Understanding Child Injuries in Buffalo
From unsafe premises to negligence at schools, daycares, and playgrounds, child injuries can occur anywhere. Some common child injuries we see in Buffalo include the following:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Swimming pool injuries
- Trampoline injuries
- Other sports and recreation injuries
- Dog bite injuries
- Burn injuries
- Bullying incidents
- Medical malpractice
Child injuries can also occur from defective products. An example might be an unsafe toy that can lead to choking or toxic exposure. Similarly, products designed for children such as cribs, strollers, and car seats can be dangerous if they don’t work as expected.
Children can also sustain injuries in motor vehicle accidents—whether they’re traveling in a car, riding a bus, bicycling, or walking. No matter what type of injury your child has suffered, our team is here to help you pursue justice.
Accountability for Your Child’s Injuries
Picture a wandering child whose eye is caught by a neighbor’s swimming pool. The water glistens, and the gate is slightly open. Drawn by the sight, the child slips through the gate, unaware of the danger the pool poses.
This scenario highlights why New York State’s “attractive nuisance doctrine” exists. Certain features, such as swimming pools and trampolines, can attract children who may not understand the risks. Property owners must take reasonable precautions— such as locking gates or installing pool covers—to help prevent accidents when something on their property could be hazardous to a child.
Our child injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York, know the ins and outs of premises liability and other forms of negligence that could have harmed your child. By investigating your child’s accident, gathering evidence, and consulting experts, we work to hold negligent parties accountable.
Our lawyers consider every possible angle and investigate all potentially liable parties, including the following:
- Caregivers
- Healthcare providers
- Product manufacturers
- Property owners
- School districts
- Vehicle drivers
Compensation to Help Your Injured Child
If your child has sustained a serious injury, your family may incur significant medical expenses. These include:
- Emergency care and surgeries
- Medications
- Assistive devices
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
As your child recovers, you may face additional financial burdens. For example, you might need to take time off work to care for them, resulting in lost wages. Depending on the nature of your child’s injury, you might require a caregiver to provide in-home care, or you might need to make home and vehicle modifications to accommodate your child.
Other future expenses can include mental health counseling, educational support services, and ongoing medical care. Our team can help you pursue compensation to afford this care, along with damages for pain and suffering.
What Our Buffalo Injury Attorneys Can Do to Help Your Child
While you have all the love in the world to offer your child, you may not know where to start with a child injury case.
That’s where our team at Hiller Comerford can help. We’ll conduct a meticulous investigation to determine whether safety and supervision standards were met in the case of your child’s injury. With a specialized understanding of developmental impacts and future long-term needs, we consider all potential factors when calculating damages to ensure your family gets every penny of compensation you deserve.
Plus, we know how to negotiate with insurers. You won’t have to spend hours on the phone going back and forth. If the case needs to go to court, we’ll be in your corner, ready to advocate fiercely on your behalf.
Call Us Today
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, our firm takes a compassionate approach that puts your family first. If you’re dealing with a child injury, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help your family get justice.
FAQ: Buffalo Child Injury Accident Lawyer
What happens to the money if my child wins a settlement in Buffalo?
In Buffalo, NY, a child’s settlement must be approved by the court through an Infant’s Compromise Order, and a judge ensures the funds are in the child’s best interest. The money is typically placed into a restricted, court-supervised account that usually cannot be accessed until age 18, or in some cases, used to fund a structured settlement that pays out over time after the child becomes an adult. An attorney can help make sure the settlement structure properly protects the child’s long-term interests.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a child’s injury in Buffalo?
In most New York personal injury cases, the deadline is three years, but for children, the time limit is usually paused until they turn 18, meaning they generally have until age 21 to file. However, cases involving government entities like public schools or city transportation have much shorter deadlines, often requiring a Notice of Claim within 90 days. A child injury lawyer in Buffalo can review the facts early and make sure no critical deadlines are missed.
Can my child sue a friend’s parents if they were injured at a sleepover or playdate?
Yes, but the claim is typically made against the homeowner’s insurance, not the parents personally. In New York, property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe for guests, especially children, and if a child is seriously injured due to a dangerous condition or lack of supervision, insurance coverage is usually what provides compensation. Your Buffalo child injury attorney will evaluate liability and insurance coverage and determine the best path to recovery.
