Pittsburgh Child Injury Lawyers
Strong advocacy for infants, toddlers, youngsters, and teens who are seriously injured
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare – the call that your child is in the hospital. You start thinking about all the dreams you have for your child and whether they will still be able to come true. Any person or company that fails to prioritize the safety of your child deserves to be held accountable for the injuries the child suffers and the tragic deaths they cause.
At Carmody and Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers, our team understands the importance of being connected to family and community. We grew up here. We went to school. We’ve been practicing here for a combined 60 years. We’ll help your child obtain the justice your child deserves when drivers, property owners, birth doctors, manufacturers, and others make mistakes that cause your child harm. Our lawyers understand the unique liability and damage issues involved when children are injured. You can trust us to fight for your child’s future.
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What would you like to know?
- What are the most common ways children suffer injury?
- What types of child injury cases do your Pittsburgh lawyers handle?
- How is handling a child’s injury claim different than handling an adult’s claim?
- What Pennsylvania laws protect my child?
- What is the value of my child’s Pittsburgh accident claim?
- Do you have a child injury lawyer near me?
What are the most common ways children suffer injury?
Carmody and Ging handles every type of accident claim that harms children, including the following:
- Car accidents. Car accidents often injure children more severely than adults because children are smaller and lighter. Fathers and mothers need to make sure their children are restrained according to Pennsylvania child restraint laws. Drivers in residential neighborhoods need to be on the lookout for children.
- Birth injuries and medical malpractice. Newborns can suffer cerebral palsy and other lifelong injuries if the obstetricians and delivery team fail to anticipate known problems such as the possible loss of oxygen during delivery. Doctors who treat youngsters and adolescents need to properly diagnose and treat childhood injuries and illnesses, especially keeping in mind the child’s developmental needs.
- Dog bites. Young children often fail to appreciate the danger that a dog may bite. They just see a cute dog they want to play with. Dog owners who know their dog is dangerous should take steps to ensure children aren’t bitten by their dogs. Dog bites can cause infections, puncture wounds, crush injuries, scarring, and death.
- Attractive nuisance accidents. Children are curious; sometimes too curious. If a child sees a swimming pool, trampoline, or some other attraction, they may be tempted to try it without thinking about whether they have permission to swim or jump. Pennsylvania recognizes this danger and does require that property owners take steps such as installing fencing to protect your child from drowning, head trauma, and other injuries.
- School activities. Bus drivers need to drive carefully to and from school and extra-curricular activities. Complaints about teacher or staff misconduct should be reviewed. Recreational activities require supervision. Your child’s school may be responsible if injuries occur to your child during school hours. Sadly, schools also need to review the possibility of shootings by former students and others.
- Defective products. Our child injury lawyers file claims against manufacturers of defective cribs, medications, clothing (such as flammable clothing), toys, and other products that harm children.
Our Pittsburgh child injury lawyers also file claims on behalf of children when pedestrian, bicycle, amusement park, daycare, and other types of accidents happen.
If your child tragically dies due to the fault of others, we file a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.
What types of child injury cases do your Pittsburgh lawyers handle?
At Carmody and Ging, our Pittsburgh child injury lawyers work with your child’s doctors and our network of obstetricians, pediatricians, specialists, and general practitioners. We focus on doctors who understand the unique physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges involved with diagnosing and treating children. Our lawyers are skilled at handling all types of injuries to your child, including:
- Traumatic amputation
- Fractures/broken bones
- Sexual assaults
- Vision or hearing loss
- Birth injuries, including cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and HIE
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Burn injuries
- Damaged lungs, kidneys, and other organs
- Failure to diagnose childhood cancer
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Other serious injuries
Treatment challenges often differ for children compared to adults. For example, medication dosages are usually smaller for children. We work to show the long-term consequences of your child’s injuries, including the care they may need for the rest of their lives.
At Carmody and Ging, we’ll guide you and your child through the claims process. Some of the key considerations when children are hurt are:
- Parents file the claim on behalf of their children. A legal guardian may also file the claim.
- The laws for contributory negligence are different. Generally, young children cannot be found negligent, children are presumed to be not negligent, and older children may be found negligent in some cases.
- There are rules for settling the claim of a child. Generally, a judge must approve the settlement. The settlement proceeds are usually placed in a trust or an annuity.
A practical difference is how children communicate. Your doctors and our lawyers help children express how the accident happened and where they’re hurting. Our Pittsburgh child injury lawyers also explain how much time you have to file a claim on behalf of your child.
What Pennsylvania laws protect my child?
Many child safety laws govern protecting children who are in a car. Pennsylvania has different child restraint requirements depending on the child’s age:
- Children up to 2 years old must “be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer.”
- Children up to 4 years must “be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle.”
- Children 4-8 years old must be restrained in a proper booster seat.
- Children 8 years and older must wear a seatbelt.
Children under 12 must wear a helmet while they are riding a bicycle. There are many other laws that may help your child’s accident claim, which our lawyers can explain in a consultation.
What is the value of my child’s Pittsburgh accident claim?
Your child deserves full compensation when his/her injuries are caused by others. Our Pittsburgh child injury attorneys prepare very specific detailed letters that demand damages for all your child’s current and future medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of function. In some cases, we may also demand lost income if your child had an earning history.
Do you have a child injury lawyer near me?
Our North Shore office is located at 801 Vinial Street in Pittsburgh. We’re on the 3rd floor of the Deutschtown Center building right across the street from Penn Brewery. You should be able to park onsite. If you can’t reach us by car:
- There’s a bus stop on Troy Hill Road, around the corner.
- We conduct video conferences.
- Carmody and Ging also meets clients at hospitals and other locations when necessary.
We’ll talk to your child, if you are okay with it, so he or she understands about our role in the process for seeking justice. We’ll talk to you about the unique challenges and rewards of helping children obtain just compensation for their injuries. We fight aggressively if your child tragically died due to a Pittsburgh accident.
Contact our Pittsburgh child injury lawyers now
Your child deserves a long healthy and happy life. When accidents to newborns, youngsters, and adolescents happen, you need personal injury lawyers with the experience and resources to help your child get his/her life back on track. At Carmody and Ging, we’ve earned the praise of former clients, insurance adjusters, and defense lawyers for our dedication, preparation, and ability to craft the strongest case possible. Our North Shore lawyers are connected to the Pittsburgh community. We have children of our own. To schedule a free consultation with a respected Pittsburgh child injury lawyer, please call 412.455.3158 or fill out our contact form. We represent families and clients of all ages throughout Western Pennsylvania.
