There are various forms of negligence, malpractice, and carelessness that can lead to serious child injuries in and around Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Below, we describe some of the most common types of child injuries that may result from the negligence of another person or entity.
- Birth Injuries. Birth injuries in Gwinnett County are often the result of some type of medical negligence or medical malpractice by a healthcare provider, such as a doctor or attending nurse at the hospital or in the delivery room. In addition, medical malpractice can occur at some point before or after the child’s birth—and in some cases, during birth. Medical errors may involve the improper use of forceps during the birth, administering too much medication, and depriving the infant of oxygen during the birthing process. These and other medical errors can lead to significant and potentially lifelong consequences for the child, including cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and Klumpke’s palsy, among other serious disorders and problems.
- Head Injuries. Children’s heads and brains are not fully developed, and when a child suffers a serious traumatic head or brain injury, it can sometimes lead to irreversible symptoms and consequences. In many cases, head injuries are the result of someone else’s careless conduct. At other times, these injuries occur because of defective or poorly maintained equipment at facilities, nursery schools, and daycare centers. Also, child athletes can suffer head injuries due to sporting facilities and equipment that are not properly maintained or defective. If a child suffers a head injury after another child bullies him or her at school, the child’s parents may bring a claim against the school, school system, or board of education for negligent supervision.
- Motor vehicle accidents. Like adults, children in motor vehicle accidents as passengers can suffer extremely serious and debilitating injuries. Again, since children’s bodies are more delicate, the injuries that a child suffers in a car or truck accident may be more severe than what an adult might suffer. A child may suffer a head injury, broken bone, or soft tissue injury, for example. Motor vehicle accidents can result from various forms of negligence, including speeding, distracted driving, and other common violations of the Georgia road rules. Child injury victims can pursue monetary compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company and possibly from others.
- Inadequate supervision. Serious child injuries can also result from poor or inadequate supervision. Parents trust daycare providers, school staff, coaches, camp counselors, and schoolteachers to properly care for their children when they (the parents) are not around. When these individuals fail to adequately supervise children and an accident and injury results to the child, then the child’s parents have a valid legal claim against the negligent individual, school system, and/or board of education.
- Defective Products. When parents purchase products for their children, they expect that the products will work correctly and not cause injuries. Sadly, that does not always happen, and playground equipment, toys, and other products designed for children can be defective and cause injuries. Other potentially defective equipment that can lead to a child injury includes child safety seats and car seatbelts.
