Having a seriously injured child is an incredibly distressing experience for any parent or guardian. The added stress of dealing with insurance companies and the justice system can make the situation unbearable.
A Tulsa child injury lawyer could be the empathetic team member you need to handle legal challenges while you focus on supporting your child. Reach out to LaCourse Law to discuss your situation with a trusted local personal injury attorney.
Children get hurt in various ways. Our Tulsa attorneys commonly handle claims for children and minors with injuries caused by:
This list is not exhaustive. If your child sustained harm due to someone else’s actions or inactions, contact our team as soon as possible. We could help you determine whether you have a viable claim and what steps to take next.
Pursuing a settlement can be a delicate process, depending on who caused the child’s injury. Under Oklahoma’s modified comparative negligence rule, multiple parties can be held liable—including parents or even the injured child.
Under this rule, the court must establish the percentage of fault for each party in question. The injured child and their guardians cannot recover any damages if the court finds them more than 50 percent at fault. This makes child development experts indispensable for proving that the child’s behavior was appropriate for their age and maturity level.
Parents and guardians are not immune to scrutiny either. Often, defendants will argue that the caretakers’ failure to adequately supervise the child is the true cause of the child’s injuries.
Our attorneys at LaCourse Law in Tulsa understand these legal principles and how defending parties try to weaken child injury cases. We capitalize on our years of experience and network of experts to protect the interests of injured children and their guardians.
Because minors are not allowed to file lawsuits themselves, children’s parents or legal guardians must pursue compensation for injuries. Children who have turned 18, however, can bring suit for injuries they suffered as minors, as long as they are within the appropriate deadline to file.
Our Tulsa attorneys can help you claim from two main categories of damages involved in child injury suits: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages describe those such as medical bills, lost wages for adults who must take time off work to care for an injured child, or accommodation. They can also include home modifications, medical equipment, and even special schooling.
These economic damages are easily calculated from relevant documentation and paid, by default, to parents or legal guardians.
Non-economic damages outline those that do not have a clear dollar value and include pain and suffering, emotional and psychological distress, and scarring or disfigurement. Because non-economic damages specifically relate to the harm that a child suffers, they are paid to the child or held in trust for the child until adulthood.
In extreme cases—when the injuries resulted from reckless behavior, gross negligence, or intentional harm—courts can issue punitive damages.
You may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages when your child is injured. A Tulsa child injury lawyer could guide you through the complex legal process that governs these claims.
At LaCourse Law, we consider ourselves part of a caring team that can support you and your family during an emotionally trying time.
With so much on your mind, let our experienced lawyers seek justice for you and your child. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and find out how we could help.
(918) 744-7100