Was Your Child Hurt? Get Help From a Chicago Child Injury Attorney Near You
No parent ever wants to rush a child to the emergency room after an accident. Yet every year, millions of families face that frightening reality. If your child was injured due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions, you may feel anger, frustration, and deep concern about their recovery. Your child may be in pain, missing out on favorite activities like ballet or Little League, struggling with schoolwork, or showing signs of emotional trauma. On top of everything, you may be overwhelmed by mounting medical bills you never should have faced. You shouldn’t have to carry these burdens alone.
Schedule a free consultation with our Chicago child injury lawyers to explore your legal options and fight for the compensation your child deserves.
Chicago Accidents That Commonly Cause Injuries to Children
- Car Accidents — Car accidents are the leading cause of injury and death among children across most age groups, according to public health data. Children’s developing bodies are particularly vulnerable to the violent forces of a car crash, often resulting in severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or broken bones. The risks are even greater when children are not properly restrained in an appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt. If your child was injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, a skilled Chicago child injury lawyer can help you pursue justice and compensation for your child’s medical care, pain and suffering, and future needs.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents — Children love playing outdoors, but that often puts them at risk of pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Kids may dart into the street after a ball, ride bikes or scooters along neighborhood roads, or cross streets without recognizing traffic dangers. Unfortunately, speeding drivers, distracted drivers, or those simply unaware of children’s lower visibility can cause devastating collisions. A child accident attorney can hold negligent drivers accountable and help your family recover damages for your child’s injuries.
- Fall Injuries — Falls are one of the leading causes of injury for young children. Whether falling from playground equipment, down stairs, or on slippery surfaces, children can suffer serious harm such as head injuries, broken bones, or internal trauma. Property owners, daycare centers, and schools have a duty to maintain safe environments. If negligence contributed to your child’s fall, a knowledgeable Chicago personal injury lawyer for children can help you build a strong claim for compensation.
- Drowning Accidents — Drowning is a silent danger and remains one of the top causes of accidental death in young children. It only takes a few moments of unsupervised access to a swimming pool, lake, or even a bathtub for a tragic incident to occur. Lack of fencing, inattentive supervision, or unsafe water conditions often contribute to drowning accidents. A dedicated child injury attorney can investigate these incidents and pursue legal action against negligent property owners, camps, schools, or private individuals.
- Burn-Related Injuries —Burn injuries are another significant source of serious harm to children each year. Fires, fireworks, hot liquids, and electrical accidents can cause life-altering burn injuries, requiring painful treatments and often leaving permanent scars. Fireworks accidents, in particular, frequently cause burns around holidays like the Fourth of July. If another party’s negligence resulted in a burn injury to your child, an experienced Chicago child accident lawyer can help your family pursue compensation for medical expenses, long-term care needs, and emotional trauma.
Children & Brain Injuries in Chicago
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States. Brain injuries can be especially serious for children because their brains are still developing. Injury or damage from an accident can affect development and cause long-term problems with cognitive or motor functions. Sometimes it may take time for those problems to surface following an accident.
Brain injuries can cause a number of problems in children, including:
- Speech impairments
- Vision or hearing impairments
- Paralysis
- Seizure disorders
- Problems with balance or coordination
- Memory problems
- Inability to concentrate
- Trouble communicating
- Mood swings
Broken Bone Injuries for Children
Children’s bones are still growing and developing well into their teenage years. Their bones are softer than those of an adult, and they’re more susceptible to certain kinds of fractures when involved in an accident. Broken bones can be serious for children because their physical development is incomplete.
Sometimes when a child is in an accident, there can be damage to the growth plates at the end of the bone. When that happens, if the growth plate doesn’t properly heal it can cause the bone to grow abnormally or more slowly than others, resulting in the need for surgery or a potential lifelong disability. When a growth plate is damaged, the consequences may not be seen until the child has grown enough that the damage becomes evident.
Bone fractures commonly seen in children include:
- Greenstick Fractures — When a bone partly bends and partly breaks
- Torus Fractures — When a bone twists or buckles but does not completely break
- Bend Fractures — When a bone bends but does not break
- Complete Fractures — When the bone breaks all the way through
What Compensation Can a Child Recover After an Injury?
When a child is injured because of someone else’s negligence, they are entitled to seek compensation for both the immediate and long-term consequences of their injuries. Recoverable damages may include:
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Medical expenses: Coverage for all medical treatment related to the injury, including emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up appointments, therapy, and future anticipated medical costs.
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Pain and suffering: Children may experience significant physical pain and emotional distress after an accident. Compensation can reflect both the immediate and long-term impact on their well-being.
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Loss of enjoyment of life: If the injury prevents your child from participating in sports, hobbies, or activities they once loved, they may be compensated for the loss of these experiences.
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Permanent disability or disfigurement: In cases involving severe injuries such as brain damage, paralysis, or scarring, additional compensation may be awarded for permanent impairments.
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Educational impact: If the injury disrupts your child’s ability to attend school or requires special accommodations, compensation may address these educational setbacks.
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Future earning capacity: If the injury could impact your child’s ability to work in the future, a claim can include damages for loss of future income.
An experienced Chicago child injury lawyer can help calculate the full extent of your child’s damages, ensuring you do not settle for less than what your child truly deserves.
Filing a Claim or Lawsuit on Behalf of Your Child
In Illinois, minors cannot file lawsuits on their own. Instead, a parent or legal guardian must file a personal injury claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured child. This legal process ensures that your child’s rights are protected and that any compensation awarded is used appropriately for their benefit.
When filing a claim, the parent or guardian becomes the child’s “next friend” or legal representative. A settlement involving a minor often must be approved by the court to ensure it is in the child’s best interests. Funds from a settlement or jury award may be held in a trust or structured settlement until the child reaches adulthood, depending on the size of the recovery.
The legal process can be complex, involving strict deadlines and procedural requirements. That’s why it is crucial to have a knowledgeable child accident attorney in Chicago guide you through each step.
The Importance of Hiring a Skilled Child Injury Lawyer
Child injury cases require specialized knowledge and sensitivity. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, even in vulnerable children cases. Having an experienced Chicago child injury lawyer on your side ensures you have a strong advocate fighting for your child’s future.
A lawyer can:
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Conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the injury
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Identify all responsible parties and insurance policies
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Gather critical evidence and expert testimony
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Accurately calculate all current and future damages
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Handle negotiations with insurance companies
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File a lawsuit and represent your child in court if necessary
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we understand how devastating a child’s injury can be. We are committed to securing your child’s full compensation to heal, thrive, and move forward.
How a Child Injury Lawyer in Chicago, IL Can Help
You may have a claim for compensation under Illinois law if your child’s injuries happened through someone else’s fault — whether it was a driver who caused a crash that injured your child, or a neighbor setting off illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July that led to your child being burned.
An experienced Chicago child injury lawyer can discuss with you the circumstances of your child’s injury and help identify the legally responsible party. An attorney can help you with making a claim for compensation of your child’s medical costs and other damages, negotiate an insurance settlement, or file a lawsuit and try the case if necessary.
Schedule a free consultation with our Chicago injury lawyers to explore your legal options and fight for the compensation your child deserves.
