New Port Richey Child Injury Attorney
Children are hurt in various accidents. Like adults, they can suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents or while riding a bicycle. At school, children can fall off playground equipment or be attacked by another child. Call Wendy Doyle-Palumbo to discuss any injury your child has suffered. Attorney Doyle-Palumbo understands the complicated legal rules when it comes to child injuries. We can negotiate a settlement with the defendant or even file a lawsuit against the school district, if necessary. Schedule your free, private consultation with a New Port Richey child injury attorney to learn more about legal options when a child is hurt.
The Rules Regarding Child Injury Settlements in Florida
Children cannot form their own contracts, nor can they file a lawsuit. For this reason, the courts are heavily involved in child injury cases. Different rules apply to personal injury cases when a child is hurt.
For example, the two-year statute of limitations might not apply. The statute is usually paused until a child reaches adulthood. That gives your child more time to bring a legal claim.
However, some parents want a settlement now. You probably paid for medical care, which can be reimbursed out of a settlement. Many parents also quit a job to stay at home as their child heals.
Families might need judicial approval before they receive a settlement:
- Settlements up to $15,000. Parents usually don’t need judicial approval for settling a small personal injury claim.
- Settlements over $15,000. Parents or guardians must petition a court for approval. The court will review the terms to see if the settlement is in the child’s best interests and will reject a settlement if it is not.
- Settlement of $50,000 or more. The court usually requires appointment of a guardian ad litem. Funds must be placed in a restricted account so that they are properly managed for the child to access when they reach adulthood. Parents can usually receive reimbursement for economic expenses, but pain and suffering damages belong to the child.
Our firm can help parents with these cases. Ideally, we want to negotiate for the largest settlement possible. We can review your child’s injuries, including psychological or mental injuries. Many children are scarred by dog bites, car accidents, and playground falls. We demand fair compensation to account for all past, present, and future losses.
Contact Us for a Private Consultation
Parents are naturally upset when their child is injured in an accident. Helpfully, Florida law gives children many of the same rights as adults—including the right to hold a negligent defendant accountable.
Call our office. We can help if your child was injured in any type of accident, including injuries sustained in daycare, at amusement parks, or while on school trips. We have the skill to submit a proposed settlement for the court’s approval. Call to speak with our New Port Richey child injury lawyer about your child’s injuries and how we charge for our legal services. We have helped hundreds of people over the decades with their personal injury legal needs.