Long Beach Child Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Firm Representing Children and their Parents

Nothing can be more traumatic for both a child and his or her parents than injuries sustained in the wake of an accident or incident caused by another party's negligence. A child can be injured in this manner in any number of scenarios, from an auto accident, a drunk driver, a dog bite attack, a bus or bicycle accident, a slip and fall, or from the use of a defective consumer product.

If your child has been injured because of the negligence or wrongdoing of another in the greater Long Beach, California area, we highly recommend that you contact an experienced Long Beach personal injury attorney at McGee, Lerer & Associates. We have 40 years of combined experience in handling personal injury cases of all kinds and offer compassionate and competent legal assistance in helping you recover the financial compensation to which you are entitled.

Court Approval Required for Settlements of $5,000 and Up

If the claim of a minor (a child under the age of 18) settles for $5,000 or more, California law requires that a court approve the settlement in a procedure called a Minor's Compromise Hearing. Once approved, the money must go into a blocked, federally insured account, and must remain there until the child reaches the age of 18. It is possible to petition the court to allow for the early release of some of the funds for to pay for things that will benefit the child, like a computer, educational supplies, and tutoring.

For large settlements, we often recommend to parents that the money is put into a structured settlement, which would prevent the child from gaining access to the entire settlement at the age of 18. Instead, the structure will be set up so that the money is released in chunks over time, once the child has reached adulthood, at whatever age intervals the parents have decided upon. While the money remains in the structured settlement, it is invested and earning interest.

Parents Who Saw the Child's Injury Happen

If the child's parents or other immediate family members observed the injury happen, California law entitles them to bring their own claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress. Immediate family members can be compensated for the mental distress they suffered upon witnessing a family member being injured.

We recently represented a young girl who was attacked by a dog that had escaped from the neighbor's backyard. Our client's grandmother witnessed the attack and was traumatized by what she saw. We were able to arrange for psychotherapy for the grandmother on a lien basis, which meant that the psychotherapist wasn't paid up front; he was paid out of the settlement.

If Parent must take Time off Work to Care for Injured Child

When a child is injured, the parent often must take time off work to care for the injured child. Now, not only is the family dealing with the child's medical bills, but also with a loss of income to the household. Under the law, the parent is entitled to compensation for that lost income.

Even if a parent who provides home nursing services to a child does not suffer lost wages due to missing time from work, the child is still entitled to demand compensation for "gratuitously furnished home nursing services." How much can the child demand? The measure of damages is the amount for which reasonably competent nursing and attendance by others could have been obtained. In other words, the defendant must pay what it would have cost to hire a home health aide, at the prevailing market rate.

A Long Beach Child Injury Lawyer can Help

To find out how we can help you in the aftermath of your child's injury, please consult with one of our attorneys as soon as possible to discuss the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. After reviewing your case, we can advise you on your legal rights and initiate appropriate legal action on behalf of you and your child.