A Hale County child injury lawyer helps families get justice when a child is hurt by someone else's mistake. In Alabama, children have special legal protections because they cannot file lawsuits on their own. At Cartee & Lloyd, we act as strong litigators for parents to ensure their children receive the medical care and financial support they need to recover.
Under Alabama law, specifically Ala. Code § 6-5-391, a father or mother has the right to file a personal injury claim on behalf of their minor child. Our team provides the expert legal services needed to hold negligent people or companies accountable in Hale County and throughout the state.
When a child is hurt, the legal case is not the same as one for an adult. Children are still growing, and their minds and bodies are fragile. In Hale County, the law recognizes that kids need extra protection. These cases often involve complex legal services because the injuries can last a lifetime.
The biggest difference is that a minor cannot file a personal injury lawsuit on their own. In Alabama, anyone under the age of 19 is considered a minor. A parent or guardian must act as the next friend to start the case. Additionally, while adults are judged by a reasonable person standard, children are judged differently.
Alabama law often applies the Rule of Sevens to determine whether a child can be at fault. For example, kids under seven are usually seen as unable to be negligent. This helps a trial lawyer protect a child’s right to recovery even if they made a small mistake.
A child’s injury can change their entire future. A broken bone might heal, but it could affect how their limbs grow. Head or brain trauma can impact their ability to learn in school. Because of this, Hale County courts look at more than just today’s medical expenses. They consider:
Parents have a legal right and a duty to protect their child's interests. Under Ala. Code § 6-5-391, parents can seek money for the child's pain and medical bills incurred. If a settlement is reached, a judge in Hale County must approve it in a Pro Ami hearing. This ensures the money is used only for the child’s benefit. Sometimes, the court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem, a neutral lawyer, to ensure the deal is fair to the child.
Timing is everything in a personal injury case. Usually, you have two years to sue. However, for children, the clock often pauses (or tolls). This means the two-year limit might not start until the child turns 19. They could have until their 21st birthday to file. But be careful: a parent's claim for medical expenses usually must still be filed within the first two years. Waiting too long can make it hard to find evidence, so most families seek a case evaluation early.
Children face dangers in many places, from the back seat of a car to the local playground. Our firm handles a wide variety of claims in Hale County to keep our community's kids safe.
Car and truck wrecks are a leading cause of harm for kids. Whether they are in a car seat during a collision or walking near a road, the impact is severe. We investigate auto collisions to see if a driver was speeding or distracted. We also check if a car seat failed to protect the child as it should.
Premises liability involves injuries on someone else’s property. This includes:
Sometimes the danger is in the toys or gear we buy. Product liability cases arise when defective products, such as a choking hazard toy or a faulty crib, injure a child. We hold the makers and sellers accountable for putting profit over safety.
Medical malpractice or medical negligence can happen before a child is even born. Birth injuries can cause lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy. We also help families when a doctor misses a serious illness or gives a child the wrong medicine.
Parents trust schools and daycares to watch their kids. If a teacher or worker is careless, a child can get hurt on a playground or in a classroom. We look for a lack of supervision or a violation of safety rules that led to the accident.
We also handle complex cases such as toxic tort claims in which a child is exposed to lead paint or harmful chemicals. Whether it is a small injury handled in small claims court or a major wrongful death case, we provide the courtroom advocacy your family needs.
If your child is hurt, the legal road ahead can feel overwhelming. At Cartee & Lloyd, we guide families through every step of the Hale County legal system. We take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child's recovery.
The process begins with a free case evaluation. During this meeting, a trial lawyer will listen to your story and look at the facts. We check for signs of medical negligence, defective products, or owner fault. We will tell you honestly if we believe you have a strong claim for personal injury.
Once we take your case, we start an investigation. We gather the evidence needed for strong courtroom advocacy. This includes:
Insurance companies often try to settle quickly for a small amount. They know that parents are stressed and have high medical bills. We handle all negotiations with the adjusters. We make sure they see the full impact of the injury, including future costs that insurance coverage should address.
