What should a parent do if a child is injured | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

When a child is injured, a parent’s first priority is to make sure that the child receives the medical treatment he or she needs to recover. Once the extent of the injury has been determined, as well as any long-term effects the injury may cause, the parent may decide to bring forth a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the party responsible for the injury.

Any claim or lawsuit pursued can result in the financial compensation for any losses the child and their family suffered because of the injury. This can include all medical expenses, as well as the lost income sustained by the parent if they were unable to work because they had to care for the child during the recovery process. There may be other damages that can be pursued, including pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. North Carolina law requires that these be filed as two separate claims, one on behalf of the child and the other on behalf of the parent.