There are a number of ways children can suffer injuries. While some of these injuries are minor, others can result in long-term damages, with the injuries requiring expenses for years to come. If a child suffers long-term injuries, the child’s parents may bring a claim for their expenses related to the child’s injuries, and another claim may recover damages the child suffered.
A Child’s Long-term Injuries & Their Consequences
Some injuries can have long-term consequences. For instance, a bicycle accident might result in head injuries, and a severe head injury can have permanent and life-altering consequences. A child with even a moderate head injury can suffer consequences like cognitive impairment that can affect his or her life in the short- and long-term. Some children may suffer spinal injuries that can affect sensation and mobility. In any of these cases, a child may require not just emergency medical treatment and short-term care, but also long-term care.
For instance, in the case of a brain injury.
- The child may need special, more expensive schooling.
- The child may need innovative therapies and surgeries.
- The child may need long-term rehabilitation.
In the case of a spinal cord injury, the child may require the following.
- Wheelchairs
- Therapy
- Walking aids
How do I claim compensation for my child’s long-term injuries?
Under Georgia law, a child can recover compensation for damages, just as an adult may do the same. However, the court also recognizes the parents’ right to be compensated for medical and other expenses they face as a result of the child’s injuries.
When a child is injured, the parents may file a claim recovering their own losses as a result of their child’s injuries. This likely includes medical expenses as well as lost time from work while caring for the child after the accident.
The claim should seek short-term medical expenses like a hospitalization, medication, etc., but also long-term damages like future physical therapy, wheelchairs, nursing care, and more, if required. Other damages may be recoverable as well, depending on the circumstances. Talk with a lawyer about recoverable damages in these cases.
Meanwhile, the injured child is also entitled to recover damages. The statute of limitations is tolled, though, and the child generally has until age 20 to file a claim, except in cases of medical malpractice when the child must file by age seven if under five years old at the time of the injury, or within two years of the injury if it occurred after the child turned five years of age.
Where to Find Legal Help in Peachtree City
If your child has suffered injuries in an accident, it is important to file a claim that covers not just medical expenses, but also the long-term consequences of the injury. But many parents feel overwhelmed dealing with the medical aspect of their child’s accident and injuries, as well as the legal side that may be necessary to recover damages.
Seek legal help to not only help alleviate this burden, but to help ensure you recover fair compensation for all short- and long-term damages. An attorney can also answer questions about filing a claim on the child’s behalf and when might be the right time to do so.
Call 404-474-0804 to discuss your claim with attorney Jason Schultz in Peachtree City. You can also fill out the form on our contact page to schedule a free initial consultation with our firm.