INJURIES TO CHILDREN
Children are energetic and playful, that’s what makes childhood so magical. Accidents are the number one cause of death for children, and serious injuries are all too frequent. Many of these injuries can be prevented and others cannot. If your child is injured and it’s somebody else’s fault, you will be seeking the best medical help for their injuries. You should also have the best legal representation if they are injured by the negligence of somebody else. They may be missing time from school, sports or other hobbies. You might even be losing time from work to care for them. You don’t have to go this alone. Wittenstein & Wittenstein has been helping injured children and their families for over 60 years.
FOREST HILLS, QUEENS INJURIES TO CHILDREN ATTORNEYS
The most common injuries in children are from Traffic Accidents (including car accidents, pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents.) Children are also injured in falls, swimming pools, and fires.
- Traffic Accidents: Children’s bodies can be more vulnerable in a collision, even if they are in a properly installed car seat. Playing balls outdoors, children will sometimes chase a ball into the street with dire consequences. You should tell your children to NEVER chase a ball into the street. Drivers that are not paying close attention, and/or turning a corner, may not see them.
- Falls: Unsafe conditions can be amplified when children are running, playing and not paying close enough attention to their surrounding. They may not notice a broken stair or a pothole.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Children should be closely supervised in a pool until they are about 12 years old, even if they are very good swimmers. A minor accident such as hitting their head on the side of the pool could turn into a catastrophe without somebody to take appropriate action. Uncovered and unfenced pools are what the law calls an “attractive nuisance” as children might decide to jump in!
Children can be shy about complaining about their injuries, so it’s good practice to make sure that they are thoroughly checked out either in an Emergency Room or by their pediatrician (depending on the severity of the injuries.) Make sure the doctor checks their neck, back, knees, shoulders and head, even if the child is not complaining, as these areas often have delayed impacts. Make sure to get a gym excuse note if the child will be going back to school, but won’t be able to play gym for some time.
If your child has a serious cut on their face or any other cosmetically sensitive area, take the child to a plastic surgeon for suturing. If you are at the Emergency Room with your child, insist that a plastic surgeon be called to do the suturing unless the cut is life-threatening due to loss of blood. The cosmetic result from a plastic surgeon’s suturing can mean the difference between a disfiguring scar and a little mark. Don’t be afraid to speak up for your child!
Head injuries in children can result in brain injuries which can be severe due to their developing brains. Brain injuries in children can cause the following problems:
- Seizures
- Vision Impairment
- Hearing Impairment
- Speech Impairment
- Paralysis
- Memory loss
- Moodiness
Orthopedic injuries in children tend to heal much more quickly and with less treatment. That said, it is important that these injuries are diagnosed and properly treated to prevent damage to growth plates. For more serious tears and fractures, a pediatric orthopedist should be consulted. If a child is having pain from soft tissue injuries, physical therapy can be very effective and can often reduce pain and limitations on range of motion very quickly. It is important that the practitioner is comfortable with, and has experience with, working with children.
If your child is injured in an accident, first get them the finest medical care, then seek the best legal representation. Call Wittenstein & Wittenstein for an appointment with Senior Partner Alyce Wittenstein, Esq., a lawyer and mom who will take care of your children. Call 718-261-8114.