Immokalee Child Injury Lawyer
Parents would do anything to protect their children, and sometimes filing a personal injury lawsuit is the best way to seek justice when a little one is hurt in an accident. At Cardinal Law, P.A., we have helped many families navigate the personal injury claims process when their child is injured. Our firm knows the laws that regulate settlements for child plaintiffs, and we use our knowledge to maximize the compensation our clients receive. If you have any questions, call us today to speak with our Immokalee child injury lawyer about your case.
How We Obtain Settlements for Minors
Most personal injury cases settle. Working with your lawyer, you negotiate with the other side for a fair settlement to cover medical bills, physical pain, and other losses. However, minors are legally unable to form contracts on their own, which means there’s a court-supervised process we must follow when settling a case.
Under Florida law, parents and guardians can settle a claim for less than $15,000 on their own and without the need of court approval. But more serious injuries will be worth more than that. Indeed, surgery or even a couple days in the hospital will easily exceed $15,000 in just medical bills. Our lawyers strive to obtain fair compensation for all medical care, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of income.
Generally, a judge must approve any settlement reached for a minor child that’s worth more than $15,000. The court’s role is to ensure the amount is fair. A judge might even appoint a guardian ad litem to represent your child’s interests. This happens if the judge does not believe the child’s parents or guardians are protecting the victim’s best interests.
Cardinal Law understands this court process well. If we reach an agreement with the defendant, we can present the settlement to a court for approval.
We also will need to park any settlement money in a special restricted account or annuity for your child. Parents who paid for medical care can seek reimbursement, but the bulk of a settlement—for pain and suffering, for example—belongs to your child. You can only gain access to the funds by permission of the court. And your child will only gain unrestricted access to the funds when they become an adult.
Following these rules is critical. A court might void a settlement if you try to work around the legal process. Parents should ensure they hire a personal injury lawyer with relevant experience negotiating child injury settlements.
Concerned Parents Should Call Us Today
Cardinal Law, P.A. has helped many families after their child was hurt in an accident. We can swing into action following a car crash, truck accident, bicycle accident, or pedestrian collision to find evidence and build a claim for compensation. We have also negotiated settlements for injuries suffered at school or during extracurricular events. If your child was hurt, don’t hesitate to contact our firm to speak with our Immokalee child injury lawyer in a free consultation.
