When Your Child is Hurt, Everything Changes
One moment, your child is laughing and playing. The next, they’re injured — maybe in a playground accident, a crash on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, or while walking home from school. Your heart stops. Your mind races with questions: Are they okay? How bad is it? Who’s responsible? When it comes to child injury claims, it’s not just about bumps and bruises. It’s about protecting your child’s health, their happiness, and their future.
If someone else’s negligence caused them harm, you have the right to seek justice through a child injury claim. At the Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, we help Norcross parents navigate this difficult journey, making sure their children get the care, compensation, and protection that they deserve.
Why Child Injury Claims Require Extra Care
Child injury claims aren’t the same as adult personal injury cases. Children are still growing and developing, which means that their injuries can have long-term consequences that may not be obvious right away. A broken bone could affect growth plates, or a head injury could impact learning for years to come.
That’s why it’s critical for parents to take child injury cases seriously from day one. These claims require not only medical documentation, but also careful legal planning to ensure the child’s needs — now and in the future — are fully covered.
Common Causes of Child Injuries in Norcross, GA
While childhood injuries can happen anywhere, some situations are more common in Norcross and surrounding areas:
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Car accidents or pedestrian injuries as children are walking, biking, or riding in a car
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Playground accidents caused by faulty equipment or poor supervision at schools and public parks
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Daycare negligence that may include failure to monitor children, unsafe environments, or lack of proper safety measures
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Dangerous products and toys that are defective and cause choking, burns, or other injuries
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School sports injuries caused by poorly maintained fields or lack of safety gear
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Medical malpractice involving children that may include misdiagnoses, birth injuries, or improper treatment
Each situation is unique, but all can be grounds for a child injury claim if negligence played a role.
Understanding Child Injury Claims
A child injury claim is a legal process that allows parents or guardians to seek compensation on behalf of a minor who’s been injured due to someone else’s negligence.
The goal is to recover damages for:
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Medical bills (past and future).
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Therapy or rehabilitation costs.
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Pain and suffering.
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Loss of enjoyment of life.
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Future loss of earning capacity (in severe cases).
These claims are guided by specific Georgia laws that account for a child’s unique needs and long-term well-being.
Special Legal Considerations for Minors
Georgia law treats child injury cases differently than adult cases. Some key factors to keep in mind are:
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The Statute of Limitations. In most cases, the time limit to take legal action doesn’t start counting down until a child turns 18. That said, waiting too long can still hurt your case, as immediate action helps preserve evidence.
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Court Approval of Settlements. If a settlement for a minor is over $25,000, it must be reviewed and approved by a Georgia court to ensure it’s in the child’s best interest.
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The Protection of Settlement Funds. In many cases, funds are placed in a trust or structured settlement to ensure that they are used for the child’s needs.
The Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, Jr., PC, is experienced in navigating these legal requirements so families can focus on their child’s recovery.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in Child Injury Cases?
A successful child injury claim can recover compensation for:
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Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, and follow-up care.
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Future medical costs like long-term care, physical therapy, and counseling.
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Pain and suffering, which involves the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the injury.
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Emotional distress, including anxiety, PTSD, and the impact of missing school or activities.
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Parental damages, which are the costs for transportation to medical visits, as well as lost wages from missing work to care for a child.
Steps Parents Should Take After a Child’s Injury
If your child is hurt in Norcross, take these steps to protect them and your potential child injury claim.
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention. Even if the injury seems minor, get a professional evaluation.
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Document Everything. Take photos of injuries, the accident scene, and any unsafe conditions.
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Keep All Medical Records and Bills. Detailed documentation is key in proving damages.
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Avoid Dealing with Insurance Alone. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts.
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Contact a Norcross Child Injury Lawyer Early. An attorney can handle communication, investigate, and build your case.
How a Norcross Child Injury Lawyer Can Help
If your child becomes injured, you’ll already have emotional stress, medical appointments, and day-to-day care to worry about. Our job is to take the legal burden off of your shoulders.
We’ll do this by investigating the cause of the injury, as well as gather evidence. We’ll consult medical experts to evaluate any long-term effects. Next, we’ll negotiate with insurance companies to fight for full and fair compensation, and handle court approval of settlements. Then, we’ll protect settlement funds so that they benefit your child over the long term.
Our team has successfully represented families in Norcross and beyond with securing the resources they need to help their children heal and thrive.
FAQs – Child Injury Claims in Georgia
Q: How long do I have to file a claim for my child?
A: Generally, the statute of limitations doesn’t start until your child turns 18, but it’s best to act immediately to preserve evidence.
Q: What if my child was partially at fault?
A: Georgia’s comparative negligence laws may still allow recovery if your child was less than 50% at fault.
Q: Can I settle my child’s case without court approval?
A: Possibly, if the settlement is under $25,000. Settlements for minors over that amount must be approved by a judge to ensure fairness.
Q: How is settlement money managed?
A: Funds are often placed in a trust or structured settlement to protect the child’s interests.
Protecting Your Child’s Future After an Injury
As a parent, your first instinct is to protect your child from harm. When an injury does occur — and it’s caused by someone else’s negligence — you’ll also want to protect their legal and financial future.
The Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo, Jr., PC, is here to help. We offer free consultations to families in Norcross, GA, and work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win. We’ll fight to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation your child deserves.
To schedule an appointment and learn how we can help protect your child’s future after an injury, contact us online or call us directly at (770) 888-8901.
