Child Injury in St. Louis
When a child is injured because of someone else’s negligence, it’s devastating on every level. It not only affects a child’s physical health but can be damaging to their emotional well-being and future as well. This often leaves families struggling with overwhelming medical expenses, uncertainty, and deep emotional distress.
At Cofman Townsley, we understand how traumatic a child injury can be for the whole family. That’s why we are committed to helping you seek justice and secure the compensation needed to provide the best care for injured children.
If someone’s negligence hurt your child, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us fight for your child’s rights and your family’s future.
What Is a Child Injury?
Child injuries can range from minor to severe. While some injuries heal quickly, others can leave a child with lasting disabilities that require ongoing medical care, therapy, and emotional support. Understanding the severity of a child’s injury is key when seeking compensation:
- Minor Injuries: Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and minor burns that typically heal without lasting damage
- Moderate Injuries: Fractures, deep lacerations, and concussions that require medical intervention but are usually recoverable
- Severe Injuries: Permanent disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, and amputations that can alter a child’s ability to function and thrive
Beyond the immediate physical trauma, child injuries can also lead to cognitive, emotional, and psychological challenges. Something as serious as a head injury might cause permanent cognitive and developmental delays, while severe burns can lead to emotional trauma and social isolation. Our team considers the unique challenges of each child and the long-term effects when pursuing compensation.
Common Causes of Child Injuries in St. Louis
Children are full of energy and curiosity. While childlike energy and wonder are positive aspects of growing up, these qualities also make them more susceptible to injuries. Many child injuries are caused by negligence or unsafe conditions. When this is the case, families may have the right to pursue legal action. Some of the most common causes of child injuries in St. Louis include:
- Car Accidents: Children can suffer severe injuries in crashes caused by reckless or impaired drivers.
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Unsafe conditions in stores, schools, playgrounds, and homes can lead to preventable falls.
- Playground Accidents: Poorly maintained equipment, defective grounds and structures, or lack of supervision can cause serious harm.
- Sports-Related Injuries: Improper coaching, lack of safety gear, ignoring heat-related illness, or undiagnosed concussions can put children at risk.
- Acts of Violence or Assault: Negligent security at schools, daycare centers, and public places can leave children vulnerable.
- Defective Products or Toys: Manufacturers have a duty to make sure that toys, cribs, car seats, and other child-related products are 100% safe for use.
If your child’s injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and pursue justice and financial compensation.
How Child Injuries Impact Victims and Families
The effects of a child’s injury extend far beyond the initial pain and recovery process. A severe injury can permanently alter a child’s future. This places immense pressure on their family. The far-reaching impacts include:
- Loss of Independence: Children who suffer catastrophic injuries may need lifelong assistance with mobility, communication, or daily tasks.
- Financial Struggles: Medical treatments, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care can lead to overwhelming expenses. Parents may also lose income when they miss work to care for their children.
- Emotional and Psychological Toll: Children may struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or behavioral issues after a serious injury. These struggles cause parents and siblings emotional distress as well.
- Need for Long-Term Medical Care: Some injuries require extensive rehabilitation, home and vehicle modifications, and specialized education plans to accommodate a child’s needs.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Child Injury Case?
When negligence causes a child’s injury, families should be able to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and assistive devices
- Lost wages (if a parent must miss work to care for the child)
- Home modifications or special education needs
- Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering endured by the child
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Determining the true long-term cost of a child’s injury requires legal experience and medical expertise. At Cofman Townsley, we work with top medical professionals to calculate a settlement that reflects all your child’s current and future needs.
How Cofman Townsley Supports Child Injury Victims in St. Louis
At Cofman Townsley, we know how to fight for justice on behalf of injured children and their families. Our firm provides comprehensive legal representation that includes:
- Conducting thorough investigations to determine liability and gather crucial evidence
- Consulting with medical and child development experts to assess the full impact of the injury
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies to secure fair compensation
- Preparing for trial when necessary to hold negligent parties accountable
We understand that parents already have enough to worry about, so we handle the legal complexities while you focus on your child’s healing.
Challenges of Child Injury Cases
Child injury claims present unique legal challenges, such as:
- Proving the severity and long-term impact of an injury: Some injuries may not show their full effects until many years later.
- Overcoming insurance company resistance: Insurers may try to downplay the injury or shift blame onto the child or parents.
- Navigating Missouri’s comparative fault laws: If an insurance company argues that the child was partially responsible, compensation may be reduced.
An experienced child injury lawyer can build a strong case that accounts for your child’s full physical, emotional, and financial needs.
Contact Cofman Townsley
If your child has been injured due to negligence, we understand the whirlwind of emotions and worry your family is experiencing. Don’t face it alone. Cofman Townsley is here to support St. Louis families while fighting to get justice for their injured children. Let us help your child. Contact Cofman Townsley today for a free consultation.