PERSONAL INJURY

New Jersey Child Injury Lawyer

Few things are as terrifying as the thought of your children sustaining serious injuries. Tragically, children suffer harm every day, regardless of how much their parents do to protect them. Parents, very understandably, often feel powerless in the wake of learning that their child has been hurt. Thankfully, no parent needs to navigate the legal aspects of the aftermath alone.

At Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, our New Jersey child injury lawyers understand how heartbreaking and overwhelming it can be when a young family member gets hurt. We’re here to help children and their families seek accountability and fair compensation during one of life’s most trying times.

If your child has suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentionally dangerous conduct, your family could be owed significant compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and options under the law for pursuing justice on behalf of your child.

Our Child Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Help

Since 1929, the dedicated attorneys of Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman have been standing up for the rights of New Jersey injury victims, including children and their families. Our relentless work ethic and considerable experience have earned us a reputation for effective and compassionate representation, even when handling the most challenging injury cases.

The aftermath of an injury can be stressful and life-changing for children and parents alike. Our knowledgeable team is here to take some of the pressure off you so your family can focus on the healing and recovery of your child.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

At Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, we do not charge you any fees upfront to start work on the personal injury case of your child. We will review the case for free, with no obligation to you. If we believe you have a claim for compensation as a result of your child’s injuries, we will do all the legal legwork with no out-of-pocket cost to you. When we recover compensation, our fee then comes as a percentage of that. If we don’t win, you don’t pay us. It’s that simple.

From our clients

I would recommend Richard Isolde to my family and friends, and he was accommodating in handling our case. He was always available by text, phone calls, and email. Most significantly, he helped us get what we deserved. Richard Isolde is always there for his clients and does whatever he can to get the job done.

Richard Isolde worked very hard on my case, making the impossible possible.
He was able to get the full amount up to the policy limit and then get punitive damages in addition. I understand that is a rare accomplishment. I am grateful for that and I congratulate him. Your firm was recommended to me by a friend and I will pay it forward by recommending him as well as PRA.

I used Mr. (SQ) Lee for a personal injury matter and could not have been any more pleased with his services. He understood my injury and helped me every step of the way. He was courteous and kind and I always felt better after speaking with him. His assistant, Sherrill, was also wonderful and together they made a great team! I would absolutely recommend them, and the firm, to anyone.

Common Types of Accidents that Injure Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies a “child injury” as any unintentional injury that affects a child or teenager who is 19 years old or younger. Research suggests that accidental injuries are the leading cause of death among children, as roughly 20 percent of all child deaths occur due to accidental injuries. Every four seconds a child requires medical attention from an emergency department, and every hour a child dies from an unintentional injury.

Statistics published by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development indicate that the most common types of accidents that lead to child injuries include:

Traffic accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of accidental injury and death throughout the U.S. Children are no exception to this grim statistic. CDC data shows nearly 150 children aged 19 and younger are treated for crash-related trauma in U.S. emergency departments every hour.

Suffocation

Suffocation, strangulation, and choking on food or foreign objects remain an ever-present risk. Common causes of such injurious circumstances include accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed, improper use of infant seating devices, and unsupervised play with small toys or other choking hazards.

Drowning

CDC data finds that roughly one-half of all children who visit emergency departments for drowning incidents require hospitalization or future care. Many drowning victims sustain permanent disabilities or brain damage from protracted lack of oxygen.

Poisoning

Poisoning is another common cause of childhood injury, especially among younger children who are not kept away from or properly supervised near common household poisons like cleaning solutions, pesticides, and medicines.

Burns

Studies demonstrate that younger children are more likely to suffer burn injuries after unwittingly coming in contact with hot liquids, objects, or steam. Older kids are more likely to get burned from coming in contact with fire.

Falls

The CDC reports that falls are the top cause of nonfatal injuries among children aged 19 and younger. Falls include both slip-and-falls and trip-and-falls onto the same level and falls from heights.

Tragically, in addition to unintentional injuries, many children also need emergency care for injuries resulting from domestic violence and abuse. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention estimates at least 3.3 million cases of mistreatment of a child each year, and at least 2,000 children die from abuse injuries annually.

Attractive Nuisances and Their Effects on Child Injury Lawsuits

Under certain circumstances, property owners have no particular responsibility to keep adult trespassers from suffering harm on their land. However, different rules apply to children who intentionally or unintentionally trespass onto someone’s property.

New Jersey law does not hold children to the same legal standards as adults. There is a presumption that children do not recognize or understand safety hazards as clearly as adults do, so property owners are expected to take special precautions to keep children from harm if there’s a likelihood of minors entering their premises.

New Jersey’s attractive nuisance doctrine outlines this unique legal responsibility. Under this doctrine, an attractive nuisance is defined as an artificial structure on someone’s land that is both enticing and hazardous to children. Common examples of attractive nuisances that children might find inviting include:

Uncovered swimming pools
Construction sites and debris
Ponds, lakes, and fountains
Industrial and yard work equipment
Uncovered holes and trenches
Slides, swings, and playsets

Property owners may be legally and financially liable if children sustain injuries after coming into contact with attractive nuisances on their premises. To recover compensation, injured parties typically must prove the existence of an attractive nuisance, that it was relatively easy for the child to trespass on the property, and the property owner’s failure to take reasonable safety precautions.

