Acting For Injured Children

Acting for Injured Children

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Contact your local team for a free consultation to find out if you are eligible for compensation

Acting for Injured Children – no parent or guardian ever expects that something horrible could happen to their child.  It is important to know what steps can be taken to protect your child’s future if they sustain an injury through no fault of their own.

Some of the most common accidents in which children suffer injuries are:

  1. Motor vehicle accidents.
  2. Pedestrian accidents.
  3. Accidents while at school.
  4. Dog attacks.
  5. Accidents in public places including playgrounds.
  6. Accidents at recreational and sporting centres.
  7. As a result of medical negligence.

 

Acting for injured children in their compensation claims requires a high level of experience, skill and understanding.

Children can’t make their own legal decisions, or provide lawyers with instructions, until they turn 18.  They must rely on others to provide these instructions, usually one of the child’s parents.

The cost of investigating and treating a serious injury suffered by a child can be significant.  These costs may be costs which will need to be incurred over the remainder of the child’s life.

The outcome of medical and other rehabilitative treatment may take some time to be known.  It is often difficult to predict how a child may recover from their injuries soon after they occur.

With young children who have suffered traumatic brain injuries it is important to wait until the child has completed his or her education to ascertain the adverse impact the child’s cognitive deficits may have had on the child’s academic performance.

Compensation is paid as a “once and for all” lump sum – there is no coming back for more if something has been overlooked.  For this reason, we often have to wait until the child reaches adulthood before finalising their case.

COMPENSATION MIGHT BE PAYABLE FOR:

  1. Pain and suffering (non-economic loss.
  2. Past medical expenses.
  3. Future medical and rehabilitation expenses.
  4. Past care and assistance provided to the child.
  5. Future care and assistance.
  6. Past loss of earnings (if applicable).
  7. Past loss of superannuation (if applicable).
  8. Future loss of earnings.
  9. Future loss of superannuation.
  10. Increased travel costs.
  11. Funds management costs.

 

Any settlements before age 18 must be approved by the Court as being in the child’s best financial interests.

Children can’t collect their settlement or verdict monies until they turn 18.  If claims are settled or decided before that age the funds are generally invested with a funds manager.

While you can focus on your child’s medical treatment and recovery we can ensure that your child’s legal rights are preserved.

Strict time limits apply to claims available to children.  While you can focus on your child’s medical treatment and recovery we can ensure that your child’s legal rights are preserved. Do not delay speaking with a lawyer.

HOW CAN STACKS GOUDKAMP HELP?

We act for injured children and others who have been injured through negligence.

We will act for you on a no win, no fee basis. We will gather evidence from various medical experts, the police and other experts. We will also examine how your injuries have impacted your ability to participate in the activities you enjoyed prior to the accident and your ability to continue working. We conduct thorough negotiations with at-fault parties and insurers in order to obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. In many cases, we are able to do this successfully without the need of going to court.

If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of negligence you should contact Stacks Goudkamp, on 9237 2222 or enquire online.

Written by Karina Goodall

Karina Goodall is a Practice Group Leader at Stacks Goudkamp and specialising in motor vehicle claimssuperannuation and TPD claims.

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I could write a book as to how the last 4 years would have been different if not for Tom and his team.
The support, assistance, advice from the first conversation till even after the settlement was second to none from the team at Stacks Goudkamp.
Four years on and after many downs, my children and I have our lives back.
We are unable to THANK YOU enough, but know that you have changed our lives for the better in so many ways since the accident.