If the insurer refuses to be fair, we file a lawsuit in Hale County. Your litigator will handle all the paperwork and court dates. Most small disputes under $6,000 might go to small claims court, but larger cases go to the Circuit Court. We are prepared to present your case to a jury to get the justice your child deserves.
A settlement is a guaranteed payment that ends the case. A trial is a longer process where a jury decides the outcome. We help you weigh the pros and cons of each. While we are skilled at negotiation, we are always ready to be the trial lawyer your child needs if a fair deal isn't on the table.
In Alabama, a judge must approve any settlement for a minor. To protect the money until the child is 19, we often suggest a structured settlement or a trust. This ensures the money is there for college or long-term medical care, rather than being spent all at once.
The moments following an accident are critical. Taking the right steps now can protect your child's health and their future legal claim in Hale County.
Your child's health is the top priority. Even if they seem okay, some injuries, like internal bleeding or head trauma, are not always visible. Seeing a doctor right away creates a paper trail of medical records that links the injury to the accident.
Keep a file of every document related to the injury. This includes:
The other person's insurance company may call you for a statement. Be careful. They may try to get you to admit the accident was partly your child's fault. It is best to let your Hale County child injury lawyer handle all talks with insurance companies.
The sooner you call, the better. We can help preserve evidence before it disappears. Whether you are dealing with premises liability at a park or a wrongful death claim, early legal help is vital.
Under Ala. Code § 6-5-391, a parent or legal guardian must file on the child's behalf. If parents are divorced, the custodial parent typically has the primary right to file.
This is a special hearing in which a judge reviews a settlement to ensure it is fair to the child. It prevents the child's money from being misused.
While the standard limit is two years, Alabama law tolls the time for minors. A child usually has until their 21st birthday to file, but parents should act much sooner.
You may have a product liability claim. We hold the makers of defective products accountable for poor design or hidden dangers that harm children in Hale County.
Yes. If a school or daycare failed to supervise your child or ignored safety rules, they may be liable. We provide courtroom advocacy to prove their negligence.
Small claims court handles disputes up to $6,000. For larger personal injury or wrongful death cases, your trial lawyer will file in the Circuit Court of Hale County.
When your child is hurt, your world stops. The stress of medical treatment, rising bills, and your child's pain can feel like too much to handle. You don't have to face the insurance companies alone. At Cartee & Lloyd, we are committed to protecting the youngest members of our community.
The path to justice starts with a single phone call. Contact us today for a comprehensive case evaluation. Let us handle the negotiation and the legal hurdles while you focus on being there for your child. We are proud to serve families throughout Hale County and all of Alabama.
We listen to your story and understand your struggles. We handle the insurance companies and hire the experts and do the things necessary to win your case while you focus on going to the doctor and recovering from your injuries.
Through over 77 years of combined litigation experience, we have learned that the best way to make an insurance company pay you fairly for your damages is to be well prepared, fully investigate every detail, hire experts and prepare your case for trial even if most cases will settle without trial.
We know the law and have decades of experience in the courtroom and dealing with insurance companies. We use all of our resources to hire the experts necessary for trial, fully investigate, and pay for your medical records and litigation expenses so that you do not have to come out of pocket yourself while you are struggling to recover. We fight the big insurance companies for you and only get paid for our time and expenses if we recover for you.
Don’t fall for lawyer ads telling you Ai will tell you the value of your car wreck case or believe flashing dollars on a lawyer tv commercial. The real value of your case is what a judge or jury decides is the value of your case after hearing all of the law and evidence. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know the issues that affect the value of your case. We have over 77 years of combined litigation experience and we stand ready to take your case to trial if an insurance company refuses to fairly compensate you for your injuries and damages.
Your success matters to us. Since 1992, we have helped over 11,000 clients in Alabama and recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We measure our success by helping you receive the justice and fairness that you deserve.
"*" indicates required fields
