Jersey City Child Injury Lawyer
Children are vulnerable to injuries. They often take risks because their developing brains are not fully capable of assessing danger, and their small size can make some situations more dangerous. Firearms are now the leading cause of injuries among children, followed closely by car accidents and drowning. If an adult is supervising the child and is found to be at fault, it is time to contact an attorney.
Adults supervising children must stay vigilant and keep them safe. Failing to do so, whether through action or omission, can result in injury and even death. This could be grounds for a negligence lawsuit in which the family may be awarded compensation. Your child could suffer injuries at daycare, in a car accident caused by a reckless driver, from a defective toy, because a friend forgot to lock up a firearm, or due to substandard medical care. In such cases, a Jersey City child injury lawyer can outline a strong case for compensation.
How Do Caregivers Behave Negligently?
Caretakers must act as a reasonable person would in the same situation. This duty of care is meant to ensure that your child is safe under this adult’s supervision. When caretakers fall below this standard and their actions cause an accident that injures your child, it is possible to establish negligence.
If an attorney files a negligence lawsuit and proves the necessary elements, the defendant will be responsible for your family’s losses. These losses may include tangible costs such as medical expenses and lost future wages if your child is permanently harmed, as well as emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of the enjoyment of life. Caregivers who may be liable for negligence if they cause injury to children include:
- Nannies and babysitters
- Daycare workers
- Teachers
- Coaches
- Pastors and youth ministers
- Lifeguards
When negligence leads to the worst possible outcome and a child dies, your family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if the circumstances of your child’s accident support it. Contact a personal injury attorney in Jersey City who provides compassionate representation when a child has been harmed.
Children Harmed by Medical Malpractice
Medical negligence, known as malpractice, occurs when a health care professional’s actions fall below acceptable standards. The earliest child injuries happen at birth when a physician fails to diagnose conditions such as hypoxia (lack of oxygen to an infant’s brain), delays a C-section, neglects to test or monitor a pregnant woman whose baby has serious health issues, or uses forceps or a vacuum extractor too aggressively, causing harm to the child. Common injuries from such negligence include brain damage, disfigurement of the head and torso, cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, and other physical abnormalities. A knowledgeable Jersey City lawyer will negotiate with the physician’s insurer but can also pursue a personal injury lawsuit when a child suffers injuries due to medical malpractice.
Additional Dangers Children Face
Under the Attractive Nuisance Doctrine, property owners must safeguard children who trespass onto their property because of something tempting, such as a swimming pool. Owners should secure their property, such as by installing fences and gates, if it is reasonable to do so.
Children are also harmed when companies design or manufacture defective products or neglect to warn consumers about the dangers they pose. Some hazardous products that cause injuries to children include flammable sleepwear, toys with small parts that children can choke on, and defective cribs and car seats. Our Jersey City attorneys advocate for injured children who cannot defend themselves.
Contact a Child Injury Attorney in Jersey City for Help
Children are vulnerable from birth through adulthood, and caretakers owe them protection. If an adult acts negligently or recklessly and a child suffers harm, that caretaker is responsible for compensating the family for their financial and emotional losses.
If your child gets hurt, an adult may be at fault due to careless oversight, dangerous products, medical negligence, or failure to secure an attractive nuisance. Contact our law firm today. An experienced Jersey City child injury lawyer will fight for the compensation your family deserves.