A serious injury can disrupt a child’s development, leaving parents facing uncertainty about their child’s growth, abilities, and future. New problems with movement, speech, learning, or behavior may appear gradually as milestones are missed. When an injury occurs because another person or business acted carelessly, a Fort Washington developmental delay lawyer can investigate what happened and determine whether a personal injury claim may provide a path toward accountability.
You should have a clear picture of the legal options available to your family. At Friedman Schuman Layser, our dedicated child injury attorneys can review the event that caused the injury and the ways it has affected your child’s development. We take cases across Pennsylvania and work to build claims that account for both current challenges and needs that may continue as a child grows. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Developmental delays may follow trauma that affects the brain or nervous system. When a child experiences a serious accident, it can interfere with abilities that are still developing, and the full effect may not be obvious immediately. Doctors and other qualified professionals may identify delays later by comparing a child’s progress with expected developmental milestones.
When evaluating a developmental delay claim, our Fort Washington attorneys will connect the original injury to the changes that followed rather than treating your child’s diagnosis as an isolated issue. Medical records can help establish that link, and developmental evaluations and testimony from appropriate experts can explain how the injury has affected your child over time and whether those limitations are expected to continue.
A strong personal injury claim should reflect how an injury changes a child’s life beyond the first period of treatment. A child may require ongoing therapy, specialized educational support, or assistance with everyday activities that they once could perform independently. Those future needs can become an important part of evaluating damages and planning for your child’s long-term care.
When an injury affects a child’s development, our Fort Washington legal team can use evidence of current abilities and anticipated future care to show the extent of the harm. The claim may seek compensation for medical expenses and other losses supported by the evidence. Careful documentation is especially important when the child’s needs are likely to change with age.
The state generally requires an action seeking damages for personal injury caused by another’s negligence to be filed within two years under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 42 § 5524. The law also contains a special rule for minors, specifying that the statute of limitations generally does not begin to run until the minor turns 18, after which the minor ordinarily has two years to file the claim.
Because developmental delay can take time to become clear, a Fort Washington family should have lawyers examine both the injury and the filing rules that apply to the child’s claim. Other claims arising from the same event may be subject to different deadlines. An early review by our legal team can also preserve records and other evidence before it becomes harder to obtain.
The effects of a childhood injury may develop over time, making it important to evaluate both the child’s current condition and possible future needs. A Fort Washington developmental delay lawyer from our firm can assess the available evidence and explain the legal process. Our lawyers can also help you decide how to move forward.
At Friedman Schuman Layser, we are here to listen to what your family has experienced and determine whether a personal injury claim is appropriate. Contact us today to discuss your child’s injury and learn how we can help pursue accountability.
