Children are much more accident prone than adults but fortunately most of the time they suffer no major ill-effects. However if a child's injuries are serious, long lasting, and came about through someone else's fault, then you need to take specialist legal advice to make a child injury claim in order to protect their interests now and in the future. The legal system in England and Wales treats child's injury claims differently from those of adults. For example, the rules governing the time limit for making a claim for a child's injury does not begin until the child reaches eighteen. So effectively the child claimant has until he or she is 21 before any claim is time-barred. (However we still recommend that you notify us of the details of a potential child injury claim as early on as possible in all cases.)

Also a child's claim has to be handled on their behalf by a "litigation friend" who has to be approved by the Court. This is usually the parent or guardian but can be another adult who is not closely related. Significantly, any settlement of a child's injury case must be approved by a judge. The judge will also make provision for the investment of any settlement award until the child reached the age of 18. This is an important safety net to ensure that children's injury cases are dealt with justly. Both the child and their litigation friend require the kind of specialist advice we offer on a daily basis.

Regrettably, sometimes the worst happens and a child may suffer a catastrophic injury such as brain damage or a spinal injury which affects his or her whole future. In these cases we would pursue the responsible person or organisation (usually via their insurers) not only for damages for the child's injuries but for ongoing care and the loss of lifestyle and future earnings. You would not want to risk such a significant action being in inexperienced hands and we strongly urge you to appoint a specialist solicitor with a proven track record in child injury claims.

We have a long experience of handling child claims. We will be pleased to assist in these sensitive cases. Home visits can often be arranged nationwide, and you will offered a one to one service with a highly qualified children's injury solicitor. Contact us now on FREEPHONE 0800 731 7923 or you can fill in the claim form or e-mail us using ku.oc.sroticilossmialc@smialc.

Child's Injury Case Study

Miss B was an 8 year old child when she was a rear seat passenger involved in a road traffic accident. She received soft tissue injuries to her knee, nausea, dizziness, cuts and bruising. She was unable to enjoy social events for some months and was absent from school for 2 weeks. Miss B was awarded £3,250.00 and the sum was invested for her benefit until her 18th birthday.