Loveland Child Injury Lawyer
No child deserves to sustain a debilitating and potentially life-altering injury because of another person’s negligence. When an accident happens, an adult parent or guardian can pursue civil restitution from the person responsible for their family’s losses, which could minimize the impact this incident has on their kid’s long-term prospects.
Child injury claims filed in Colorado have some rules and restrictions that can be difficult to understand and navigate without guidance from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. If you want a fair shot at getting financial recovery for the harm your child sustained, you should make it a priority to contact a skilled Loveland child injury lawyer.
Legal Liability When Kids Are Injured
Most of the time, adults owe the same “duty of care” — in other words, the same obligation to act responsibly in a specific way — to children as they do to adults. For example, when someone causes an auto accident by running a red light, they would be considered at fault for ensuing injuries based on their “breach” of the duty all drivers have to obey traffic laws, regardless of the age of person injured in the wreck.
In certain circumstances, adults may be liable for injuries to children when they would not be liable for injuring an adult under the same circumstances. One common example of this is the “attractive nuisance” doctrine, which affects the “duty of care” property owners owe to illegal trespassers. Landowners have almost no responsibility to protect trespassers from accidental harm, but if a trespasser is a minor child who was drawn toward something like a swimming pool, the landowner may be liable for failing to properly restrict access to that “attractive nuisance” on their property. A Loveland child injury attorney could offer guidance during a private consultation about whether a particular scenario justifies a civil claim.
Taking Action on an Injured Child’s Behalf
A parent or guardian filing suit on their injured kid’s behalf can generally demand restitution for past, future, economic, and non-economic losses their child will face because of their injury, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
- Psychological trauma and distress
- Short- and long-term medical bills
- Lost future working and earning capacity
- Disability-related costs for things like assistive equipment and in-home care
The time limit to take legal action is two years from when the child got hurt, or three years if the injury stemmed from an auto accident. There are also some unique restrictions on how parents and guardians must manage funds obtained on an injured child’s behalf through a personal injury lawsuit or settlement demand. A child accident lawyer in Loveland could further explain how to manage the statute of limitations.
Discuss Legal Options with a Loveland Child Injury Attorney
Injuries to children can be devastating to the child and everyone who knows and loves them. In a situation like this, being proactive about enforcing your right to civil recovery could make a huge difference in both your child’s life and in your whole family’s financial security.
Assistance is available throughout your legal proceedings from a capable and compassionate Loveland child injury lawyer. Call today to set up a meeting.