Atlanta Child Injury Attorneys
Representing Atlanta Families After Serious Child Injuries and Accidents
At Grant Law Office, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers understand that nothing is more precious than your child's well-being. If your child has been injured, please don't hesitate to call us. We can give you more information about your legal rights and help you decide on the best next step for your family.
For over 30 years, Grant Law Office has been helping accident victims in Atlanta. Wayne Grant has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and he’s also rated in the top 5 percent of Georgia attorneys by Super Lawyers.
Call (404) 995-3955 to schedule your FREE consultation with an Atlanta child injury lawyer today.
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Common Child Injuries in Atlanta, GA
Injuries send over nine million U.S. children to the emergency room or their doctors' offices each year. Injuries are the number one cause of death among children over age one and also the number one cause of developmental disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The real tragedy is that many of these injuries and the deaths or is that many of these injuries and the deaths or disabilities they cause could have been avoided if a person or company had acted with reasonable care for the safety of others. Frequent child injuries include:
- Car accident injuries. Car accidents are still the main cause of injury and death among kids in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Car accidents are also a leading cause of injury and death among teens, who are just learning to drive.
- Fireworks-related injuries. Fireworks cause burns and other injuries to both children and adults each summer, but they are especially dangerous for children, who are less likely to understand the risk of fire.
- Playground injuries. An improperly maintained playground can cause injuries from damaged equipment or unsafe landing surfaces. Even on well-maintained playgrounds, watching children carefully is key in preventing injuries.
- Poisoning. Kids under age six are particularly at risk for unintentional poisoning because they do not understand the dangers of certain household chemicals. Teens also face the risk of poisoning.
- Fire. Children under four are at the highest risk for injury or death in a house fire, but this risk threatens all the members of the family.
- Traumatic brain injury. Falls and blows to the head send 400,000 U.S. children to the hospital each year. Severe traumatic brain injuries can cause paralysis or permanent cognitive, motor, and/or mood disorders.
- Drowning. After car accidents, drowning is the second leading cause of injury or death for children ages 0 to 14. For every child who dies in a water accident, three more visit the emergency room for water-related injuries.
- Dog bites. Dog bites are not often fatal, but they do send tens of thousands of children to the emergency room each year.
Because the risk of injury to children can be so high, many parents take special care to avoid injury to children in their homes. Common-sense safety measures include installing and testing smoke alarms, placing guards on staircases and other places where falls might occur, installing locked fencing around a swimming pool, and storing cleaning supplies and other chemicals in locked cabinets kids cannot reach. In addition, most organizations that work with children have high safety standards and take even the smallest injuries seriously.
The Injury Prevention Program of The Georgia Department of Health provides resources to help prevent injuries to children and others across the state.
The Importance of Proper Supervision for Children
Caregivers, including parents, guardians, teachers, and daycare providers, play a critical role in ensuring child safety. Their primary responsibility is to maintain a vigilant watch over children, anticipating potential hazards and intervening when necessary. In daycares and schools, this means adhering to established safety protocols, maintaining appropriate child-to-staff ratios, and ensuring the environment is free from harm.
Schools and daycare centers must ensure that all staff are trained in safety procedures and inspect the premises regularly for potential hazards. Classrooms and play areas should be designed to minimize risks, with safety measures like secure playground equipment. Emergency procedures must also be implemented.
Inadequate supervision often leads to child injuries that could have been prevented. For example, distractions such as personal phone use or conversations may divert staff attention from children, increasing the risk of accidents.
Legal Considerations for Atlanta Daycares and Schools
Georgia's child safety laws are designed to protect children in educational and childcare settings. These regulations mandate sufficient adult supervision at all time. Facilities must meet specific health and safety standards, including maintenance of playground equipment, and fire safety measures.
Professional licensing is required for all daycare centers and home-based childcare services, and this includes a thorough background check for all staff. Playgrounds and indoor play areas must meet safety guidelines. Providers are also obligated to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.
Who Is Liable When a Child Gets Injured?
Assessing negligence in Atlanta child injury cases involves a detailed examination of the circumstances leading to the injury. Key factors include the adequacy of supervision, adherence to safety protocols, and the condition of the environment where the injury occurred.
Evidence such as witness statements, incident reports, and expert testimonies often play a crucial role. Courts will also consider foreseeability – this means assessing whether the caregiver could have reasonably predicted the risk of harm.
Liable parties in a child injury case may include teachers, daycare workers, coaches, or babysitters who failed to provide adequate supervision or breached their duty of care. Institutions like schools, daycare centers, and sports leagues can also be held liable for neglecting to maintain a safe environment.
Manufacturers of defective playground equipment or unsafe toys could be liable for injuries resulting from their products. In some cases, other parents might be held responsible if their child's actions led to the injury and they failed to supervise adequately.
Available Compensation for Child Injury Cases
Compensation for medical expenses typically covers several types of costs, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and follow-up care such as physical therapy. It may also cover specialized treatments, medical equipment, assisted living care, and home modifications to accommodate the child's needs such as wheelchair ramps.
Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the non-economic damages a child endures following an injury. This form of compensation recognizes the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma that can accompany serious injuries.
Calculating pain and suffering can be complex, as it involves assessing the severity and duration of the child's suffering, the impact on their quality of life, and any long-lasting effects. Factors such as the child's age, the extent of the injury, and the recovery process are reviewed. Courts may also take into account the emotional toll that the child’s injuries are likely to have on the family.
Determining loss of future earning capacity involves projecting the child's future career prospects, taking into consideration their skills, education, and the typical earnings associated with their likely career path. Expert testimony from vocational specialists and economists often plays a significant role in these assessments. The calculation also factors in the child's age at the time of injury and the severity of the disability affecting their ability to work.
Our Atlanta Child Injury Lawyers Guide You through the Legal Process
Unfortunately, child injuries can happen almost anywhere - on the playground, at the beach, at a friend's house, or while traveling between activities. When an accident is caused by a person's or company's failure to use reasonable care, the family may benefit from seeking compensation from those whose negligence resulted in the child's injuries, especially if the injuries have left the child with life-long disabilities.
To learn more, please contact the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Grant Law Office by calling (404) 995-3955.
Additional Information
- Stray Bullet Hits Atlanta Toddler: Is It Negligent Security?
- Common Causes of Child Injuries: A Legal Perspective
- Playground Premises Liability and Your Kids’ Safety
- If My Child Suffers a Spinal Injury, What Should I Do Next?
- Child Safety - MedlinePlus
Contact us today for a free and comprehensive case evaluation.
We require no legal retainer or upfront fees,
and you pay nothing unless we prevail.
Phone: (404) 995-3955
