Hollywood residents of any age can suffer devastating injury, and serious injuries can be especially terrible when they happen to children. Children may struggle to understand why they have been injured and may not have the life experience and skills to deal with chronic pain, extended hospital stays, and every other facet of a serious injury. Worse, a serious injury can affect a child’s entire future. It can impact their ability to go to school and to pursue their dreams.
If a child has been injured due to someone’s negligence, a personal injury lawsuit may be possible. Usually, a parent will file the lawsuit on behalf of the child and will seek compensation for the child.
When children are the plaintiffs in a Hollywood or South Florida personal injury claim, attorneys and parents need to consider the best interests of the child. A legal claim can help secure compensation for a child’s medical expenses and other needs, but legal action can also mean stress for someone who is too young to understand the law fully.
A child who is a plaintiff may require additional support during a claim. If your child has been injured, there are several things you can do:
1) Act in the best interests of your child.
Children are not the ones to file a claim. It’s important for families to discuss what options are in the best interests of the child and to act with the child in mind. In many cases, seeking fair compensation can help pay for the best quality medical care, counseling, and any other services a child needs after a serious trauma. If you’re not sure whether pursuing a claim is right in your situation, contact a personal injury attorney in Hollywood or your community to review the situation with an attorney.
2) Work with an attorney who understands children.
Talk to an attorney who understands children and has experience with cases involving minors. At Flaxman Law Group, for example, we are a family-based law firm and our attorneys have worked on cases involving children injured in pool accidents, car accidents, and more.
3) Prepare your child for the legal claim.
Work with your attorney to prepare your child for a legal claim. Even though your child may not need to appear, they may be aware of what is going on and it’s important to offer as much support as possible. Stay alert for sleep changes, changes in eating habits, mood swings, and other signs your child is struggling. Counseling or working with your child’s doctor can ensure your child has the support they need to heal.
4) Keep lines of communication open and answer questions as they arise.
Your child may seem fine about their injury but questions may arise or worries or fears may develop over time. Continue to talk to your child in an open and age-appropriate way and answer their questions about injury and the accident. You may also want to consider a support group for parents and families affected by childhood injury. These groups can be very useful in helping you and your family find resources and help when you need it.
If your child has been injured and you’d like honest and professional legal advice and representation, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our attorneys are always standing by to help South Florida families.