Was your child injured or killed in an accident due to someone else’s negligence? A North Carolina child injury lawyer at Riddle & Brantley may be able to help. Since 1985, our child injury attorneys have been fighting for children hurt due to others’ negligence and we would love to help you if we can.
For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced North Carolina child injury lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the convenient form below.
The consultation is free and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation on behalf of you and your injured child.
Please call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your case. Justice Counts for young North Carolinians injure due to others’ negligence.
Our priority is to handle the entire legal matter from start to finish, making the process as easy, stress-free and convenient as possible for you, so that you can focus on your child’s recovery. Because we work on a contingency basis, we don’t get paid unless you do — if we don’t win compensation for you, you won’t pay any attorney fees.
Accidents Involving Children in North Carolina
Every year, thousands of North Carolina children are hurt in accidents. In many of these cases, someone else’s negligence is to blame.
In more than three decades serving the people of North Carolina, our child injury lawyers have handled all types of accidents, including:
- Auto Accidents — When a child is injured in a car, truck, or other motor vehicle accident, the results can be catastrophic. Other accidents, including scooter accidents, moped accidents, and bicycle accidents, can result in terrible injuries, as well.
- School Bus Accidents — In addition to crashes involving school buses, children may be vulnerable to the negligence of bus drivers and other nearby drivers when getting on or off the bus.
- Playground Accidents — Defective or broken playground equipment can pose serious risks to the safety of children. In these cases, a product liability or premises liability claim may be able to be filed.
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks — Children are naturally curious and dog bites and other animal attacks are not uncommon, often resulting in serious injury.
- Dangerous Children’s Products — Defective toys and other children’s products can present serious and even life-threatening risks to children.
- Swimming Pools — North Carolina law defines an “attractive nuisance” as a potentially dangerous condition that can attract a child’s attention, like a swimming pool. When swimming pools lack a fence or the property is not maintained, the consequences can be serious and even deadly.
- Daycare Accidents — When children are not properly supervises or a caregiver acts with negligence, resulting injuries can be serious and even life-threatening.
We also routinely handle claims involving dangerous drugs and defective medical devices.
In the most heartbreaking cases, our North Carolina wrongful death lawyers can help the estate and surviving relatives seek justice and compensation for lost loved ones.
Contributory Negligence and Child Injury Cases in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of just 5 states with a contributory negligence law. This essentially means that even if you are only partially responsible, you cannot recover compensation.
However, there are exceptions to this rule, including for children. In general, in North Carolina, a child under the age of 7 is considered incapable of negligence. The law also presumes that children between the ages of 7 and 14 are also incapable of acting with negligence, and evidence to the contrary is barred. That said, the law does assume that individuals older than 14 are capable of negligence — unless evidence proves otherwise.
Issues concerning liability in a child injury case in North Carolina can be complex, which is why it’s important to contact an experienced child injury lawyer right away.
For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced North Carolina child injury attorney, please call 1-800-525-7111.
The consultation is free and we don’t get paid unless you do. If we don’t recover compensation on behalf of you and your injured child, you won’t pay any attorney fees.
Call 1-800-525-7111 or fill out the convenient form below for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
“They turned a heartbreaking situation completely around.”
-Tonya Taylor, Riddle & Brantley client
Damages Available in a North Carolina Child Injury Claim
In North Carolina, “damages,” or compensation for economic and other losses, may be available if your child has been injured due to another’s negligence.
Damages available in child injury claims may include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of future income
- Miscellaneous expenses related to treatment (such as transportation costs to and from medical appointments)
- Pain and suffering (emotional injury and hardship due to the accident and injury)
- Punitive damages (damages intended to punish the negligent party for “reckless and wanton” negligence)
How Does a North Carolina Child Injury Claim Work?
In North Carolina, the court generally separates a child injury case into two separate claims:
- The parents’ claim for medical bills and related expenses
- The child’s claim for pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, lost future earning potential, and related issues
Because children are unable to represent themselves in a court case, the court will appoint a “guardian ad litem” to act in the interests of the child. In some cases, the guardian ad litem may be a parent, and in other cases another relative or an attorney may be appointed.
If both parties reach a settlement prior to trial, the court must generally approve of the settlement before it is finalized. This is done to ensure that the child’s best interests are protected.
In most cases in North Carolina, a child’s settlement will be held in trust until he or she turns 18.
“They made a hard time in my life easier to endure.”
-Melissa C., Riddle & Brantley client
Statute of Limitations for Child Injury Claims in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for injury claims is 3 years from the date of injury, in most cases. In child injury cases, however, the statute of limitations is “tolled” and the victim usually has 3 years from the date they turn 18 to file a claim.
Issues related to the statute of limitations in child injury and death cases can be complicated, however, and it is recommended that you seek consultation from an experienced North Carolina child injury lawyer.
Has Your Child Been Injured in North Carolina?
For more than three decades, the north Carolina child injury lawyers have been fighting for the rights of injured children and their relatives. We have recovered millions of dollars for victims of negligence and we would love to help you if we can (see disclaimer below).
It can be emotionally and financially devastating when a child is injured or killed due to someone else’s negligence. Our experienced injury attorneys would love to help you seek justice and compensation.
For a FREE consultation with an experienced NC child injury lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111.
The consultation is free and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive compensation.
Call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your claim.
Justice Counts.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.