San Diego Child Injury Lawyer

While pain, suffering, and injuries can affect anyone, they never seem as atrocious or frustrating than when they are sustained by children. This is especially the case when these injuries are avoidable, unnecessary, or malicious. While San Diego is certainly a beautiful place to live, we would be sadly mistaken to think it’s a perfect utopia where children are never harmed. Tragically, our San Diego child injury lawyers have seen first hand, children are injured every day.

The Most Common Causes of Childhood Injuries

For children, there are dangers everywhere. These injuries can be attributed to poor judgment, lack of self-defense, malicious behavior, or plain bad luck. Either way, many child injuries can and should be prevented. Here are a few of the most common causes.

• Fall Injuries.  The leading cause of non fatal injuries in children are fall related according to the Center for Disease Control’s study on unintentional injuries in children.
• Birth Injuries. Whether it’s a new doctor or seasoned professional, injuries often occur during birth. Because of the fragile nature of babies, these can be life-threatening or cause long-term side effects.
• Car Accidents. Just as adults are susceptible to injuries related to car accidents, so are children. In fact, children may be subjected to increased levels of risk because of defective car seats or other insufficient security features. Children age 5 – 19 have the high rate of injury due to car and traffic accidents.
• Playground Accidents. Equipment on playgrounds is required to undergo various levels of testing. If not properly tested, slides, swings, and other equipment can inflict harm on the children using them.
• Swimming-Related Accidents. When swimming pools are improperly managed or designed, serious injury or death can result in children who are unable to swim. These injuries or deaths are almost always avoidable and unnecessary. The overwhelming majority of these injuries and fatalities occur in residential settings.
• Ingestion of Dangerous Substances. Because children often lack sound judgment, they are exposed to further risk. Traditional household substances like cosmetics, medication, and cleaning supplies among others can pose a risk. When ingested, these can cause serious internal damage and allergic reactions.
• Premises Liability. Restaurants, stores, and other places of business owe their customers a right to safety and security. Because children are much smaller in nature than adults, it is often difficult for them to safely navigate stairs, doors, and other features. Often, slip and fall type injuries and accidents result.

If your child was harmed in any of these scenarios, or through any form of negligent behavior, contact a San Diego child injury attorney for immediate legal advice. Our firm offers free consultations- call today.

Common Childhood Injuries

These causes and many more can lead to a variety of injuries – both physical and emotional in nature. Here are a few of the most common:

• Head Injuries. When force to the head is involved, serious injury can result.  These injuries can be external (typical scalp lacerations) or internal. Traumatic brain injury is probably the most serious and involves the jarring of the brain inside the skull. This can lead to severe headaches, concussion, internal bruising, brain damage, trauma, or death.  Kid’s Health has a step by step guide on what parents should do if their child suffers a head trauma.

• Broken Bones. When children are in the growing stage, their bones are susceptible to an increased risk of injury. Broken bones often occur in the arms, legs, wrists, digits, or collarbone.

• Burns. Burns are another common childhood injury. These can result from exposure to electricity, fire, or hot water. Burns are significant because they can cause permanent damage and scarring. If you’re child was seriously burned, visit our site dedicated to helping severe burn victims.

• Internal Damage. When ingesting foreign substances or involved in high-force accidents, children can experience internal damage to tissue and organs.

• Psychological Issues. Physical injuries aren’t the only things reported. Often, the circumstances regarding the accident and the severity of the pain following can leave a child with psychological issues in the future. This includes stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression.

Children in Fatal Accidents in San Diego

Source: San Diego County Medical Examiner Annual Reports

Accidental deaths, according to the report, typically include: asphyxia, drowning, car accidents, fall and animal related (horse), burns or blunt force trauma. The most common fatal accidents between 2011 and 2014 were consistently asphyxia (choking/aspiration) and drowning. Besides homicide, other fatal accidents included SIDS and bed sharing- something all parents should be aware of to prevent child injuries or fatalities. In 2016, the most current year recorded, more children died either as an occupant or pedestrian in a motor vehicle accident in San Diego County.

What to Do When Your Child Is Hurt In San Diego

If your child has suffered an injury related to improper care by a nanny or guardian, defective products, malicious behavior, or other cause, it’s important to seek prompt legal representation. A San Diego child injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process and give you an idea of what type of compensation you can receive.

Liljegren Law Group – San Diego Child Injury Attorneys

For a San Diego injury lawyer who cares about the well-being of your child, contact the Liljegren Law Group today. We would be happy to help your family receive the damages you are rightly owed.