Personal Injury Claims Involving Minors
Finder Law Serves Clients Across Jefferson City, Columbia, and Central Missouri
When a minor is involved in an accident, there are special considerations to be made in the claims process. They have the right to seek compensation for damages & injuries resulting from the accident & careful navigation is needed when negotiating with insurance companies.
Legal Guardianship & Statute of Limitation Considerations
Because a minor is not legally able to pursue a claim on their own, their parent or legal guardian must initiate the claim on their behalf. Typically, the statue of limitations is 5 years for personal injury claims. However, for minors, the 5 years does not begin running until they reach the age of maturity. However, evidence will be more difficult to obtain over time, so the quicker a claim is filed, the more likely a fair settlement will be reached.
Structured Settlements
Another special way in which claims involving minors are handled is that the court must approve settlements for them. Because the minor is not legally able to enter into a contract, the courts must be involved to ensure the settlement is fair & in their best interest. The court may consider factors such as the seriousness of the injuries, future medical needs, etc. If the court approves the settlement amount, the funds are usually put into a structured settlement & held until the minor reaches adulthood.
Hiring an Attorney
Understanding the unique challenges that come with personal injury claims involving minors is an important consideration when choosing an attorney to represent you in your case. Daniel Finder of Finder Law, LLC has over 10 years of experience handling these types of claims & will compassionately walk with you through this process. Ensuring that your child is not only provided for now, but in the future is something Daniel Finder appreciates as a father & an attorney. He will aggressively fight to ensure your child’s claim is settled fairly.
