Omaha Child Injury Lawyer | Child Injury Claims
Click For Free ConsultationLegally Reviewed By: Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner At Knowles Law Firm
A child’s curiosity is a wonderful thing to witness and guide as they grow up. It is an amazing thing to witness this type of innocence and view the world through their eyes as you raise your children. However, it is this innocence and curiosity that often contribute to serious accidents caused by others. Children often do not have the caution that adults exhibit and are therefore more trusting and adventurous than they should be in certain situations. If your child has been injured after an accident caused by negligent behavior or defective product, you may be entitled to receive compensation for their injuries.
Why Choose Our Omaha Child Injury Lawyers?
- Our lawyers at Knowles Law Firm have years of experience achieving settlements and jury verdicts for past clients.
- Our attorneys take the time to offer personalized, one-on-one attention to each client.
- Our child injury lawyers exclusively practice personal injury law. Our solitary focus on personal injury gives us in-depth knowledge.
- Our clients do not pay their Omaha child injury lawyers anything unless they obtain financial compensation for damages.
Types of Child Injuries
At Knowles Law Firm, we represent families in Omaha after many different types of accidents and injuries involving children. We handle each client on a case-by-case basis, tailoring our efforts to match their unique needs. We understand the laws that may apply to many common accident claims involving children. Injuries can occur to children after the following types of accidents or other issues:
- Car accidents
- Dog bites
- Daycare accidents
- Defective products
- Premises accidents
Car accidents are often the most common type of accident leading to child injuries. While an ordinary car accident can quickly turn severe for any person involved, children can be put further at risk especially if their car seat is defective. In these situations, a personal injury attorney can assist you in determining the appropriate percentages of negligence for the different parties.
Dog bite attacks unfortunately occur largely to small children. Children are very trusting, especially when it comes to animals, and often wander straight up to dogs who may have aggressive tendencies. While the dog owner is often held liable in Nebraska, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney after the attack occurs.
We drop our children off at daycare each day not because that is our ideal choice, but because it provides a safe location for our child while we are at work. However, this idealistic image comes crashing down after a severe accident occurs at the daycare facility. Daycare workers should be held responsible for accidents which occur while they are in charge of your child.
Unfortunately, defective products are far too common among children’s toys and accessories. It is a manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure dangerous products do not reach the stream of commerce. If your child received devastating injuries after playing with a toy in its intended use, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the product.
Another common cause of child injuries is dangerous premises. Accidental drowning, swimming pool accidents, animal attacks, slip and fall accidents, fires, floods, dangerous playgrounds, and structural collapses are all examples of premises-related accidents that can injure or kill children. A property owner may be liable for a child’s injury or death on a dangerous property.
Child Injury Statistics in the US
Tracking childhood injury statistics can highlight distressing patterns, such as which accidents most frequently cause catastrophic and fatal child injuries in Omaha. This could ultimately push for safety changes on an institutional level. At Knowles Law Firm, we keep up with the latest in child-related accidents and injuries throughout Nebraska. We believe knowledge can lend the power to prevent future child injuries and deaths.
- Accidents are the number one cause of death in children 14 years old and younger. Thousands of children die in preventable accidents annually. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
- In 2017, for every child who died in an accident, another 1,200 visited emergency departments for nonfatal injuries. Nonfatal injuries can include broken bones, concussions, lacerations, burns and back injuries. (Source: gov.)
- The leading causes of serious injuries for small children in Nebraska are falls, struck-by objects, environmental hazards, lacerations/puncture wounds, overexertion, poisoning and motor vehicle accidents.
Your child is not a statistic at Knowles Law Firm. We are interested in hearing the story behind the personal injury claim and get to know our clients personally. That way, we can custom-tailor the most effective legal strategy for each client. Regardless of the type of accident that recently injured your child in Omaha, contact us for a free claim evaluation.
Recovery After Child Injuries
As a parent of a child injured in an accident, you are entitled to bring a claim for compensation for any injuries sustained in the accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, your claim may include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitative care
- Future earnings
- Pain and suffering
Injuries which occur to young children are more likely to affect their growth and ability to fully develop, therefore having a profound effect on their future activities. A personal injury attorney will be able to better assist you in developing your personal injury claim for damages, as well as calculating out the full amount of damages.
