Child Injuries in WA

Kennewick Child Injury Lawyers

Strong advocacy when newborns, toddlers, children, and teenagers are injured in WA

You do everything you can to protect your child, but some things are beyond your control. Every child will scrape a knee now and then, but no child should be injured due to the carelessness of others.

At Telaré Law, our Kennewick personal injury lawyers are skilled at fighting for children when accidents occur. As parents ourselves, we understand how and why childhood injuries are unique, and the long-term consequences they face. We are respected across the Tri-Cities region for our preparation, tenacity, and persuasiveness, which has led to a remarkable record of settlements and verdicts. Don’t hesitate to get the help your child needs; call Telaré Law today.

Practice Areas

Telaré Law PLLC in WA

How can we help?

What types of accidents cause injuries to children in Kennewick?

Many accidents that happen to adults also happen to children. Some like birth injuries are, by definition, unique to children. Children can be hurt because of the activities they engage in, the people they trust, and the products they use.

Telaré Law files personal injury lawsuits on behalf of injured children and their families across Washington. Contact us to learn more about our work regarding:

  • Medical malpractice and birth injuries. We handle the catastrophic medical malpractice cases where your child never has a chance at the full life others have. We represent children who suffer cerebral palsy, birth defects, and other lifetime disorders. Our lawyers work with independent doctors to show how physicians failed to anticipate, treat, or respond to complications during the delivery and post-delivery. Our Kennewick birth injury lawyers handle child injury cases where your newborn will not be able to care for themselves when he or she becomes an adult.
  • Car accidents. Car accidents are a leading cause of childhood injury, and the repercussions can last a lifetime. Brain trauma can cause cognitive difficulties, and even broken bones can affect a child’s physical development.
  • Attractive nuisance accidents. Generally, property owners in Kennewick are responsible if anyone is harmed in their home or business, but there are specific rules regarding children and “attractive nuisances.” When a neighborhood child is injured using the homeowner’s trampoline or drowns while using their pool – regardless of whether the child had permission to be on the property or not – the property owner can be held liable.
  • Dog bites. Children, especially young children, don’t appreciate the dangers of the animals they try to pet. Dog bites can damage bone and muscle, leaving permanent scars and disfigurement. Cat scratches can lead to infections, and blunt force trauma caused by livestock can leave a child with internal organ damage, brain trauma, and multiple broken bones.
  • Product defects. The manufacturers of products for newborns and children of all ages need to place the safety of the child before their profits. Many childhood products are subject to recalls on a regular basis. The manufacturers should be held liable if their medications, cribs, packaging, toys, sleepwear, bicycles, or other products are defective.

Other common causes of childhood accidents include:

  • Amusement park accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Daycare accidents
  • Accidents at school
  • School bus accidents
  • Accidents involving recreational activities

The supervising adults and the organizations that sponsor or run certain activities may be responsible. Our Kennewick child injury lawyers understand the responsibilities of adults for each type of accident. We work with investigators, product safety experts, and others to show that a person, business, or organization failed to protect your child when the accident occurred.

What are Washington’s car seat laws?

Washington has laws that govern the security of a child while traveling in a vehicle. According to the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Washington Child Passenger Restraint Law (RCW 46.61.687) says:

  • Children up to age 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat.
  • Children ages 2 to 4 must ride in a car seat with a harness (rear or forward-facing).
  • Children 4 years and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4’9’’ in height.
  • Children up to age 13 must ride in the back seat when practical.

What are common types of child injuries in Kennewick?

At Telaré Law, our Kennewick injury lawyers represent children who suffer catastrophic injuries as a result of another person or entity’s negligence. We handle complex claims other firms cannot, including:

  • Birth injuries including cerebral palsy, HIE, and brachial plexus injuries
  • Brain injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Wrongful death
  • Broken bones
  • Internal organ damage
  • Infections
  • Scarring and disfigurement

Why treatment is different for children than for adults

Physicians need to understand the unique issues involved with treating children. They need to anticipate how the child’s smaller body and continual growth could be affected, and how it can stunt their ability to mature into healthy adults. The younger the child, the less able the child is to communicate his/her aches, pains, and worries, which means the risk of a missed diagnosis is high.

Finally, doctors must speak with parents regarding medication, and the potential effects it could have on a child. Some medications are not meant for children, and a prescribing error could cause long-term damage.

How is filing an injury lawsuit different when the victim is a child?

Filing a claim on behalf of a child is different than filing one for an adult. For example, it will be the parents who file the lawsuit, not the injured child. Your child may be too young to articulate what happened to him or her, or may struggle to explain what happened, especially to a judge.

The damages are likely to be more extensive, too. The need for medical bill coverage, compensation for your child’s pain and suffering, and payment any disability – may last into the 22nd century. The compensation award is normally made part of a structured settlement so that the child has the funds to pay for all his/her medical bills for the rest of his/her life. Generally, a judge must approve any settlement on behalf of a child.

Finally, the rules of contributory negligence are different, in that younger children are generally presumed incapable of negligence based on their age and maturity. Even the statute of limitations may be different, and injury claims may be tolled until the child turns 18.

Do you have a child injury lawyer near me?

Telaré Law maintains an office in Kennewick at 819 South Auburn St. We also meet parents and children in Richland. When necessary, we meet families away from the office.

Talk to a respected Kennewick child injury lawyer today

Other personal injury firms throughout Southeast Washington refer cases to Telaré Law because they know we can get the job done. We understand how frightening it is to learn your child has suffered an injury and how devastating it is to learn your child tragically died in an accident. Our lawyers demand compensation for all your child’s economic and non-economic losses.

To discuss your right to compensation, call our Kennewick child injury lawyers at 509-737-8500 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent children involved in accidents on a contingency fee basis. Our firm represents families in and around Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and all Southeast Washington.