Infants and children can often be involved in accidents. This can be due to their inquisitive nature; the desire to test everything they find. On some occasions, an accident may lead to an injury. You may be able to make a compensation claim on behalf of your child.

Common accidents include

  • Defective playground equipment
  • Poorly protected building sites
  • Faulty toys
  • Accidents at school
  • Car accidents involving children

The implications an injury may have on a child may not be obvious from the outset. Sometimes it is wise to delay claiming compensation straight away, to fully investigate the injured child and monitor their development over time.

This is because there is only one opportunity to settle a child accident claim- if further problems arise in future it cannot be opened again.

Child Accidents and the law

People under the age of 18 who cannot deal with their own compensation claims, due to not having legal capacity, a Litigation Friend must be appointed to act on their behalf.  A litigation Friend is usually a parent.

The personal injury claim is mostly the same process for children as it is for adults. However there are some differences when it comes to the limit for bringing claims. If the injured party was under the age of 18 when the accident happened, any claim must be pursued before their 21st birthday failing which they will be statute barred and unable to claim.

Children and Road Traffic Injuries

As children grow and their world extends, they can be exposed to busy roads and hazards. Some children play and live on busy roads- making them particularly vulnerable to road traffic collisions. The result of this is millions of disabling injuries, sometimes fatal each year.

Most common non-fatal injuries include head injuries, fractured limbs, and multiple injuries sustained.  Not only will road traffic accidents cause physical injuries, they can cause mental health problems later in life. Many involved in road traffic accidents go on to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. It can also have a profound psychological effect on children, if a child is orphaned as result of a car crash.

How we can help

We at Ison Harrison have been acting for clients for over 25 years. We take instructions from over 2000 people who’ve been injured each year.

Our personal injury solicitors support injury victims in and around Leeds, but increasingly providing advice to people from across England and Wales

Call 0113 284 5000  or alternatively email tracey.stringer@isonharrison.co.uk for free legal advice.

Share this...