Whether it's a fall at a daycare center, an accident on unsafe playground equipment, or an injury caused by a defective toy, seeing your child hurt is every parent's nightmare. At Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet, our Kansas City child injury lawyers understand the emotional and financial toll the entire family experiences when a child is seriously injured.
We believe that preventing injuries is just as important as helping families recover compensation when accidents do occur. That's why we've created this informative guide to preventing serious child injuries. Our legal team is committed to helping Kansas City parents understand common injury risks and preparing them to act proactively to protect their children.
Serious Child Injuries That Commonly Occur
Children are naturally curious and energetic, a charming reality that can, unfortunately, sometimes put them at risk for serious injuries. The most common serious child injuries include:
Falls
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in children under 15, resulting in well over 2 million emergency department visits each year. Falls can cause broken bones, severe cuts, or even brain injuries that require immediate medical attention and can have lasting effects on a child's development.
Choking and Suffocation
Choking and suffocation pose significant risks for younger children who tend to put objects in their mouths. Small toys, food items, and household objects can become dangerous choking hazards that impair breathing in seconds
Burns
Burns from hot liquids, surfaces, or fires are a major injury risk for kids. A young child's skin is naturally sensitive, which makes kids susceptible to severe burns that may need extensive medical treatment.
Vehicle-Related Injuries
Vehicle-related injuries remain a serious concern, whether from car accidents or being struck while walking or cycling. Injuries arising from this type of incident often result in severe trauma that may require long-term medical care.
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can have serious immediate and long-term consequences for growing children. Concussions, in particular, often have a lingering impact.
Key Injury Prevention Strategies for Parents to Know
It’s important for parents to take measures to help protect their children against injuries proactively. Key injury prevention strategies include:
Take Safety Measures at Home
Create a safe home environment for your children by installing safety gates, window guards, and cabinet locks. Inspect your home regularly for potential hazards like loose rugs, exposed electrical outlets, or unstable furniture that could tip over.
Require Kids to Use Appropriate Safety Equipment
Always use appropriate safety equipment for activities. This includes requiring your kids to properly fitted helmets for biking and knee pads for skating, as well as using age-appropriate car seats or booster seats for every car ride.
Supervise Children During Activities
Always supervise children during activities, particularly around water or when heights are involved. Young children can quickly get into dangerous situations, so active and constant supervision is essential.
Choose Age-Appropriate Activities and Equipment
Choose age-appropriate toys and equipment for your kids. Check labels for recommended age ranges and regularly inspect items for damage or wear that could make them unsafe.
Educate Children About Safety Rules
Teach children basic safety rules in an age-appropriate way. This includes teaching them to look both ways before crossing streets, avoid hot surfaces, and recognize when to ask an adult for help.
What to Do If Your Child Is Injured
Despite your best efforts to keep your child from getting hurt, injuries sometimes occur. Knowing what to do if your child gets hurt is important so you are prepared to act promptly.
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Seek immediate medical attention for any injury. Even if an injury seems minor at first, some conditions can worsen without immediate medical treatment.
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Report the incident in which your child was injured to the appropriate authorities. Depending on the circumstances of the injury, this might include the school, daycare center, property owner, or local law enforcement.
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Preserve visual evidence of the injury and the scene where it happened. Take photos of the injury itself and photograph or shoot a video of the location where it occurred.
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Preserve additional relevant evidence, such as keeping any defective toys, products, or equipment that could have contributed to the accident.
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Keep records of medical care related to the injury. Document all medical care your child receives in relation to the injury and keep records of expenses.
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Document your child's recovery throughout the entire process. Keep a journal noting their symptoms, limitations, and how the injury affects their daily life and activities.
Seek legal guidance to preserve your child’s rights if their injuries may be the result of misconduct, negligence, or faulty products. The Kansas City child injury lawyers at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet are here to help you understand your legal options in a pediatric injury case and seek the fair compensation your family deserves.
