When a child suffers a brain injury, the consequences can be life-altering for both the child and their entire family.
Should your child ever suffer a brain injury, the steps you take in the first hours and days can help to protect your child’s health, recovery and legal rights. Here’s a step-by-step guide to follow:
- First, protect your child’s health and well-being. Seek immediate and thorough medical care. Even if your child’s symptoms seem mild, insist on a full evaluation. Follow all recommendations, attend follow-up appointments, and watch for changes in your child’s behavior, sleep or cognition.
- Second, document everything. Keep copies of medical records, discharge instructions, prescriptions and imaging results. Start a daily journal noting symptoms, mood changes, missed school and any limitations. This record can be consequential if you need to understand and potentially demonstrate how the injury is affecting your child’s life over time.
- Third, notify appropriate parties who may need to know about your child’s condition. This may include school administrators, coaches or property owners, depending on where the injury occurred. Also, if a police or official report is involved, obtain a copy. Prompt reporting can help to establish a clear timeline and prevent disputes about what happened.
- Fourth, be cautious with insurance companies. You may be contacted quickly for statements or settlement discussions. Provide only basic facts and avoid speculation about your child’s condition. Do not agree to recorded statements or early settlements without understanding the long-term impact of the injury. Brain injuries can evolve, and early offers may not reflect future needs. For this reason and several others, you want to avoid speaking with insurance company representatives until you’ve sought experienced legal guidance.
- Fifth, track the financial damage. Save receipts for medical expenses, therapy, transportation and any adaptive equipment. Make note of your own missed work if you need to take off to care for your child. These costs can add up quickly and should be accounted for when evaluating compensation.
Finally, speak with a personal injury legal team as early as possible. Your child and your family may be entitled to significant compensation that you won’t want to leave on the table for any number of reasons. Taking these steps from day one can help to protect your child’s well-being while safeguarding the resources they’ll need for recovery and long-term support.
