As a parent, few things are more terrifying than learning that your child has been hurt. Bruises and scrapes are hard enough to handle- when someone else’s negligence has caused burns, broken bones, or even a traumatic brain injury, it can feel like your world has come crashing down.
If your child was injured in an accident in Little Rock, let us help. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we will aggressively pursue the money your family needs to cover medical expenses, long-term care, and other losses. Whether it’s an accident at school, on the playground, during sports activities, or involving a motor vehicle, our Little Rock child injury lawyers are committed to ensuring the best interests of your child. Call us today for a free consultation and let us be your advocate during the days ahead.
Why Hire the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers For Your Child’s Injury Case?
When the stakes are this high, you need a team that is not only accomplished in personal injury law but also treats your family with compassion and empathy. Here’s why the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers in Little Rock stands out as the right choice to handle your child’s case.
- Extensive Experience: With years of experience in Arkansas child injury law, our attorneys understand the challenges that these cases present. They know the law inside out and how to get the best results for your child.
- Personalized Attention: Alan LeVar and his team provide personalized attention from start to finish. We take the time to listen, ask questions, and tailor our legal strategy to your child’s particular needs and circumstances.
- Detailed Approach: From medical expenses to emotional distress, we look at the full picture. We evaluate the injury’s impact on your child’s life and strive to obtain a settlement that reflects those damages.
- Compassionate Representation: Child injury cases are emotional and stressful. We understand this and approach each case with the empathy and sensitivity it deserves.
- Proven Track Record: With a history of successful injury settlements, we have demonstrated our ability to achieve favorable outcomes. Our track record speaks volumes about our determination and commitment.
- No Upfront Costs: We operate on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
When it comes to something as vital and personal as your child’s well-being and future, choosing the right legal team makes all the difference. By entrusting us with your case, you’re not just hiring a lawyer; you’re gaining a committed advocate who will stand by you and fight for what’s right for your child.
Common Child Injuries
With their energy and curiosity, children often encounter risks and dangers that can lead to accidents, injuries, and life-altering consequences.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Car Accidents: Children can be victims of car accidents as passengers, pedestrians, or even cyclists. These collisions can result from distracted driving, drunk driving, or failure to obey traffic laws.
- Bicycle Accidents: Whether it’s a collision with a motor vehicle or a fall caused by road conditions, bicycle accidents can lead to serious injuries. Helmets and proper safety gear can help, but they don’t always prevent harm.
- School Bus Accidents: School buses are generally safe, but accidents can and do occur. These may result from driver error, poor bus maintenance, or other drivers’ negligence.
School Injuries
- Bullying Incidents: Emotional and physical harm from bullying can have lasting impacts on a child’s well-being. Schools have a duty to prevent and address bullying, and failure to do so may lead to legal liability.
- Improper Supervision Injuries can occur when teachers or school staff fail to adequately supervise children. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or during school events, proper oversight is crucial to preventing avoidable injuries.
Playgrounds
- Equipment Malfunctions: Faulty or poorly maintained playground equipment can cause severe injuries. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure children’s safety.
- Lack of Proper Safety Measures: Inadequate surfacing, lack of guardrails, and other safety shortcomings can lead to preventable accidents on playgrounds.
Sports
- Coaching Negligence: Coaches have a responsibility to train and supervise young athletes safely. Inappropriate training methods or ignoring safety protocols can lead to serious injuries.
- Lack of Safety Equipment: Proper protective gear is vital in sports. A failure to provide or enforce the use of necessary safety equipment can result in avoidable injuries.
Dog Bites
- Uncontrolled Dogs: When dogs are not properly controlled or supervised, they can pose a serious threat to children. Whether due to inadequate training, failure to use a leash or lack of oversight by the owner, uncontrolled dogs can lead to unexpected and severe bites.
- Lack of Proper Safety Measures: Lack of proper fencing, signage, or other safety measures can lead to a child being bitten by a dog. Responsible ownership and adherence to local regulations are essential to ensure children’s safety around dogs.
Child injuries are deeply concerning and often preventable. When they do occur, knowing your legal rights can make a significant difference. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we believe your child’s well-being and future are worth fighting for and will seek maximum compensation for your family.
What to Do After Your Child Has Been Injured
When your child suffers an injury, it’s a frightening experience. Emotions run high and it can be hard to think clearly. However, taking the right steps can make a significant difference in your child’s recovery and any potential legal action.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your child’s health is the top priority. Call emergency services if needed or take your child to the nearest medical facility. Prompt medical care can prevent further complications and provide essential documentation if legal action is required.
