There’s nothing worse than seeing your child get hurt. So much of your time is spent on trying to keep them safe, and you might not expect seemingly safe things to cause harm. Sometimes other people are inattentive, don’t maintain their property, or don’t make equipment as safe as it should be. Negligence is often how unexpected child injuries happen.
When the actions of other people cause your child to get injured, you want to get your child the best care so they can get back to feeling better. But you also want the party responsible to be held accountable for their actions. That’s when you need a Columbia, SC child injury lawyer from the Solomon Law Group. Our compassionate and experienced lawyers want to protect you and your child’s rights.
What Are Some Common Types of Child Injuries?
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development released a list of common child injuries. These serious injuries can have serious health implications and could potentially affect a child for the rest of their life.
- Falling. About 8,000 children go to the emergency room a day for fall injuries. While these are usually nonfatal, they can cause a lot of harm and pain to the child.
- Car Accidents. Serious car accidents are likely to cause fatal injuries to young children. About 150 children go to the emergency room an hour because of car crash injuries.
- Drowning. This is especially dangerous for younger children, like from ages 1-4. According to the NICHD, three children drown every day.
- Suffocation. Little kids often learn by touching objects and putting them in their mouths. If toddlers eat something small, they are at risk for it getting it stuck in their throat and suffocating.
- Poisoning. More than 300 children a day go to the emergency room for poisoning. Children can get into common household chemicals and cleaners, which can smell good and look like candy. They might also get into medicines.
- Burns. About 300 children a day go to the emergency room for burn injuries. While older kids are usually burned from contact with fire, little kids are often burned by steam or hot liquids.
What Can Cause Child Injuries?
Child injuries can be caused by other people, poorly maintained equipment, or faulty manufacturing.
- Pools. Pools in public facilities need to have a lifeguard on duty during regular swimming hours to ensure everyone’s safety. Private pools, like ones in backyards, need to have a fence so little kids can’t wander in from the neighborhood.
- Trampolines. These need to be set up on level ground and maintained on a regular basis. Springs can rust or you might find fault in the equipment.
- Cars. It’s common for kids to ride bikes, skateboards, and scooters in the street. Sometimes, drivers aren’t paying enough attention and they collide.
- Playground Equipment. Going to the park is a classic pastime for kids. Parks usually have swing sets and jungle gyms. But this equipment needs maintenance to keep away rust and make sure it remains structurally sound. When this doesn’t happen, the equipment can become unsafe.
If your child is injured on another person’s property due to poor maintenance, poor construction, or faulty building techniques—whether it’s in someone’s backyard, a public park, or a business—you may be able to hold the property owner legally liable. This is an area of law called premises liability. Filing a premises liability lawsuit may make it easier to pay for your child’s recovery costs as well as ensure that property owner learns to be responsible.
How Do You Prove Premises Liability in South Carolina?
Proving premises liability will require a few steps. You need to show:
- The person at fault owned the property that caused the injury.
- The person’s negligence to maintain or keep the property safe.
- You were injured.
- You were injured because of the person’s negligence.
With a Columbia premises liability lawyer at your side, you’ll be able to get the proper instruction on the best ways to prove your claim. Some other things you can do are:
- Take Pictures. Photograph everything that has to do with the incident. Take pictures of the area where your child’s injury took place. Get close-ups and shots of the entire scene. Also, take pictures of your child’s injury.
- See a Doctor. No matter if your child insists they’re fine, go see a doctor. Your child could have injuries that they don’t know about because they aren’t experiencing symptoms. The doctor will assess your child’s health and give you the best treatment plan to help them recover.
- Gather Records. Get medical records of the doctor’s assessment or other things like x-rays and medical prescriptions.
Do You Need a South Carolina Child Injury Lawyer?
If your child has been hurt because another person failed to keep their property safe or due to an unsafe item, then you need a Columbia, SC child injury lawyer.
Don’t wait any longer. Call the Solomon Law Group today at (866) 808-4885 to start fighting for your child’s rights.
