When your child suffers an injury, it can feel like your whole world is turned upside down. Beyond the immediate concern for their health and recovery, you’re often left grappling with medical bills, emotional stress, and uncertainty about what steps to take next. This is where hiring a qualified child injury lawyer can make all the difference.

This guide will walk you through the key aspects of hiring a child injury lawyer in Indiana, including understanding common causes of injuries, legal rights, compensation, and how to choose the right attorney. With the right legal expertise on your side, you can secure the justice and compensation your family deserves.

Call 317-881-2700 to Meet With an Indiana Child Injury Lawyer

Understanding the Role of a Child Injury Lawyer

A child injury lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in advocating for the rights of injured children. They work to identify the causes of injuries, prove negligence where applicable, and pursue compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income (for parents who need to care for the injured child), ongoing care, and emotional distress.

Navigating Indiana’s personal injury laws can be daunting for parents, especially while caring for an injured child. Having an experienced attorney handle the legal aspects allows you to focus on what truly matters—your child’s recovery.

Common Causes of Child Injuries in Indiana

Understanding how and why injuries happen is a crucial first step. Here are some of the most common causes of child injuries in Indiana and the corresponding legal implications.

1. Playground Accidents

Lack of maintenance, defective equipment, or inadequate supervision can lead to serious playground injuries. Indiana has specific safety standards for playgrounds, and a failure to meet these can constitute negligence.

2. Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of child injuries in the United States, including Indiana. This includes accidents caused by reckless drivers, DUI incidents, or generally negligent drivers.

3. Defective Products

Dangerous toys, cribs, or other children’s products can cause injuries. A manufacturer’s failure to ensure safety through rigorous testing and responsible design or inadequate warnings could lead to product liability lawsuits.

4. Childcare Negligence

Childcare providers, such as daycare centers or babysitters, have a legal duty of care to keep children safe while under their supervision. Negligence in supervision or unsafe environments can result in severe injuries.

5. Premises Liability Accidents

Slippery floors, broken stairs, or unsafe environments on someone else’s property can lead to accidents. Property owners can be held accountable for failing to prevent hazards under Indiana’s premises liability laws.

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Legal Rights and Compensation for Injured Children

When a child is injured, Indiana law allows parents or guardians to file a personal injury lawsuit to secure compensation. Here’s what you need to know about your rights and potential outcomes.

Legal Concepts to Understand

Negligence: Establishing negligence means proving the party responsible for your child’s injury failed to act with reasonable care.
Duty of Care: This refers to the legal obligation to ensure the safety of your child in various settings, such as schools, playgrounds, or daycare centers.
Statute of Limitations: Indiana generally provides an extended timeline for filing personal injury claims involving minors. The clock typically starts when the child turns 18, giving families ample time to gather evidence and document their case. However, it is best to file suit much earlier to help ensure evidence preservation.

Types of Compensation

Medical Expenses: Includes current and future medical costs, such as surgeries, therapy, and rehabilitation.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress your child endures.
Parental Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost while providing care and support for the injured child.
Disability and Long-Term Care: Coverage for disabilities or injuries that require lifetime support.

Choosing the Right Child Injury Lawyer in Indiana

Picking the right attorney is a critical decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here’s what to look for when selecting a child injury lawyer in Indiana:

☑ Experience in Similar Cases
Choose an attorney with specific experience handling child injury lawsuits. They will understand the nuances of Indiana’s personal injury laws and be familiar with cases involving children.

☑ Proven Track Record
Ask about past cases and settlements. A lawyer with demonstrated success in collecting compensation for clients is a strong sign they can handle your case effectively.

☑ Communication and Empathy
A good attorney will be responsive, compassionate, and supportive throughout the process. They should be able to explain legal terms clearly and keep you informed at every stage.

☑ Contingency Fee Basis
Look for attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay unless they win your case. This can ease financial stress while you seek justice for your child.

Contact the Indianapolis law office of Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case review with our experienced child injury attorneys. With over 30 years of experience and millions and millions recovered in settlements, you can trust us to fight for your family’s rights.