Calculating Costs Related to Children’s Injuries

Standard costs associated with serious childhood injuries include:

Ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, and doctor or specialist visits
Physical rehabilitation, therapy, and counseling
Durable medical equipment such as casts, braces, wheelchairs, or prosthetics
Parents’ lost wages from missed time at work
Accessibility modifications such as ramps, lifts, or widened entryways
Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life

These costs are just some of the reasons why it is important for parents to explore their legal options if their children sustain serious injuries. If other people should be held responsible for these costs, our dedicated team can help to ensure that your family’s finances aren’t burdened by them.

Our Victories

Nursing Home Settlements

Settlements from nursing home neglect cases involving contraction of pressure ulcers, falls with fractures or other injuries and infections have resulted in the following outcomes.

$750K

$750,000 for Defective Product in “Scalding Water Leak” Injury

A delivery driver brought his car in to the dealer for a water leak repair. A week later he returned because the leak continued. He was told to continue driving the car and return a few days later.

$2M

$2 Million Settlement in SUV Accident Case

A passenger in a SUV suffered a broken neck and other injuries when the vehicle rolled over because of the negligence of the driver and the failure of a tire.

$4.47M

$4.47 Million in Paralyzing Injury from Swimming Pool Diving Accident

When a 19-year-old woman dove into an above ground swimming pool, she fractured her neck and became a quadriplegic for life. There were no warning signs at the pool, although the law requires diving warnings.

$425K

$425,000 for Neck & Spinal Injuries in Missile Silo Clean-up “Missing Floor Fall”

While cleaning up an abandoned US Air Force missile silo, our client fell through an unmarked missing floor in a dark room. He suffered serious neck and spinal injuries, requiring two surgeries.

$1.1M

$1.1 Million Pre-Trial Settlement for Bus Accident Victim

A construction foreman, driving his pick-up truck south on the NJ Turnpike, was struck from behind by a commercial bus and forced across two lanes of traffic.

$700K

$700,000 to Diabetic Plumber Injured at Construction Site

Climbing down a ladder, a union plumber stepped on a nail protruding from wood left at a construction site in Jersey City by the general contractor or sub-contractors that had performed framing on the construction site.

$1.4M

$1.4 Million Dollar Settlement in Truck Accident

We obtained a $1.4 million dollar settlement on behalf of a driver whose vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer’s blown-out tire. Our client was driving his company vehicle when the Defendant’s tractor trailer had a tire blowout.

$95K

$95,000 for Man Injured in Auto Accident

A 47-year-old man received $95,000 in a settlement to compensate him for a serious fracture to his right wrist suffered in an auto accident. Although the fracture required surgery, the man made a good recovery from his injury.

$250K

Car accident victim suffering severe injuries awarded $250,000

A New Jersey driver swerved into an improperly installed guardrail/partition which, upon impact, impaled the vehicle and severed our client’s left leg. Despite a series of complex circumstances impacting liability, and our client passing away due to an unrelated medical condition, we settled the case for $250,000.

$200+ Million

Recovered for Clients

Personal Injury Practice Areas

Attorney Average Years in Practice

We do the work to prepare each case for trial, with the knowledge that our efforts are reflected in the outcomes we achieve.

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Who Can Be Held Liable in a Child Injury Lawsuit?

Liability is a critical component in any personal injury lawsuit, and a child injury lawsuit is no exception. The attorneys of Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman can help you identify potentially liable parties in your child’s injury case, such as:

A negligent driver or road user who contributed to a traffic collision
A property owner who failed to keep their premises safe and secure
A pet owner who failed to keep a dangerous dog confined or restrained
School staff who were negligent in providing proper care and supervision
A manufacturer that designed, assembled, labeled, or sold an unsafe product

What Is New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations for Injuries to Children?

When someone suffers an injury due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentionally dangerous conduct, that individual generally has the right to seek compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Victims typically have just two years to file personal injury lawsuits under New Jersey’s statute of limitations, but there are important exceptions to the law when children are involved.

If a person is under 18 when they suffer a preventable injury due to another party’s conduct, the typical two-year time limit is effectively paused until the injured person reaches legal adulthood. Regardless of this exception, it’s generally best for parents or guardians to promptly seek compensation on behalf of children since evidence and witness testimony become less reliable over time.

The attorneys of Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman can help you identify crucial deadlines for your child injury lawsuit and ensure that your case stays on track.

Speak with a Compassionate Child Injury Lawyer Today

When you need support from an experienced child injury lawyer in New Jersey, look no further than Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman. Our respected team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in fair compensation for injured people. The events that caused your child harm deserve to be heard, and your child’s pain and suffering addressed by the parties at fault.

Contact our firm today to discuss the details of your unique situation. We offer risk-free, confidential case evaluation sessions so that all parents of injured children can learn about their rights and options under the law.