classroom accidents at school
With few exceptions, injured parties must file a civil lawsuit within four years of the accident. The deadline to initiate wrongful death action is two years. Because children cannot file civil injury lawsuits before they turn eighteen years old, parents and legal guardians may file suit on their behalf.
What Type of Damages are Available in a Child Injury Case?
Like any injured adult, your child could recover monetary damages for their injuries. If you are an adult seeking compensation for an accident that happened when you were under 18, you may also have the right to pursue a case.
In the unfortunate event of a fatal accident, your family may be able to seek compensation for the loss of your child. By working with a skilled childhood accident attorney, you could fight for justice and work towards a positive outcome of your case.
Speak with an Experienced in Child Injury Attorney
The fact that your child is under 18 should not stop you from taking legal action after a preventable accident. You and your child could hold the responsible parties liable for their behavior. Additionally, depending on the severity, your child unfortunately might suffer from long-term physical and mental effects of their injury that will require a large amount of compensation to cover all future expenses.
The aftermath of your child suffering an injury can be a challenging time for you and your family. You may be uncertain whether you have a valid legal claim arising from the accident. You may be at a loss with how to proceed. Our Tampa child injury lawyers can help! We can give you the advice and counsel you need to move forward.
Children rely on the adults around them to stand up for them and make sure they are taken care of when it comes to their health and well-being. , As a parent, it is important to be aware of your legal options, and understand how pursuing an injury case for your child might help their current health, happiness and protect their future.
Click the button below for a free consultation with an experienced Tampa child injury lawyer so that you can focus on getting your child better while we take care of everything else.