Parents put their trust and faith in organizations and individuals to help them keep their children safe. From babysitters to coaches, parents must trust that these individuals and companies will protect them from injury and harm. When a company or individual’s negligence or carelessness leads to your child’s injury, you may not know where to turn or what to do.
There is no worse feeling as a parent than knowing your child is hurt. While your primary focus is on your child and on helping them recover, the best thing you can do after their accident is to contact an experienced Florida child injury lawyer immediately.
Families struggling to cope with the financial costs of their children’s injuries need a strong legal advocate on their side from the start. At Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys, PA, we are passionate about helping Florida families after a serious accident. We have years of experience handling all types of personal injury claims and use this experience to help injured children and their families seek justice.
Why Choose Our Florida Child Injury Lawyers?
Seeking financial compensation and justice for your child’s injury is the same as filing an injury claim as an adult. If someone caused your child’s injury, we can help you hold them accountable. You have a right to file a claim on your child’s behalf to recover both tangible and intangible losses.
When you choose our law firm, we go to work quickly for you and your family. Our Florida child injury lawyers work closely with your family’s medical professionals and, if necessary, consult with specialists to gain a deep insight into your child’s condition and what your family might need in the future to take care of your child and their injuries.
Our primary aim is to secure the maximum compensation possible, taking into account your family’s unique circumstances. We’re committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that you and your family receive the full and fair compensation you rightfully deserve.
Types of Child Injury Cases We Handle
We handle various child injury cases in Florida, including:
- Injuries at Schools and Daycare Centers
- Gym and Sports Facility Accidents
- Injuries at Playgrounds, Parks, and Camps
- Drowning or Near-Drowning Accidents
- Injuries at Amusement Parks and Venues
- Trampoline Accidents and Injuries
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Defective Product Injuries
- Poisoning
- Slip and fall accidents
- Food allergy injuries
- Choking accidents
- School bus accidents
- Dog bite accidents
Common Causes of Child Injuries in Florida?
Many child injuries are caused by inadequate supervision. When daycare workers or responsible adults fail to supervise children appropriately, they can suffer serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
Negligence from caregivers, teachers, or others responsible for children’s well-being can lead to injuries. This can include failure to adequately supervise children, leaving hazards unattended, or not taking appropriate safety precautions.
Here are the most common causes of child injuries in Florida.
Accidental Falls
Accidental falls are one of the leading causes of child injuries. Children are naturally curious and explore their surroundings, often without fully understanding potential dangers. A slip on a wet floor, a tumble down the stairs, or a fall from playground equipment can result in sprains, fractures, or even head injuries.
Schools, daycares, and other organizations can reduce child injuries by installing safety gates, using non-slip mats, and supervising children during playtime.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Tragically, motor vehicle accidents are another major contributor to child injuries. Children are particularly vulnerable in car crashes due to their size and lack of physical development. Failure to use appropriate child safety seats or seat belts can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
Always use age-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts when traveling with children, following guidelines and laws.
Burns and Scalds
Burns and scalds are painful injuries resulting from hot liquids, flames, or contact with hot objects. Negligent daycare centers, schools, and individuals may leave hot liquids within reach of young children. Careless babysitters may place an infant in scalding bath water, resulting in serious burns.
Poisoning
Poisoning incidents can occur when children ingest harmful substances like medications, cleaning products, or household chemicals. Many of these items are attractive to young children due to their bright colors and appealing packaging. Caregivers and organizations must store toxic substances out of reach or in locked cabinets and keep medications in child-resistant containers.
Playground Accidents
Playgrounds are meant to be places of joy, but they can also be the scene of injuries. Children may fall from equipment, collide with others during play, or encounter poorly maintained playgrounds with hidden hazards.
Children must be supervised on playgrounds at all times. When daycare or school staff fails to supervise children on playgrounds adequately, they can suffer serious injuries. In addition, if playground equipment is manufactured poorly, these defects could cause serious child injuries.
Sports and Recreational Activities
Participation in sports and recreational activities is an integral part of childhood. However, without proper supervision and safety measures, these activities can lead to injuries, including sprains, strains, fractures, and concussions.
Coaches and training staff must require all athletes to wear helmets and protective gear at all times.
Choking Hazards
Young children naturally explore the world by putting objects in their mouths. Small toys, coins, and food items can pose choking hazards, potentially leading to life-threatening situations.
Adults and caregivers must keep small objects out of reach, provide age-appropriate toys, and monitor children during meals. Manufacturers must place age recommendations on all toys to help parents make informed choices for their children.
Drowning
Florida’s abundant water sources make drowning a significant concern for child safety. Swimming pools, lakes, and bathtubs can become hazardous if children are left unsupervised.
Homeowners must install barriers and safety gates around pools, and caregivers must always watch children around water.
When Is a School or Daycare Liable for a Child’s Injury?
Schools and daycares have a legal duty of care to protect the children in their care. This means providing a safe environment, adequate supervision, and taking precautions to prevent foreseeable accidents or injuries. You can hold a school or daycare liable when they fail to keep your child safe.
One of the most common scenarios in which schools and daycares may be held liable is inadequate supervision. Accidents can happen when teachers, coaches, and staff do not adequately supervise children during activities. For instance, if a daycare fails to monitor children during playtime, leading to an injury, it could be considered a breach of their duty of care.
Schools and daycares are also responsible for hiring qualified and safe personnel. If they fail to perform adequate background checks or hire someone without the necessary skills or training, parents can hold them liable for injuries their child suffers.
For example, the institution may be held responsible if a school employs a bus driver without the required qualifications and that driver causes an accident.
What If My Child Was Injured in Someone Else’s Car?
The well-being of our children is a top priority, especially when riding in a car. But what happens if your child is injured in someone else’s car? Perhaps they were riding to school or a playdate with a friend. When an accident occurs, you may wonder if you can file an insurance claim and seek compensation. The answer is yes!
Even though your child was injured in another person’s car, your personal injury protection coverage (PIP) can still apply. PIP typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other injury-related costs, offering a crucial safety net for your child’s well-being. You may also be able to file a liability claim against the at-fault driver. Your Florida child injury attorney can help you explore all your legal options.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Child Injury Claims in Florida?
The statute of limitations for child injury claims in Florida is not as long as you might think. Parents have up to two years to file a lawsuit or settle their injury claim. There are exceptions to this law, however. That’s why parents must speak to an experienced Florida child injury attorney immediately. In some cases, you may have more time than you believe, especially when children are under 18 or if the full extent of their injuries is unknown.
Even if you believe you have time, valuable evidence is lost or destroyed quickly after an accident. You must act quickly and let your attorney gather evidence and investigate your case.
Contact Our Florida Child Injury Attorneys Today
If your child was hurt because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, we can help. Our Florida child injury attorneys know that your only concern is your child’s well-being. We can handle all the legal aspects of your child’s case so you can focus on your child and on helping them recover.
We want to meet with you and your family to discuss all your legal options. From the very start, our attorneys will investigate all aspects of your case to help you recover maximum compensation. We offer free case consultations to anyone injured in an accident in Florida. Call Prosper Shaked today at (305) 694-2676 or fill out our confidential contact form.