Steps Parents Should Take when Their Child Gets Hurt

Ask any parent and they will tell you how hard it can be to keep an eye on small children at all times. Their natural curiosity can lead them to get into all sorts of mischief. Unfortunately, dangerous situations and the reckless or negligent actions of others can cause your child to suffer serious personal injuries. The following provides simple steps in how to handle these situations and to ensure your child gets the help they need.

Children’s Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidents are the leading cause of serious, potentially disabling, and in some cases, life-threatening injuries among children. More than 9.2 million children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year as a result of these injuries. Tragically, in roughly 12,000 cases, these injuries end up proving fatal. Among the most common places in which accidents and injuries involving young children occur include:

• Schools and daycares;
• Public places, such as parks, restaurants, and grocery or retail stores;
• When riding their bikes on neighborhood streets or on public trails;
• In parking lots and on sidewalks;
• While engaged in sports and recreational activities;
• During visits to friends’ or neighbors’ homes.

The National Institutes Of Health (NIH) reports that the most common types of children’s injuries include poisoning, burns, broken bones, cuts and lacerations, and drownings. Head, neck, and spinal cord injuries are unfortunately common, and are often caused by falls or by car, bike, and pedestrian accidents.

What to Do When Your Child Gets Hurt

When your child is hurt, nothing is more important to you then getting them the help they need. While it is not easy to remain calm in these situations, it is important to think rationally so you can take the steps needed to protect yourself and your child. Even minor injuries can have a significant impact on your child’s long-term health and development, and protecting your rights in terms of filing a claim is vital to ensuring they get the quality of care they need.

For children’s injuries, it is important to follow many of the same steps that apply to adults when accidental injuries occur:

• Immediately notify the property or facility owner or manager, the homeowner, or local law enforcement.
• Make note of contact information for any witnesses who may have seen how the accident occurred.
• Seek medical attention for your child, even if the accident was minor or they are not experiencing any symptoms.
• Do not discuss your child’s accident or injuries with other parents, the property owner, or their employees, and refrain from posting about it on social media.

One of your top priorities in these situations should be to ensure your child is covered for medical care and any long-term disabilities they suffer. For this, you will need the help of a personal injury attorney experienced in handling these types of cases. Call or contact the Johnston Law Firm online today to request a free consultation at our Portland office to see how we can help.