Legal Representation for Child Injuries

Expert Legal Representation for Child Injuries

When your child suffers an injury, it’s more than just a physical pain. It’s a traumatic experience for the whole family. Troutman Law Office, with over 40 years of experience, offers comprehensive legal services to ensure your child's rights are protected and justice is served. Our law offices in Louisville, KY and Lexington, KY are fully equipped to handle cases in Kentucky and Ohio.

Call us today for legal assistance.

When to Seek Professional Help for Child Injuries

Recognizing the signs that it’s time to consult a child injury attorney can prevent further complications and ensure your child's rights are upheld. If you notice any of the following, contact Troutman Law Office immediately:

• Severe physical injuries
• Long-term emotional distress
• Negligence by a caregiver or institution
• Complications from medical treatments
• Abuse or bullying incidents
• Accidents at school or daycare

Child Injury Claims

These claims have a long statute of limitations, and you may want to take advantage of this time to make sure you fully understand the child's injuries. As you are probably aware, any claim for personal injury has a time limitation. For instance, in Kentucky, a motor vehicle accident claim has a two-year time limit from the date of the last no-fault payment.

However, when the claim involves a minor, the law provides additional time to file a claim. The minor has until one year after the age of majority (18). As your child injury lawyer, Attorney Matt Troutman knows it's important to present a claim within the allowable statute of limitations.

A minor does not have the same time limits as an adult, and that can be helpful in certain situations, such as the following:

• The child is too young to communicate the symptoms he or she may be feeling: If your child is under the age of five at the time of their injury, it may be impossible for them to communicate the nature of the symptoms they are feeling and they may not even understand what they are feeling is a symptom at all. If there is any doubt that your child is fully recovered, you may want to wait before you settle the claim. Once you settle, it is over forever. Even the doctors may not be able to determine if your child is still injured if the child is unable to communicate or understand all their symptoms. If your child is under a mental or physical disability it may be even wiser to wait longer to resolve the claim.
• The full effect of an injury may not be known until the child is a teenager: If your child suffers a concussion, which is a brain injury, and they seem to be doing fine at home with their activities, you may want to wait to see how they perform in school over a few years before settling their claim. They could have a permanent brain injury that may not be noticeable except when they attempt the higher functions of the brain. You will want to make sure they are fully tested and are old enough to be fully tested before resolving their claim. Another example of delayed effects of an injury includes a fracture to the growth plate of a bone. If there is a fracture in the growth plate, the bone may heal fine, but the growth of the bone may be disturbed. This may not be visible until years later when your child becomes fully grown. They may have a leg or arm that is not quite as long as the other because of the fracture in the growth plate. This can cause them difficulty throughout their lives.

Child Injury Lawyer Must Obtain Court Approval of All Minor Settlements

After your child injury lawyer has obtained a settlement from the at-fault party, in most cases, that settlement must be approved by your local probate court. This process can delay the resolution of your claim. Additionally, if the settlement exceeds $10,000, a guardian must be appointed and the money must be placed into a blocked account for the child.

Once the money is placed in a blocked account, no money can be withdrawn without an order from the probate court. If the settlement is below $10,000, the settlement simply needs to be approved by the probate court, and it may or may not be required to be placed in a blocked account. Different courts throughout the state vary in their requirement of a blocked account for settlements under $10,000. Troutman Law Office, as your child injury attorney, will file the necessary probate papers to have your settlement approved and placed in a blocked account. Your child will be able to obtain this money when they reach 18 years of age.

The reason that the probate court must approve child settlements is because many parents take the child's money. The court is there to make sure the child receives a fair settlement and that their money is protected. A parent cannot attempt to use the money to provide what they should already be providing for the child, such as clothing, food, and shelter. You can make a motion before the probate court seeking early release of some of the settlement monies if the child has an immediate need.

In most cases, it is better to wait until they are 18. We recommend to our clients to not even tell the child about the settlement, and then to give them a bank statement for their 18th birthday. That may be the best birthday gift you can ever give them. Hopefully, you can teach them the value of money before they are 18 so that they do not blow the settlement on something that does not last.

Advantages of Hiring a Professional Child Injury Attorney

Securing the services of a seasoned professional from Troutman Law Office can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Here’s what you can expect:

• Expertise in child injury laws
• Comprehensive case evaluations
• Personalized legal strategies
• Excellent communication throughout the process
• Emergency consultations at home or hospital
• Direct access to an experienced attorney

Turn to us for the legal support your child needs.

Key Benefits of Choosing Troutman Law Office

We’re committed to providing exceptional legal services tailored to your individual needs. Here’s what sets us apart:

• 24/7 answering service
• Locally owned since 1986
• Licensed in Kentucky and Ohio
• Free and same-day consultations
• Zoom consultations available
• Personal attention to each client

Troutman Law Office is here to offer the support and legal expertise you need. Get in touch today.

Contact Us

Don’t wait to get the help your child deserves. Contact Troutman Law Office today to discuss the case and secure the legal representation you need.