Mintz Law Firm
When a child suffers an injury due to someone else's negligence, the emotional and financial toll on the family can be overwhelming. Children are among our most vulnerable population, and they depend on adults to keep them safe from harm, yet accidents at schools, daycares, playgrounds, and public spaces continue to threaten their well-being. These injuries can affect a child's development, future opportunities, and quality of life for years to come.
At Mintz Law Firm, we understand the unique challenges families face when pursuing justice for an injured child. With over 300 years of combined legal experience and approximately $20 million recovered annually for clients since 2016, our Denver child injury attorneys have the knowledge and resources to handle even the most complex cases involving minors. Managing attorney Eric C. Staton has over 15 years of experience helping injured individuals throughout Colorado, including securing a $300,000 settlement for a minor child injured by a dangerous dog.
Understanding Child Injury Claims in Colorado
Child injury claims differ significantly from adult injury cases due to special legal protections afforded to minors under Colorado law. Children under 18 cannot file lawsuits on their own behalf, so a parent or legal guardian must initiate the claim. Additionally, Colorado's statute of limitations for minors operates differently than for adults, giving injured children more time to seek compensation for their injuries.
These cases require careful documentation and a thorough understanding of how injuries may affect a child's long-term development, education, and future earning capacity. Medical professionals must evaluate not only current injuries but also potential complications that may arise as the child grows. Our team works with pediatric medical specialists, therapists, and other professionals to build comprehensive cases that account for both immediate and future needs.
Common Causes of Child Injuries in Denver
Children may suffer injuries in various settings throughout the Denver metropolitan area. School accidents involving playground equipment, sports activities, or inadequate supervision can result in serious harm. Daycare facilities have a legal duty to provide safe environments, yet negligence in hiring practices, staffing ratios, or facility maintenance can lead to preventable injuries.
Premises liability accidents at stores, restaurants, or recreational facilities often affect children who may not recognize dangerous conditions like wet floors, unmarked hazards, or defective equipment. Swimming pool accidents, dog bite incidents, and injuries involving defective products or toys also rank among the common causes of childhood injuries in our community.
Motor vehicle accidents present another significant risk, whether children are passengers in cars, pedestrians crossing streets near schools, or cyclists navigating Denver's roads. These collisions can result in catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation.
Establishing Liability in Child Injury Cases
Proving liability in child injury cases requires demonstrating several key elements. First, we must establish that the responsible party owed a duty of care to the child. Schools, daycares, property owners, and drivers all have specific legal obligations to protect children from foreseeable harm.
Next, we must show that the defendant breached this duty through negligent actions or failure to act. This might involve inadequate supervision, failure to maintain safe premises, defective products, or reckless behavior. We gather evidence including accident reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, and documentation of safety violations.
We then connect the breach of duty directly to the child's injuries through medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence demonstrating causation. Finally, we document the full extent of damages, including medical expenses, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and potential impacts on the child's future opportunities.
Compensation Available for Injured Children
Children injured due to negligence may recover various forms of compensation through personal injury claims. Economic damages cover quantifiable losses such as emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, and ongoing therapies. These cases must also account for future medical needs, as childhood injuries may require treatment extending into adulthood.
Non-economic damages address the child's pain, suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. For serious injuries causing permanent disabilities, these damages may include compensation for future limitations on activities, career opportunities, and life experiences. Parents may also recover compensation for their own losses, including medical expenses paid, lost wages from caring for an injured child, and emotional distress.
In cases involving egregious negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Our team thoroughly evaluates every potential source of compensation to ensure families receive the full recovery they deserve.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
While Colorado law provides additional time for minors to file personal injury claims, gathering evidence and building a strong case becomes more difficult as time passes. Witnesses' memories fade, physical evidence disappears, and defendants may destroy documentation. Early involvement of an experienced attorney allows us to secure crucial evidence, identify liable parties, and protect your child's legal rights.
Prompt medical attention also strengthens your case by creating contemporaneous documentation of injuries and treatment. Delays in seeking care may allow insurance companies to argue that injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the incident in question.
Protecting Your Child's Settlement
When minors recover compensation through personal injury settlements or verdicts, Colorado law requires court approval to protect the child's interests. Settlement funds typically must be placed in restricted accounts or structured settlements that prevent premature spending and ensure money remains available for the child's future needs.
Our attorneys guide families through this process, working with financial advisors when appropriate to structure settlements that maximize long-term benefits. We explain all options clearly and advocate for arrangements that best serve each child's unique circumstances and needs.
Choose Mintz Law Firm for Your Denver Child Injury Case
At Mintz Law Firm, our 12 attorneys average 20 years of experience each, providing families with the depth of knowledge necessary to handle complex child injury claims. Founder David J. Mintz has represented injured people throughout Colorado and across the country for more than 35 years, while our team collectively brings over 300 years of combined experience to every case. We view our clients as people, not numbers, and we truly care about your family's well-being.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won't pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your child. Our personal injury lawyers promise to remain in regular contact throughout every step of the legal process, ensuring you understand your options and feel confident in the decisions affecting your child's future. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help your family pursue the justice and compensation your child deserves.
contact us
schedule your free consultation
