Chattanooga Attorney for Injuries to Children.
Written by Joe DeGaetano, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney & Trial Lawyer
Cases involving injuries to children are particularly tragic and require particular skill and attention. Because children often have not fully matured physically and mentally at the time of their injuries, special care must be taken to ensure that a child's claim is not resolved until the full extent of his or her injury is known. Be wary of an insurance adjuster or claims handler who tries to entice you with a fast settlement of your child's claim. It would be an unfortunate mistake to accept an early settlement offer, only to discover later that your child was injured more seriously than it first appeared.
Proving a child's damages can present special challenges, given the fact that a child generally has no record of earnings and has not yet entered into a career field. By working with vocational experts and economists, however, we are able to forecast a child's future lost earnings even if a child is still in elementary school.
Another consideration in handling a child's injury claim is that any settlement of such a claim requires approval by a judge. Typically judges want to see that the settlement proceeds will be placed into a trust for the child's future benefit, or that the proceeds will be used to purchase an annuity contract that will pay certain guaranteed benefits when the child reaches certain ages or milestones. By working with trust lawyers, annuity brokers, and financial advisers, we are able to ensure that the settlement of a child's personal injury claim not only receives judicial approval, but also provides for the child's future medical, educational, and other needs.
In addition to the compensation received by an injured child, the child's parents generally are entitled to be compensated for the child's medical expenses until the child reaches the age of 18, as well as for the loss of the child's services until age 18.
If your child has been injured due to another person's carelessness or recklessness, I would be pleased to speak with you regarding any questions or concerns you may have. Please contact me or request a free evaluation of your child's case.
About the Author: Joe DeGaetano is a trial lawyer and former Assistant U.S. Attorney. He graduated second in his class from the University of Georgia School of Law, clerked at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, and represents clients in federal criminal defense and personal injury cases across Tennessee and Georgia. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. [Read Full Bio →]
Cases involving injuries to children are particularly tragic and require particular skill and attention. Because children often have not fully matured physically and mentally at the time of their injuries, special care must be taken to ensure that a child's claim is not resolved until the full extent of his or her injury is known. Be wary of an insurance adjuster or claims handler who tries to entice you with a fast settlement of your child's claim. It would be an unfortunate mistake to accept an early settlement offer, only to discover later that your child was injured more seriously than it first appeared.
Proving a child's damages can present special challenges, given the fact that a child generally has no record of earnings and has not yet entered into a career field. By working with vocational experts and economists, however, we are able to forecast a child's future lost earnings even if a child is still in elementary school.
Another consideration in handling a child's injury claim is that any settlement of such a claim requires approval by a judge. Typically judges want to see that the settlement proceeds will be placed into a trust for the child's future benefit, or that the proceeds will be used to purchase an annuity contract that will pay certain guaranteed benefits when the child reaches certain ages or milestones. By working with trust lawyers, annuity brokers, and financial advisers, we are able to ensure that the settlement of a child's personal injury claim not only receives judicial approval, but also provides for the child's future medical, educational, and other needs.
In addition to the compensation received by an injured child, the child's parents generally are entitled to be compensated for the child's medical expenses until the child reaches the age of 18, as well as for the loss of the child's services until age 18.
If your child has been injured due to another person's carelessness or recklessness, I would be pleased to speak with you regarding any questions or concerns you may have. Please contact me or request a free evaluation of your child's case.
About the Author: Joe DeGaetano is a trial lawyer and former Assistant U.S. Attorney. He graduated second in his class from the University of Georgia School of Law, clerked at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, and represents clients in federal criminal defense and personal injury cases across Tennessee and Georgia. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. [Read Full Bio →]