Catastrophic injuries can dramatically change a person’s life, especially if they are a child. These painful injuries may occur due to accidents, negligence, or unsafe environments. As a parent or guardian, it can be emotionally challenging to watch your loved one suffer. On top of that, you are burdened with the task of managing long-term medical and care needs for them.
In New York, minor children cannot pursue a personal injury lawsuit on their own. So, the primary responsibility for filing a claim is the parents or guardians. This also includes gathering evidence, contacting the insurance company, reporting the accident to the police, hiring an attorney, etc. They must consider the child’s best interests before every step.
When it comes to reporting catastrophic injuries, it is important to act quickly. In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally three years. However, for minors, they have until their 21st birthday to initiate legal action. It is best to work with a personal injury lawyer to avoid losing your rights by missing a deadline.
What are the common catastrophic injuries in children in NYC?
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).
A sudden bump or blow to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury. In children, a TBI can range from minor concussions to severe head injuries, which can result in cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. This can affect their overall growth and development.
Children suffering from TBIs may experience difficulty in reading, learning, and processing. This can affect their academic performance and restrict social interactions.
Spinal cord injuries.
Spinal cord injuries can lead to various problems in children, from sensory loss to complete paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury. Such injuries often result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sports-related injuries.
A spinal cord injury can affect your child’s mobility and independence. Your child might need to undergo rehabilitation or physical therapy to recover from the injury completely and restore the quality of life.
Severe burn injuries.
Burn injuries can have a significant physical and emotional impact on a child’s life. Such injuries can result in severe complications, including infection, scars, and long-term cosmetic damage. This can lead to lower self-esteem and confidence in children, and they may experience adjustment problems.
Timely treatment is crucial to stop the problem from getting worse. In severe burn injury cases, children may also be required to undergo multiple surgeries and rehabilitation to heal completely.
Limb loss and amputation.
Many children lose their limbs due to traumatic injuries, infections, or congenital conditions. Children often have a difficult time adjusting to living with a single limb. It can be physically and psychologically challenging and requires an extensive approach to care, including surgeries and prosthetics.
Prosthetics come up as a life savior for children who have lost their limbs and help them to adapt and regain mobility.
Birth injuries.
Birth injuries are caused during labor and delivery, and the majority of them are caused due to medical negligence. Hypoxia is a serious condition where the child’s body does not get enough oxygen.
This can lead to cerebral palsy, affecting their sensory and motor functions and degrading their quality of life. Children with such injuries may require medical care and support throughout their lives.
The importance of immediate medical attention
Immediate medical attention and treatment are important to prevent the long-term effects of catastrophic injuries in children. Addressing these issues early can increase survival rates and improve the quality of life.
Since children have unique physiological and psychological characteristics, specialized pediatric trauma care is necessary to address the concerning issues.
Based on the severity of the injuries, children may require different surgeries and medical interventions, including fracture management, neurological interventions, and so on. Each treatment aims to restore function and mobility, reduce pain, and enhance overall recovery.
Take action today!
If your child has been involved in an accident and suffered severe injuries, talk to a personal injury attorney in New York to protect your child’s best interests.
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