Sunset Hills Child Injury Lawyer

Children commonly fall and suffer from minor injuries. They are resilient, and most of the time, they bounce back quickly. However, when a person is negligent and causes them to suffer severe injuries, it could cause them not only physical pain, but they may also suffer from mental and emotional trauma.

Watching your child suffer is one of the most devastating things parents can go through. When your child sustains injuries because of another party’s thoughtless actions, a skilled injury attorney at our firm could help you hold them financially accountable. Contact a Sunset Hills child injury lawyer to get started on your case.

The Most Common Child Injuries

Children sustain injuries for many reasons—and much of the time—no one is at fault. However, in certain instances, someone may be responsible. Some of the most common child injuries that lead to civil lawsuits in Sunset Hills include:

• Swimming pool accidents and near drowning
• Choking on small toy parts and other defective products cases
• Falls from heights on playgrounds or from climbing indoors
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Medical malpractice
• Severe burn injuries
• Catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
• Crush injuries from falling or tipping furniture

A Sunset Hills child injury attorney could review the circumstances surrounding a specific case to determine if there is an at-fault party. If so, a claim for damages could cover medical expenses, the cost of ongoing care, as well as physical and mental pain and suffering.

The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine

The attractive nuisance doctrine allows guardians of injured children to file a claim for damages, even if the child was trespassing when they suffered injuries. In order to file an attractive nuisance claim, it must be proven that the owner knew or should have known something on their property would attract children, and children would fail to realize the danger.

When a property owner has something on their property that is attractive to children, such as a swimming pool or trampoline, they must ensure the property is secure. The threat to children’s safety must outweigh the cost of securing the property.

A careless property owner failing to secure their property, causing a child to sustain injuries, falls within the attractive nuisance rule. In such instances, a hard-working child injury lawyer in Sunset Hills could help hold the negligent property owner responsible.

Statute of Limitations for Child Injury Claims

The time frame to commence legal action in personal injury claims is five years under the state’s statute of limitations. However, according to the Revised Statute of Missouri § 507.115, when a minor or infant sustains injuries, the clock will not begin running until their 21st birthday.

The legislation considers any child under the age of 18 as an infant. Thus, the ability to file a claim after suffering a child injury could last until a person turns 26 years old.

Get in Touch with a Sunset Hills Child Injury Attorney

Civil laws could entitle you to collect compensation to cover the damages if a careless person or property owner caused your child harm. However, child injury claims are complex, and you may face many legal roadblocks and challenges.

An experienced legal professional could help you navigate the process and recover the award amount your child needs for quality medical care. Call a Sunset Hills child injury lawyer to schedule a meeting if you have any questions or need help with your claim.