Carrolton Child Injury Lawyer
Nothing frightens parents more than the thought of their children suffering a serious injury.
When that injury was due to the negligence of someone else and could have been avoided, that’s even worse. That’s why the state of Texas has strict laws protecting children: there are severe penalties for people whose negligent behavior leads to a child being harmed.
The first thing you need to know about Texas child injury laws is that when minors (children under 18) are involved in an accident or are the victims of negligence or abuse, they are not able to initiate civil proceedings themselves, because as minors they have no legal standing to sue someone. Instead, they need an adult (normally a parent) who acts as a “next friend.” A next friend is legally defined as a person in whose name a minor's lawsuit is brought, or who appears in court to represent the minor's interests.
Carrollton is a city where over 50% of households consist of married couples and families. More than 20,000 children call Carrollton home, and the city hosts special events for parents and children. Carrollton has been designated a Crown City for its efforts to develop a model suburb for Dallas, but even family-friendly cities are not immune to children getting hurt.
Minors and Injuries
There are many different causes for accidents involving minors. In fact, unintentional injuries - including those caused by drowning, burns, falls, poisoning, or motor vehicle accidents - are the leading cause of child mortality in the United States. According to average statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, more than 12,000 minors die from accidents and more than 9 million are treated in emergency rooms for non-lethal injuries every year. Looking over the CDC report, certain statistics stand out:
- Falls cause one-third of all emergency room visits for children under the age of 14.
- Bicycle-related accidents cause 250,000 hospitalizations for children under the age of 14, with traumatic brain damage being the most common injury.
- Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.
- Suffocation or airway obstruction is the leading cause of death among infants under the age of 1.
In addition, other common causes of injuries to children include burns, firearms, choking, poisoning, defective products, dog bites, sexual abuse, car accidents, playground injuries, fireworks injuries, sports-related injuries, and day care accidents or mistreatment.
The above list should give pause to any parent. While it is impossible to completely protect your child from injury, it is certainly wise to take all reasonable precautions. But if the unthinkable should happen to your family, it’s important to hold those responsible accountable.
Negligence Causing Injuries to Children
Negligence can take many forms. A car accident might be the result of driver distraction, or it might be the fault of a defective part or poorly designed intersection. For young children, faulty car seats are a common cause of injury.
Falls can take place because of poorly maintained guardrails, slippery floors, or sidewalks that haven’t been properly or promptly cleaned. Burns can occur because of defective electrical equipment. Toy manufacturers might fail to label their products with safety information that could have prevented an accident.
One of the worst nightmares a parent can experience is an accident or abuse that takes place at a school or day care center. We have an expectation of trust when we leave our children with a caregiver, and it can be devastating when that trust is broken. If your child is showing signs of abuse or mistreatment at a school or day care facility, it is imperative that you seek out help immediately.
Carrolton Child Injury Attorney for You
If your child has been injured due to someone else's negligence or intentional act of abuse, Carrolton injury attorney Dina K. Steele of Steele Law, P.C., will provide compassionate and confidential legal representation on behalf of your family. Your actions might not only ensure that your family is properly compensated for your child’s injuries, but they might also prevent someone else’s child from being hurt. Call (214) 333-9393 today to schedule a free consultation.
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