Child Injury Attorney in Washington DC

Boy wearing headphones crossing the street.

Has your child gotten hurt in an accident due to someone’s wrongdoing in Washington, D.C.? No parent wants their child to go through the physical and emotional trauma of a catastrophic accident. Your family can pursue personal injury claims to hold the responsible parties accountable and demand the financial compensation needed for your child’s medical treatment, long-term care, and pain and suffering. Our Washington DC child injury lawyer can assist.

Let Marks & Harrison advocate for your family’s rights and interests. For over 100 years, our firm has helped injured victims and their families with trusted legal advice and a dedicated approach to fighting for maximum compensation. We charge no upfront fees to work on your case, and we only get paid if we win money for your family through a settlement or trial.

After your child has sustained physical or emotional trauma due to somebody else’s negligence, your family deserves to seek financial recovery and justice for your child’s suffering. Contact Marks & Harrison for a free initial case evaluation with a Washington DC child injury lawyer. Let’s discuss how our firm can help your family make up for what you have gone through.

What Causes Child Injuries in the District of Columbia?

At Marks & Harrison, our personal injury attorneys advocate on behalf of families whose children have suffered injuries in Washington, D.C., due to:

What Are Common Injuries for Children?

Common injuries children may suffer in accidents in DC include:

  • Severe lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Dislocated joints
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Birth injuries
  • Drowning
  • Suffocation
  • Nerve damage
  • Burns
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Facial injuries
  • Vision or hearing loss
  • Internal organ injuries or internal bleeding
  • Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
  • Traumatic amputation or limb loss
  • Infections, toxic exposure, and poisonings
  • Aggravated illness due to delayed diagnosis or lack of treatment

Does the Parent File the Injury Lawsuit on Their Child’s Behalf?

A child can wait until they turn 18 to file an injury lawsuit since the statute of limitations begins running once the child turns 18. However, your family may not want to wait until your child reaches adulthood to pursue financial compensation since your child may need expensive medical treatment and intensive support services. Parents can file child injury cases on behalf of their injured children as their guardian or “next friend” to seek the financial resources their child needs and deserves. Contact our Washington DC child injury lawyer today.

How Is Personal Injury Law Different for Children in Washington DC?

Most personal injury claims involve the legal doctrine of negligence. Negligence occurs when a party fails to act according to a duty of care they owe to another person. The duty of care requires someone to act reasonably to avoid injuring others. What is considered a reasonable act will depend on the circumstances of an accident and what another practical person or entity might do in the same or similar circumstances.

Washington, D.C., follows the traditional contributory negligence rule for most personal injury claims. Under this rule, any fault that an injured person bears for their injuries can prevent them from recovering compensation.

However, the law recognizes differences between adults and children regarding negligence and fault, given children’s lack of experience, maturity, or decision-making skills. A court or jury may not expect a young child to act in the same way as a reasonable adult and may not hold the child partially responsible for the accident that injured them. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help argue this defense to protect your family’s right to compensation.

Can My Child Receive Compensation for Their Injuries?

When a child gets hurt due to another party’s negligence, your family may have the right to seek compensation for losses your child and family incur due to their injuries, including for:

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, mental health treatment, or physical/occupational/speech therapy
  • Long-term disability care, including home health services, special education services, or disability accommodations
  • Loss of future earning capacity if your child suffers severe disabilities that will prevent them from working
  • Physical pain and anguish
  • Emotional trauma or distress
  • Lost quality of life

The value of your child’s injury claim will depend on various factors, such as:

  • The type and severity of injuries or physical and emotional harm your child has suffered
  • Whether your child’s injuries result in permanent disabilities or disfigurement
  • The duration of your child’s medical care and the types of treatment and rehabilitation they need
  • Whether your child requires long-term care or support, such as home health care or special education services
  • The parties at fault for your child’s injuries
  • Whether at-fault parties injured your child through reckless or intentional conduct
  • The availability of insurance coverage

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Child Injury Lawsuits in Washington DC?

Washington DC’s statute of limitations for injury claims typically gives your family three years to file a lawsuit against liable parties. However, the statute of limitations may instead begin to run once you discover or should have found your child’s injuries.

When a child pursues their own injury claims, the statute of limitations begins when the child turns 18 and can legally file an action. Because different limitation periods may apply depending on the circumstances of your child’s case, you can protect their rights by speaking with the legal team at Marks & Harrison as soon as possible to ensure their case gets started on time.

Contact a Washington DC Child Injury Lawyer

When your child has suffered injuries due to another party’s fault, get the legal representation you need to pursue accountability and justice. Contact Marks & Harrison today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Washington DC child injury attorney to discuss your family’s legal options.