Does a Child’s Age Matter in a Personal Injury Claim?

Parents do everything that they can to keep their children safe and protected from harm. Even the most doting parent, though, cannot be there every second of every day and as a result, are not completely able to fully keep their children from being harmed. When an accident does happen and a child is injured it may be possible to have their damages paid for by filing a personal injury claim.

Parents who believe that a negligent party caused their child’s injuries can learn more about the personal injury claim process with respect to children by meeting with an attorney knowledgeable in these legal matters. In Florida, the Tampa child injury attorneys at Fulgencio law are committed to helping victims protect their rights and get the compensation they need for the harm they had to endure. This includes both adults and children alike.

How Does the Age of a Child Impact a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?

When a child is not considered a legal adult or under the age of 18, it is the parent’s responsibility to take on the legal challenges on their behalf. This includes filing a Florida personal injury claim for them. Every state handles the tort system differently this includes the court’s involvement in a child’s personal injury case. In Florida, the court’s approval is not necessary for a parent to file a claim.

Because court approval is not needed in Florida, parents can start the personal injury claim process much sooner. This means parents have the right and ability to get in touch with a legal professional to help them get started. The Tampa personal injury attorneys at Fulgencio Law can assist parents of injured children through every step of the personal injury claim process from filing, to negotiations, through litigation in court if the claim goes that far.

A child’s injury accident could have been caused because of their own actions or that of another negligent party or even a combination of both. Given this, there are caveats. The youngest children are looked at differently under the law. 

Children younger than the age of six never assume liability for an accident happening. This is because the law views little children as not being mature enough to know the consequences of their actions. But, older children and teenagers should. In some cases, when the oldest children cause an injury accident to take place which is a common occurrence with car accidents, the parents may be responsible for the resulting damages.

Car accidents are the second leading cause of death in the teenage population. But even though novice, young drivers can often cause accidents, they can also be the victim of them. If your child was injured in a Florida car accident, consider speaking to the Tampa car accident attorney at Fulgencio Law to learn more about your legal options.

Speak with a Tampa Child Injury Attorney Today

Any amount of injury a child suffers can cause parents great distress. If injuries are severe, that agony can be overwhelming. The costs that come with treating those injuries can also be quite substantial. 

If your child was injured in an accident in Florida, call Fulgencio Law today to schedule a free consultation at (813) 463-0123.