Statute of Limitations for Child Injuries
A statute of limitations is an important law to know as an injured party or the parent of an injured child in Nebraska. In every state, statutes of limitations restrict a plaintiff’s ability to file after a mandated deadline. If you miss your statute of limitations, the courts in Douglas County will most likely bar your family from financial recovery. The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm can tell you your exact statute of limitations during a free initial consultation in Omaha. Then, we can help you file a claim efficiently and effectively.
In most personal injury claims in Nebraska, plaintiffs have a maximum of four years from the dates of their accidents to file claims. Auto accidents, dog bites, animal attacks, defective products, slip-and-fall accidents, and general personal injury claims all have four-year statutes of limitations in Nebraska. If you are filing a wrongful death claim, however, your family will only have two years from the date of your child’s death to bring a lawsuit. Important exceptions to the general rule may exist for a claim involving an injured minor.
In Nebraska, the age of majority is 19. If your child was under the age of 19 at the time of his or her accident or discovery of injuries, your family will have until your child’s 23rd birthday to file an injury claim, in most cases. You will have four years from your child turning the age of majority to bring an injury claim. However, a claim for compensation for your medical bills as a parent will still come with a typical four-year deadline. Speak to our attorneys for more information about the deadlines that apply to your specific child injury claim in Omaha.
The Knowles Law Firm | Omaha, Nebraska
If your child has been injured after an accident, do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Knowles Law Firm. Our firm is very family-centered, and we understand how upsetting it can be after your child has suffered a severe injury due to the actions of another. We will work closely with you to understand the details of your case and ensure the appropriate party is held responsible for their actions. Contact our Omaha, Nebraska office today for your initial free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Injury Lawyer in Omaha
How can a child injury lawyer assist in securing fair compensation for my child’s injury?
A child injury lawyer has experience handling claims that address both the immediate and long-term impacts of a child’s injury. These professionals understand how to investigate incidents thoroughly and advocate for fair compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, and other losses. With their knowledge of personal injury cases, they know how to build a strong case against negligent parties and can negotiate effectively to prevent the insurance company from undervaluing the claim. For complex cases, they are prepared to take the matter to court if necessary to seek the compensation your child deserves.
What steps should I take if my child is injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence?
After ensuring your child receives immediate medical attention, document the accident scene if possible and collect witness contact information. Consult a child injury lawyer who focuses on child injury cases to evaluate your options and rights. Your lawyer will review the details of the incident, manage communication with the insurance company, and build a case for fair compensation. This allows you to focus on your child’s recovery while a professional navigates the legal process on your behalf.
What types of accidents commonly result in child injury cases, and how can personal injury lawyers help?
Child injury cases often involve car accidents, daycare incidents, dog bites, and defective products, all of which require specialized knowledge to prove liability. Personal injury lawyers skilled in child injury cases understand the nuances of these incidents and know how to gather the necessary evidence, such as eyewitness accounts, medical records, and safety reports. They work to demonstrate how the negligence or misconduct of another party led to your child’s injury and advocate for full financial compensation to aid in your child’s recovery.
How do personal injury lawyers negotiate with an insurance company for child injury victims?
Personal injury lawyers represent child injury victims by handling all interactions with the insurance company to avoid low settlement offers that don’t reflect the true costs of the injury. They leverage detailed case analysis and evidence to counteract the tactics insurers often use to minimize payouts. Experienced lawyers will assess the full impact of the injury on the child’s life and pursue compensation that accounts for immediate medical bills as well as future needs, such as therapy and other ongoing treatments.
What is the role of a child injury lawyer in long-term injury cases affecting children?
In long-term cases, a child injury lawyer plays a crucial role by calculating the full extent of the damages your child may face over a lifetime. This includes potential medical expenses, therapy, educational support, and reduced earning potential if the injury affects their future. Skilled in handling child injury cases, these lawyers understand how to present a case that covers long-term implications, allowing families to receive fair compensation that supports the child’s needs throughout their life.
About Our Attorney
Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner at Knowles Law Firm
Robert has tried cases in both state and federal courts and was selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Less than 1.5 percent of lawyers nationally are selected for this recognition. He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain. He was also selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2019 Top Rated Lawyer.