Has your child been hurt in an accident in Columbia, Missouri? If so, contact the Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at (573) 702-3285 for a free consultation. Our experienced Columbia child injury lawyers can help you pursue maximum compensation for all of your child’s injuries.
Our team is dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims, and we can help guide you and your family through this difficult time. We have recovered over $100 million in compensation to help victims after all types of devastating accidents. Reach out today and let us put our experience to work for you.
How Can Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Child Injury in Columbia, MO?
We understand the stress and anxiety that you and your family go through when a child has been hurt. We know that your child’s health is your top priority, and the details of a complex legal claim are the last thing you want to think about.
Thankfully, the team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can help take away some of the stress of the situation by handling every detail of your claim.
Let our experienced Columbia child injury lawyers help you by:
- Launching a thorough investigation into your child’s accident
- Identifying all potential defendants
- Assessing all available insurance coverage
- Answering all your questions
- Giving you sound legal advice
- Putting an accurate value on your child’s personal injury claim
- Using experts as needed to help prove your case
- Negotiating a top-dollar settlement
If your child has been hurt due to someone else’s actions in Columbia, MO, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and let us help you maximize your financial recovery.
Overview of Child Injuries
No one wants to think about their child getting injured. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that many children are injured every day in all types of accidents.
Some of the most common types of accidents that cause child injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- School and daycare accidents
- Playground accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Defective products
Even injuries that seem minor at first can become more serious over time. Getting medical care right away also helps create records that may support a future claim.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available for Child Injury Victims in Columbia, MO?
Missouri law allows children who are injured by someone else’s conduct to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages. This means that you can recover compensation for the financial losses resulting from your child’s injury as well as their pain and suffering.
Some common types of damages available in child injury cases include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care expenses
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages (if you missed work to care for your child)
- Future reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
These damages are meant to help your family handle both immediate costs and long-term impacts. A lawyer can also help estimate future needs so the claim reflects the full value of the harm.
Court Approval and Protecting a Child’s Settlement Funds
Most personal injury claims, including those involving children, settle without going to trial. However, things are a little more complex when a child is involved. When a child’s injury claim is settled, the court may have to approve the settlement to ensure it is in the child’s best interest, especially if the settlement amount is over $35,000.
Typically, the settlement proceeds will be placed into a special account and held until the child reaches adulthood. Proceeds may be used to pay for current expenses, such as medical bills and other injury-related costs. However, detailed records and receipts should be maintained in case verification is needed later of how the funds were used.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Child Injury in Missouri?
Missouri law gives most accident victims five years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit for damages. Missing this deadline can cause you to lose all your rights to recover compensation. However, the clock is paused when a child is involved. The clock does not start to run until the child reaches adulthood (usually 18).
This means that an injured child could have until their 23rd birthday to file a claim for damages. However, many parents file a claim on behalf of their child well before this deadline. Since these rules can get somewhat complex, you should always seek help from an experienced personal injury lawyer right away if your child has been hurt.
Contact Our Columbia Child Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hurt in an accident in Columbia, MO, you do not have to go through this difficult situation on your own. Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can help you determine all the damages that may be available as part of your child’s claim, and we can guide you through every step of the claims process.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia child injury attorney and let us get started helping you.
