Most children are inquisitive, eager to explore, and act impulsively, which makes them vulnerable to accidents. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children from one to 19 years old.
The most heartbreaking injuries happen when a person with authority over the child harms them, generally by acting in a negligent way. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys at Kaveny + Kroll are here for you and your family when an accident happens to your child, and you feel helpless. Our Chicago child injury lawyer holds parties that inflict injuries on little ones and teens accountable, so call us today to discuss your situation.
Examples of Negligent Child Injuries
Families are entitled to compensation if someone with a duty to behave responsibly toward their child falls below that standard, causing an accident that injures them. Some actionable child injuries include:
- Distracted daycare workers who fail to remove a child from a dangerous situation before they are hurt
- Physicians who commit medical malpractice by failing to perform a cesarean section before the baby is deprived of oxygen or who misuse forceps and vacuums at birth, causing injuries
- Parents who fail to store and lock up their firearms safely, leaving them for a child to find and discharge at another child
- Toy manufacturers that market products with small parts that children can choke on, flammable sleepwear, or any other defective product
- Homeowners who fail to safeguard their property when it is foreseeable that children would be drawn to something on it, such as swimming pools and trampolines
Your family will incur medical expenses, and you can lose wages if you must care for your child full time after a devastating accident. The emotional toll is also a compensable loss that our attorneys seek. When our Chicago lawyers partner with you after a child injury, we dedicate our 65-plus years of experience to your unique needs—we are not about cases; we are about your case.
Unsafe Premises
Property owners owe no duty to adult trespassers. However, under state law, they are required to take reasonable precautions where it is likely that children will be enticed to trespass, such as to swim in a backyard pool.
The Illinois Supreme Court revised the old attractive nuisance doctrine with the case of Kahn v. James Burton Co., 5 Ill. 2d 614 (1955). This case aligns the law more closely with other negligence cases because it focuses on the foreseeable harm to children rather than the lure of a dangerous condition.
Reasonable actions can include installing fences, locking buildings, and posting warning signs. You can discuss your case with a Chicago child injury attorney who has a proven track record of successfully litigating premises liability actions.
Defective and Hazardous Products
Manufacturers are required to offer products for sale that are safe to use as intended. Some products can be dangerous, but if using them is more beneficial than the danger they impose, warning labels are necessary. Some labels can designate the age appropriateness of toys and games, while others can warn of their toxicity or to keep them out of children’s reach.
Some products that have harmed children include:
- Toys with small, detachable parts
- Baby swings
- Cribs
- Car seats
- Flammable clothing
If a defective or hazardous product has injured your child, you can explore your legal options with a knowledgeable child injury lawyer in Chicago.
Get Help From a Chicago Child Injury Attorney
If your child was injured because of someone’s negligence, our mission is to collaborate with you by putting the personal in personal injury. Unlike large, impersonal law firms, we treat you like family while offering big firm experience and exceptional results.
We know you have questions, and we can answer them. For compassionate and dedicated legal advocacy, contact a Chicago child injury lawyer now.