Childhood injuries can be heartbreaking and more common than you may think. Unintentional injuries, like falls, burns, poisoning, drowning and road traffic are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. Every year, more than 12,000 kids under 19 years of age die because of unintentional injuries, and another 9.2 million are treated in emergency rooms.
The CDC Childhood Injury Report provides the most recent data, which gives an overview of the unintentional injuries listed above and many others. It’s good to have an idea where the highest risks lie so that you can coach your kids to be careful.
Common Causes of Child Injury that You Can Pursue Damages On
Here are just some events that cause child injury for which you may be eligible for compensation, according to Strom & Associates,Chicago-based attorneys specializing in child injury cases.
- Swimming pool mishaps
- Apartment accidents
- Daycare falls and injuries
- Car accidents
- Bicycle wrecks
- Dog bites
- Negligence
Wearing the right safety equipment can prevent some injuries and mitigate the severity of others. Perhaps the best defense is vigilance.
Watch for Signs
Here are some questions to help you determine if your child may have long-lasting issues due to an injury, according to Strom & Associates.
- “Has a child developed anxiety, depression, PTSD or other emotional health problems as a result of an accident?
- Has the child suffered permanent scars or disfigurement as a result of an accident? If so, will the child require cosmetic or reconstructive surgery?
- How has a child’s life been affected by his or her injuries? Has the child’s education been adversely impacted? Has the child suffered through a number of complex and frightening surgeries? Has the child’s ability to enjoy a sport or activity been impaired?“
Nonfatal Injuries
About 9.2 million kids visit the emergency department each year, with boys more likely to sustain injuries than girls. Falls were the major cause of nonfatal injury. According to the CDC report, nearly 3 million kids went to the ER for fall-related injuries. Of these, more than half were under 1 year of age. The likeliest causes by age, excluding falls, were:
- Kids age 0 to 9, being struck by or against an object or animal and insect bites and stings
- Kids age 10 to 14, being struck by or against an object or overexerting themselves
- Kids 15 to 19, being struck by or against an object, falls, and auto accident
Make sure that your kids are aware of the risks that have impacted other children and ask them to stay alert and make good decisions. No matter what you do to protect your children, an injury is always a possibility, and it’s not your fault. However, if your child is harmed through the negligence of another party, you may be eligible for compensation.
