There is nothing worse than when a child is injured. Even after a parent does everything in their power to protect their loved ones, accidents can happen. And when kids get injured it’s that much worse.
As of 2017, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and fourteen. Falls and striking an object are the top two causes of serious injuries in kids, with vehicle traffic crashes, poisoning, and cuts as additional significant causes of emergency room visits.
If your kid was injured, a child accident lawyer can help. The child injury lawyers at Schlacter Law understand how important our children are and will work tirelessly to ensure that they get the best care possible. When medical bills and other costs take a financial toll on a family, a Fort Lauderdale child injury lawyer can assist in getting compensation to ensure that the best care is covered.
There are numerous causes of child injuries. Some of these causes include:
Slips and falls Cuts and abrasions Breaks and sprains Poisoning Suffocation and choking hazards Burns Motor vehicle accidents Bicycle accidents DrowningsSlips and falls remain the number one cause of injuries to children. As kids grow it’s easy for them to lose balance or fail to accurately judge heights and distances, making them prone to falling over or slipping on slick surfaces. Injuries can range from minor scrapes to far more serious injuries including broken bones, head injuries, and paralysis. More than 8,000 children require emergency care each day for injuries that result from a fall.
Cuts and abrasions are common injuries for kids. Falling off a bicycle or slipping on concrete can cause injuries that, while normally are quite minor, can cause serious harm if left untreated. An open wound requires first aid and when a child gets a cut, it is important to clean the wound and cover it with a bandage. Failing to do so can lead to infections and more serious complications.
Broken bones and sprains are frequent injuries for children, especially as they get older. Friendly games of soccer and football, and organized team sports at school leave kids open for injuries that require medical care. Luckily, broken bones and sprains can heal quickly with young kids, but if left untreated, a break or sprain could heal improperly and cause complications later on.
Poisons are extremely dangerous to kids. Chemicals that aren’t carefully stored can create a seriously dangerous condition, requiring immediate medical assistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 300 kids are treated for poisonings each day. Even everyday substances, such as perfume, shampoo, and rubbing alcohol can seriously injure a child. Additionally, accidentally ingesting prescription drugs and alcohol is a cause for serious injuries and medical care in Fort Lauderdale.
Choking hazards are common hazards for younger kids. As anyone with a child knows, young kids are always putting things in their mouths. In addition to ingesting something poisonous, these objects can lodge themselves in the child’s airway and prevent them from breathing. Objects such as batteries, coins, and even foods such as grapes and peanut butter, can prevent a child from breathing, requiring immediate medical assistance. Strangulation is also possible when young kids play with strings and cords and get them wrapped around their necks.
Burns are very common with children, including sunburns, scalding water from falling pots and overly hot baths, as well as ovens and stoves, and even fireplaces. Certain lighting can also burn a kid if they are unaware of the danger that these objects present. It is important never to leave things cooking in a kitchen unattended and to be sure to monitor the temperature of a bath’s water before letting a child get into a bathtub.
Vehicle accidents account for a large number of injuries that children sustain each year. This includes being occupants in an automobile when it is involved in an accident, as well as bicycling accidents where a child on a bicycle is hit by a car or pedestrian accidents where children are hit by a car while crossing a street or playing too close to a road. Vehicle accidents can typically result in serious injuries that not only require immediate medical assistance, but these injuries often require long-term care and rehabilitation.
Children love to ride on their bicycles. Unfortunately, their small size and inexperience make them prone to accidents. While riding alongside automobiles in Fort Lauderdale it is all too easy for a young rider to fall over or swerve into oncoming traffic. Additionally, crossing roads can be dangerous if a child fails to cross at a crosswalk and a vehicle isn’t expecting a child in the road. Even when a kid properly crosses a street, their small stature can make it difficult for drivers to see a bicycle until it’s too late.
Having a child drown can be one of the scariest experiences a parent might encounter. With the warm weather in Florida, more and more households have swimming pools, and with thousands of miles of coastline, there are numerous beaches and lakes for children to cool off. Without proper supervision, kids in Fort Lauderdale can often find themselves in water that is too deep for their skill level. Unfortunately, Florida has more child drownings than any other state.
When a child is injured and medical care is required, these costs can cause a serious financial strain on a family. From ambulance costs and emergency room expenses to doctor’s visits and rehabilitation, the costs of medical care are increasing year over year. Typically, a parent is expected to pay for these costs out of pocket, and hope that they are covered by the party responsible for the injury. And when a parent doesn’t have adequate medical insurance to cover the costs of medical care, these bills can be exorbitant.
A child injury attorney can help. When a child is injured there are many avenues for seeking compensation for their injuries. This might include filing a claim with a homeowner’s insurance policy or filing a claim with a vehicle driver’s insurance company. Additionally, when a child is injured due to someone’s negligence, it may be possible to file a lawsuit in court to seek compensation for physical injuries, as well as pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Seeing your child injured is one of the most heartbreaking feelings a parent can experience. Here at Schlacter Law, we understand that our kids are precious, and need to be protected. When injuries happen, a Fort Lauderdale child injury lawyer can help get the compensation you need to help get your child back to being a child.
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