- Document the Injury: If possible, take photographs of the injury, the scene of the accident, and any other relevant details. These records can be invaluable in a legal context.
- Report the Injury: If the injury occurred at school, on a playground, or in any other supervised environment, notify the responsible parties immediately. Make sure to obtain a copy of any incident report.
- Gather Witness Information: If there were any witnesses to the incident, try to get their contact information. They may be needed to provide statements or testimony later.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep any physical evidence related to the injury, such as damaged clothing or faulty equipment. Store them in a safe place, as they may be needed for investigation or legal proceedings.
- Consult with an Arkansas Child Injury Lawyer: If you believe someone’s negligence or intentional act caused the accident, consult with a child injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies: If you are approached by an insurance company representing the other party, refer them to your lawyer. They may attempt to minimize their liability or persuade you to settle for less than your child deserves.
The actions you take immediately after your child’s injury can have a profound impact on both their recovery and a future claim. By following these steps, you help ensure your child receives proper care and that you are well-positioned to seek justice and compensation.
Compensation in a Child Injury Case
In a child injury case, various types of compensation can be pursued to cover the various impacts of the injury: medical, psychological, and financial. Below is an overview of the economic and non-economic damages that may be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit.
- Medical Expenses: Medical bills involve costs such as treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, and emergency care. They also include ongoing medical needs such as rehabilitation, therapy, and prescription medications. These costs can quickly add up, and compensation is vital to ensure that the child receives the necessary medical attention without financial strain on the family.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and suffering due to an injury are deeply personal and often lasting. Compensation for pain and suffering takes into account both the intensity and the duration of the pain, recognizing the child’s unique experience and the profound impact it may have on their life.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: An injury can greatly diminish a child’s ability to enjoy life, restricting them from participating in favorite activities, hobbies, and social interactions. Compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life seeks to quantify this intangible but substantial loss.
- Emotional Distress: The emotional trauma inflicted on a child can have a lasting impact on their mental health. The injury might cause anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges that require therapy and counseling.
The goal of pursuing compensation is to secure a settlement that truly reflects the child’s needs, both immediate and future. An Arkansas child injury lawyer can advocate for your child’s rights and obtain a settlement that covers all aspects of their recovery and well-being.
FAQs
What is My Child’s Injury Case Worth?
The value of a child’s injury case is determined by many factors. Unlike adult injury claims, child cases often require consideration of long-term effects and needs. Here’s an insight into what goes into calculating their settlements.
- Severity of the Injury: The more serious and long-lasting the injury, the higher the potential settlement. Permanent disabilities, disfigurements, or life-altering conditions often result in higher compensation due to the profound impact on the child’s life.
- Liability and Fault: Determining who is at fault and to what extent they are responsible for the injury can significantly influence the settlement. If there’s clear negligence or intentional wrongdoing, it might increase the value of the case.
- Age and Life Impact: The child’s age and how the injury affects their future development, education, and potential career opportunities will be considered. An injury that alters the entire course of a child’s life is likely to result in a higher settlement.
- Emotional and Psychological Impact: Traumatic injuries that require ongoing mental health treatment may increase the value of a settlement.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The available insurance coverage from the responsible party’s provider might set a ceiling on the possible settlement.
An Arkansas child injury attorney can help you understand these factors and achieve a fair and appropriate settlement.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Claim?
In Arkansas, personal injury claims typically have a three-year statute of limitations. This means that barring a few exceptions, a lawsuit must be initiated within three years from the date of the accident.
However, for those under the age of 18, the rules are different. The statute of limitations is tolled, or essentially paused until the minor reaches 18 years of age. This exception grants parents or guardians a more extended window to file a claim on behalf of the child.
While this extension provides some flexibility, it’s vital to remember that the strength of your case can diminish over time. As witnesses’ memories fade and evidence becomes more challenging to gather, the case may become more difficult to prove. Therefore, it is advisable to schedule a free consultation with a child injury lawyer in Little Rock as soon as possible.
Get a Free Consultation With Our Child Injury Lawyers in Little Rock
Child injuries resulting from negligence, accidents, or lack of proper safety measures are tragic and often life-changing events for both the child and their family. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we stand ready to support and advocate for you, fighting to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable. We operate on a contingency basis, ensuring that you pay nothing unless we win your case.
By choosing the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers to handle your child’s injury case, you are taking an essential step toward justice and recovery. Let us be your committed advocates in the days ahead, and help you navigate the legal process with empathy, diligence, and skill. Contact us today to begin the journey toward healing.
