California Child Injury Attorney

A child suffering from a catastrophic injury can damage a family entirely. Many children experience great pain and suffering from the incident and may be affected for years. Many families are confused about whether or not their child has a case though. When you speak to a California child injury attorney they can offer you legal advice on your child’s accident case.

Common child injury claims are:

1. Defective products: The Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that 251,700 toy-related injuries took place in one year. The types of injuries that were caused by these toys included fractures, sprains, cuts, and contusions. Reports have also concluded that choking hazards are one of the most frequent incidents that take place amongst children ages four and younger. The Compartment wrote, “Any toy that is small enough to fit through a 1-1/4-inch circle or is smaller than 2-1/4 inches long is unsafe for children under 4 years old.” Children’s defective products are not always associated with toys. At times, they are related to products that were intended to keep the child safe such as flotation devices.
2. Car accidents: The stature and height of a child make them vulnerable to multiple catastrophic injuries in a vehicular collision. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concluded that 677 children lost their lives in car crashes. Taking precautions for keeping your kids safe in a motor vehicle is important. Experts say that parents should pay attention to the expirations of car seats, always put a seatbelt on their child when driving and never leave their child alone in a car, especially in hot weather. Parents or guardians who lose a child due to their own negligence can be charged with manslaughter or a family member can file a wrongful death claim against them.
3. Bicycle collisions: Stanford Children’s Health reported that in one year 254,000 children were injured in bicycle-related accidents. Each year over 100 children are killed in bike collisions as well. Multiple factors can cause a child to be injured in a bicycle accident. Some of these causes include a car rear-ending a bicycle, drivers turning right and into the bike lane, and also distracted driving. A parent should supervise small children who are still learning how to ride a bicycle. Parents should also make sure that their children have the proper safety gear such as a helmet when riding a bicycle.
4. Swimming pool accidents: According to the CPSC, in one year over 148 children drowned in swimming pools. California is one of the states with the most fatalities in the summer. Most of the victims who died from swimming pool accidents were ages 1-3. It only takes a few minutes for a child to lose their life when drowning. It can take 20 seconds or less for a toddler to drown. Experts suggest that if your child is still learning how to swim putting on a life vest won’t suffice. Be in the pool with them to ensure that they are safe in the water. Parents can take their children to swimming lessons as early as six months old.
5. School bus collisions: Children experience most school bus injuries are not when the bus is in route. Children are more likely to experience injuries by coming off and on a bus. Most children, when getting off the bus do not use the rails to retain a steady balance. Since the stairs of a bus are steep, then this can lead to a small child slipping and falling. Injuries that children can sustain when boarding the bus or coming off of a bus include sprains, broken bones, or, depending on the severity of the fall, brain damage.
6. Playground injuries: The number one cause of playground injuries is falling. To prevent serious injuries such as head injuries, playgrounds are suggested to have surfaces that can cushion a fall. Ground surfaces like mulch, wood chips, or sand make for a safer environment for a playground. There are instances when a city has been negligent or careless with playground equipment. Public parks should ensure that all playground equipment is well-maintained and safe to play on. For example, if a child falls off of a swing due to the chains being rusted and weak, the child’s parents can file an injury claim on their behalf.
7. Medical Malpractice: Parents take their children to doctors trusting that their children will receive the best medical care and treatment. There are times that when a child is treated for an ailment though, that child’s condition worsens. Pediatric malpractice involves a child suffering from injuries or losing their life due to the negligence of medical care professional. Medical care professionals do not only include doctors but also can include nurses. One of the most common types of medical malpractice claims is doctors misdiagnosing appendicitis in young girls for a urinary tract infection. If you believe that your child has been wronged due to misdiagnoses, speak to a child injury lawyer for information.
8. Dog bites: Dogs can be very unpredictable at times, especially if the dog has not been trained or socialized at a young age. Over 300,000 children are admitted to the emergency room with severe dog bite injuries. Children who suffer from animal attacks can be left with serious scarring, and dismembered limbs and if the child is in infancy can even be killed by a dog. Two-year-olds are the biggest demographic to be attacked by dogs. Animals are less likely to be aggressive toward a child if accompanied by an adult. Do not leave a child unsupervised with a dog it is not familiar with.
9. Poisoning accidents: Poisoning among children ages 1-3 years old is very common. Children who are unsupervised can get into cabinets and can either ingest or spray themselves accidentally with a toxic chemical. Sometimes children are poisoned due to unknown substances being in the air. Common chemicals children are poisoned by are pain-relieving medications, paint primers, cleaning products such as bleach, and other household products such as pesticides or even essential oils. If you believe your child has been poisoned, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms that your child has been poisoned include vomiting, fainting, or if they are expressing severe pain in their abdomen.