Child Injury Lawyer Services
When a child suffers a serious personal injury, it can be a traumatic experience for the whole family. If the injury results in-hospital treatment and long periods of rehabilitation, it can be distressing. That’s why it’s important to get the right help in place.
JMW's expert personal injury solicitors can help you secure compensation for your child, assisting you with getting medical treatment and rehabilitation that is necessary for them to adapt to how their everyday life has been affected as a result of the accident.
We will assess your child’s claim and advise on the best course of action for you and your child throughout the lifetime of your claim. Our team is ready to act on your behalf so you can seek compensation for your injured child.
To speak to a solicitor about making a serious child accident claim, contact us today by calling 0345 872 6666, or by filling in our online enquiry form to request a call back.
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How JMW Can Help
Our goal with any claim is to help to restore your child to the position they were in before the accident, or as close to that position as possible. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to child accident claims, particularly with more serious injuries, as it may take some time for the full impact of the accident to become clear. We aim to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible so you can focus on supporting your child.
Child injury claims in the UK are governed by a variety of laws and regulations. These include statutes specific to child safety and welfare, as well as broader personal injury laws. Our team keeps informed on all relevant legal updates to ensure that your claim is handled in line with the latest legal standards.
As well as getting compensation for your child's injury and costly medical expenses, a claim can also take into account a range of other issues, such as:
- Time that parents/family members have taken off work
- Time missed from school
- Damaged clothing or personal possessions
- Additional care required for your child
We have a successful track record of winning compensation in serious child personal injury cases. When you work with us, you will receive clear and understandable legal advice as we aim to provide you with the best possible chance of being awarded compensation for your child’s injuries. Our solicitors have built a strong reputation by consistently securing compensation for our clients with hard work and legal expertise.
In cases where settlement negotiations are not successful, we are prepared to proceed to court. Our experience in child injury litigation means we are well-equipped to represent your child’s interests robustly in court.
Our solicitors operate nationwide from our offices in Manchester and London, providing our clients with the best possible customer service wherever they are in the country.
Making a Personal Injury Claim on a Child's Behalf
When a child is injured, the law provides that a claim should be made before their 18th birthday. There are some exceptions to this rule but they only apply in very exceptional circumstances and you should seek legal advice if you are unsure about this. If you are in any doubt, then seek legal advice well in advance of your child’s 18th birthday. Following this, your child can make their own claim up until the age of 21.
It is up to a responsible person over the age of 18 to make a personal injury claim on a child’s behalf. This person, known as a ‘litigation friend’ in legal terms, is usually one of the child’s parents; however, grandparents or other relatives and legal guardians are also able to act on behalf of the child.
Our expert solicitors have the sensitivity and empathy needed to make sure that dealing with the claim is as stress-free as possible. If required, we will put you in touch with the appropriate medical and rehabilitation experts, as well as ensure any potential educational issues are understood and care requirements are anticipated. We will also make sure that the final compensation award is reflective of what your child’s needs may be in the future.
Common Causes of Child Injury
Our solicitors are experienced in dealing with a wide spectrum of personal injuries and can handle serious child injury claims as a result of several circumstances, including:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Road traffic accidents
- Dog bites
- Falls from height
- Accidents on school trips
- Accidents during sporting activities
- School, college or nursery accidents
- Accidents involving defective products
- Accidents at a funfair or amusement park
- Accidents on holiday
- Accidents in a public place
- Child head injuries
We also have experience in handling child accident claims caused by specific incidents, such as bouncy castle accidents.
Regardless of how your child has developed their injury, if it was caused by somebody else’s negligence, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation on their behalf.
How Is Compensation Calculated in Child Injury Claims?
Generally speaking, personal injury compensation can be broken down into two main categories:
- General damages: these refer to the compensation awarded for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity experienced by the child due to their injury. General damages are calculated based on the severity and duration of the injury, its impact on the child's quality of life, and any long-term disabilities or challenges it may pose.
- Special damages: special damages cover the financial implications of the injury. This can include medical expenses, adaptation costs, lost earnings (for parents or older children), educational needs and future financial losses that are predicted to arise.
Every child injury claim is unique, so compensation amounts will vary. Our solicitors tailor their approach to meet the specific needs of each case, ensuring that the compensation reflects the true extent of the impact on your child's life.
It's impossible to state exactly how much compensation you could claim for your child's accident due to the many factors involved in calculating it. We will discuss this with you during your initial consultation and offer advice as your claim proceeds to narrow down a figure that accurately reflects the compensation you need and deserve.
Why Choose JMW?
At JMW, we recognise that each child injury claim is unique, bringing individual challenges and opportunities. Our approach to these sensitive cases is tailored, empathetic and focused on the child's best interests and family dynamics.
We begin by understanding the specific circumstances of each case and developing a legal strategy that addresses the unique aspects of your child's injury. This bespoke approach ensures that the legal action we take is perfectly aligned with your child’s needs.
Recognising the impact of a child’s injury on the entire family, our solicitors can help you find support that considers the emotional, psychological and practical needs of the family as a whole. From initial consultation to the conclusion of the claim, our team manages every detail. This includes gathering evidence, liaising with medical professionals, and handling all legal paperwork, ensuring that the process is as seamless as possible for you.
We believe in keeping our clients informed and empowered throughout the process. We will ensure that you understand every step and decision, providing clarity and peace of mind during what can be a challenging time.
We approach all our personal injury claims on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you will not have to pay our legal fees if we are unsuccessful in claiming the compensation you need. We will also avoid springing unexpected costs on you, making sure you are advised well in advance of any additional expenses you may encounter.
FAQs About Serious Child Injury Claims
- How much compensation could my child receive for their injury?
It is difficult to determine exactly how much compensation you are likely to receive for your child as it is based on several factors, including the extent of their injury, its impact on their life and the likely impact on their future. Any costs incurred at the time of the injury and after will also be considered.
Our personal injury solicitors can give you an indication of how much your child injury compensation claim is worth.
- How do I pay for my child’s personal injury compensation claim?
All personal injury claims handled by JMW are taken on a no win, no fee basis. Should your claim be unsuccessful, you will not have to pay our legal fees. If a claim is successful, the legal fees will usually be included in a compensation settlement.
- What is a serious child injury?
As a parent, any injury to your child will be serious. In legal terms, an injury is deemed serious if there has been a detrimental impact on a child’s life and future since the injury. Other examples of factors that make an injury serious include, but are not limited to:
- A child spending an extended period in hospital
- A child’s development being impaired as a result of the injury
- A child suffers a condition or pain that they did not have before the injury
- What evidence do I need to make a child injury claim?
Collecting evidence is a fundamental part of the claims process. Certain information should be collected, if possible, to help your claim. This includes:
- The date and time that the accident occurred
- Details of where the accident took place - supporting these details with photographs can be very useful
- The contact details of any witnesses to the accident
- If your child was involved in a road traffic accident, you will need to provide the name and address of the driver responsible for the accident, if they did not flee the scene
- If your child was injured by an animal, you will need to provide details of the type of animal, the name and contact details of the owner, and whether the animal was under anybody’s control at the time of the injury
- If the accident took place in school or on a playground or park, you will need to provide details of who was responsible for the child at the time of the accident (e.g. a teacher) and the local authority responsible for that location
Even if you are unsure about whether you will be able to gather evidence, get in contact with our team. Our child injury claims solicitors have helped many families make claims, so we will be able to provide advice on how you can make further enquiries for the information.
Talk to Us
If your child has suffered a catastrophic injury that was the fault of another individual or organisation, you could be entitled to claim compensation on your child’s behalf. Get in touch with JMW today by calling 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, you can fill out our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