Key Mistakes to Avoid After a Child Injury

Parents often make critical mistakes that can weaken their case. Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure the best outcome for your child’s injury lawsuit.

Delaying medical treatment
Failing to document the accident scene or preserve evidence
Accepting initial settlement offers from insurance companies without consulting a lawyer
Posting details about the injury on social media

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of compensation can I recover in a child injury case?

You may recover compensation for medical expenses, parental lost wages, pain and suffering, and lifetime care for severe injuries.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit for my child’s injuries in Indiana?

The statute of limitations typically extends until the child turns 18. However, acting sooner is essential to ensure evidence is preserved.

What does “negligence” mean in Indiana personal injury law?

Negligence refers to someone’s failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person, such as a child injured on a poorly maintained playground.

How much does it cost to hire a child injury lawyer in Indiana?

Many attorneys, including Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C., operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay unless your case is successful.

How can a child injury lawyer help with my case?

A lawyer will guide you through the legal process, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.

What happens with the settlement or verdict monies?

Depending on the net amount to the child, a guardian may have to be appointed and court approval obtained before a proposed settlement is valid. One parent is usually appointed as guardian over the proceeds and the court will require the guardian and their attorney to ensure and provide proof to the court that the settlement proceeds are placed into a protected account where the monies cannot be removed without a court order before the child turns 18. Once the child turns 18, the child may petition the court to release their settlement monies to them.

PROTECT YOUR CHILD’S RIGHTS TODAY

When your child has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the road to recovery can be overwhelming. Seeking legal assistance from an experienced child injury lawyer is crucial to securing fair compensation and holding those responsible accountable.

At Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C., we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to book a free initial consultation with a seasoned child injury lawyer in Indianapolis. Together, we’ll fight for your child’s future.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

When your child gets seriously hurt in an accident at school, your first thought is to address their medical needs. But because they are under the supervision of professionals, your thoughts start to gravitate toward fault, as occurs with all injuries. You might be asking yourself, “is someone responsible for my kid’s accident?”, or “should the school be covering the medical bills for my child’s injuries?” These are all natural questions to have as a concerned parent paying out of pocket for their child’s medical expenses and losing pay from taking time off work.

If your child was seriously injured in an accident that took place while at school or at a school-related function, continue reading to learn what you need to know about a school’s potential liability in student injuries.

Indiana Child Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Student Injuries and School Liability

The laws and legal principles that govern school liability in the case of student accidents and injuries vary from state to state and are complex. Furthermore, most schools are local municipal government agencies, which means they are more difficult to sue due to the fact that most governmental entities are granted immunity from civil lawsuits. This legal concept is known as sovereign immunity, if on a state or federal level, and governmental immunity for cities, counties, and other smaller branches of government. Such immunity is arguably the most influential factor in determining who can be held liable after a student is injured at school.

Here in Indiana, our law recognizes and supports governmental immunity, which can pose a challenge for those who wish to seek compensation for their losses and damages following a school injury. However, many municipal governments make exceptions to the rule of not being able to be sued. Under strict, specific conditions, a family might be granted the right to sue a school after their child is seriously injured or killed on campus or while in their care. Examples of such conditions might include gross negligence, supplementary liability insurance coverage, and negligent supervision laws, premise liability laws, and more.

Your Next Steps as a Parent to an Injured Child

It is important to discuss your potential claim with an experienced Indiana personal injury lawyer who focuses on child injury claims. They have the knowledge and resources to guide you on the most secure path toward recovery. The deadlines and requirements for suing a school are much shorter and stricter in comparison to other types of personal injury claims, making it vital to have a seasoned professional in your corner. Get started as soon as possible by scheduling an in-person consultation to learn your rights.

Your Trusted Indianapolis Child Injury Lawyers

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help filing a child injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent injured persons and wrongful death dependents throughout the State of Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are motivated to help you get your life back on track after your child was seriously injured in an accident so you can concentrate on taking care of your child. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with our Indianapolis child injury lawyers, today.

Craven, Hoover, & Blazek P.C.

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Hiring a Child Injury Lawyer in Indiana: What Parents Need to Know