St. Louis Child Injury Lawyer

The St. Louis child injury lawyers of Morelli Law Firm extend our sympathy to you and your family as you navigate the process of helping your child cope with an injury. No matter if the injury is minor or catastrophic, if you’ve incurred medical costs, missed work, or your child is suffering, you and your child may qualify for a lucrative settlement. 

When you are ready to discuss the details of your child’s injuries with a legal professional, our St. Louis personal injury lawyers encourage you to consult with us in a free case review session. Our firm has over 40 years of combined experience in the field and a winning track record to match. 

Review the basics of filing a child’s personal injury case in Missouri to learn if your child’s injuries qualify and to learn the next steps you can take to protect them even further.

Obtaining Fair Compensation for Your Child’s Wellbeing

When evaluating the damages and compensation for a child’s injury case in St. Louis, the court will consider several key factors:

• Medical Expenses
  • Past and future medical costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, and any necessary assistive devices or equipment.
  • Projected expenses for long-term care and treatment based on expert medical evaluations.

• Lost Earning Potential
  • Estimates of the child’s future earning capacity, taking into account their age, education, skills, and the potential impact of the injury on their career prospects.
  • Consultation with vocational and economic experts to project the child’s likely career trajectory and earnings over their lifetime.

• Pain and Suffering
  • The severity and duration of the child’s physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from the injury.
  • Expert testimony from medical and psychological professionals to quantify the child’s pain and suffering.

• Caregiver Expenses
  • Compensation for any lost wages or income by the child’s parents or caregivers due to time off work to care for the injured child.
  • Costs associated with providing ongoing care, such as home modifications, specialized equipment, or the need for a full-time caregiver.

• Disruption to Education and Development
  • The impact of the injury on the child’s educational progress, including any need for tutoring, assistive technology, or alternative educational programs.
  • Consideration of the injury’s potential long-term effects on the child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development.

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
  • The impact of the injury on the child’s ability to participate in recreational activities, hobbies, and other aspects of a normal childhood.
  • Expert testimony to quantify the child’s diminished quality of life and loss of enjoyment.

• Punitive Damages (if applicable)
  • In cases where the court finds the responsible party’s actions to be particularly egregious or reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.

How to Know Legal Help Is Needed for Your Child’s Injury

If your child has been hurt and you are unsure if seeking legal help is worth it, consider the following as signs to speak with our legal time:

Serious or Catastrophic Injuries

If your child has sustained significant, life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, severe burns, or permanent disability, consulting a St. Louis catastrophic injury lawyer is necessary. These cases often involve complex medical evidence and long-term financial estimations.

Unclear Liability

When it’s not immediately clear who is at fault for your child’s accident or injury, an attorney can investigate the circumstances and determine liability. This is common in cases involving defective products, construction accidents, or incidents on someone else’s property.

Disputes with Insurance Companies

Insurance providers may try to downplay the extent of your child’s injuries or offer an inadequate settlement. Our experienced lawyers can negotiate forcefully with insurers to get you the full compensation your family deserves.

Ongoing Medical Treatment

If your child requires extensive, long-term medical care, future expenses can be difficult to estimate without legal guidance. A St. Louis child injury attorney can help you pursue damages to cover all anticipated healthcare needs if your child has gotten worse after treatment.

Time Constraints

In many states, there are strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing a child injury lawsuit. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for child injuries is typically five years from the minor’s 21st birthday, extending the typical deadline for other personal injury claims.

Weighing the Necessity of Hiring a Child Injury Lawyer in St. Louis

While evidence is a key component to winning a settlement, choosing the right lawyer is equally important. The advantage of retaining one of our child injury attorneys in St. Louis, MO, includes:

Knowledge of Damages

Skilled personal injury attorneys understand the full scope of damages that can be recovered, including medical expenses, future lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other long-term impacts. We ensure the claim comprehensively accounts for all losses.

Negotiation and Litigation Leverage

We know how to effectively negotiate with insurance companies and opposing parties to maximize the settlement value. Our track record is proof that we know how to counter lowball offers and advocate forcefully for a fair outcome. 

If a settlement cannot be reached, we proceed with preparing a strong case for trial, often prompting the responsible party to offer more to settle.

Access to Expert Testimony

Lawyers can bring in medical, financial, and other specialists like accident reconstructionists to provide testimony that supports the full breadth of damages. This bolsters the case and justifies higher compensation. The resources our firm brings to the table can truly make all the difference in securing the funds needed to support your child’s full recovery and future.

Get Compassionate Legal Help From a St. Louis Child Injury Lawyer

Your role as a parent is to shield your child from harm and ensure their well-being, even in the face of adversity. Seeking legal action against those responsible for your child’s injuries is an act of devoted, responsible parenting, and the Morelli Law Firm is here to help. 

Our knowledgeable St. Louis child injury attorney will fight tirelessly to hold the negligent parties accountable and secure the comprehensive compensation your family deserves. Let the money that we win provide financial support to cover your child’s medical needs, protect their future earnings potential, and provide the resources required for their complete recovery. 

Contact us today to discuss your case and take the first crucial stride toward justice for your child.