Sacramento Child Injury Lawyer

Experienced Child Injury Attorneys in Sacramento

Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys has spent decades guiding families through personal injury cases, and we take cases involving injured children with particular care. When a child suffers harm because an adult or institution didn’t act responsibly, parents deserve a legal team that knows how to take over and protect their child’s future. Our attorneys work case by case—we don’t use templates or cut corners—because every child’s situation deserves full attention.

We approach these cases with focus and care. Parents are already dealing with medical issues, school interruptions, and the emotional stress that comes with watching their child suffer. That’s why we stay involved and responsive, making sure you’re kept in the loop and not left guessing about next steps.

We’re based here in Sacramento and we represent families throughout the area. Whether the injury happened on public property, at a private business, or somewhere else entirely, we’re ready to help.

If you’re looking for legal help after a child injury, reach out to Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys. We offer free consultations, and you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation.

Types of Child Injury Cases We Handle

At Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys, we’ve represented families through all kinds of injury cases involving children. Children can be injured in all kinds of situations, and if someone else’s carelessness is the reason, families have every right to act quickly. At Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys, we handle child injury claims in California and take the time to work closely with each family to understand what happened and how to move forward.

Here are some of the case types we regularly see:

• Daycare and school injuries: When staff fail to supervise or maintain a safe environment, children are left vulnerable. These claims often involve broken bones, falls, or worse.
• Playground accidents: Whether due to poorly maintained equipment or lack of oversight, these injuries often require immediate legal steps.
• Car accidents involving children: As passengers, child pedestrians, or bike riders, children often suffer severe harm in vehicle collisions.
• Dog bites: These cases often involve scarring, trauma, and liability questions that need fast investigation.
• Medical negligence affecting minors: Errors in pediatric care can change a child’s life and may involve long-term treatment costs.
• Defective toys and products: Some products fail to meet safety standards or carry hidden dangers, especially for younger kids.
• Premises liability incidents: Falls, exposure to hazards, or unsecured areas can all result in serious injuries to children.

A Sacramento child injury attorney at our firm can help you understand your rights and what legal steps may be available if your child was hurt in any of these situations.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Child’s Injury?

When a child is seriously hurt, figuring out who’s legally responsible is one of the first steps in protecting your family’s rights. A thorough investigation is usually needed to understand what happened, who was involved, and how the injury could have been prevented. In many cases, more than one party may be at fault.

Individuals and Caregivers

Sometimes, a child is harmed because a babysitter, teacher, coach, or other adult didn’t provide proper supervision or acted recklessly. When an adult fails to act with reasonable care, they may be held legally responsible in a children’s injury lawsuit.

Schools and Daycare Centers

Facilities that care for children on a daily basis—like schools or daycare centers—can be held liable if they ignored safety policies, failed to maintain safe premises, or hired unqualified staff. A Sacramento child injury attorney can help investigate whether staff negligence contributed to your child’s harm.

Property Owners and Businesses

If a child is injured on someone else’s property, the owner might be liable under California premises liability law. This includes stores, apartment complexes, or even neighbors if they failed to address known hazards that could hurt a child.

Manufacturers and Product Designers

When defective toys, cribs, or child-specific products lead to injury, liability may fall on the manufacturer or distributor. These cases often require technical investigation to show how the design or warning labels were unsafe.

Because child injury cases can involve more than one responsible party, working with a Sacramento child injury attorney helps ensure no detail is missed.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Child Injury Lawsuit?

When a child is seriously hurt, families may be entitled to seek child accident compensation through a legal claim. A Sacramento child injury lawyer can help identify all the losses that should be included, both financial and emotional.

Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: This includes hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, therapy, medication, and any assistive devices the child may need now or in the future.
• Ongoing Care Needs: If the injury results in long-term health complications, compensation may also cover future treatments, in-home care, or rehabilitation.
• Educational Support Costs: In some cases, an injury may lead to learning difficulties or delays. These damages can include special education or tutoring.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain caused by the injury is compensable, especially when it results in prolonged discomfort or permanent limitations.
• Emotional Trauma: Children who’ve experienced serious injuries often need counseling or other mental health care to cope with the event.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If a child can no longer participate in activities they once enjoyed, that loss is also considered when calculating compensation.
• Disfigurement or Disability: Permanent scarring or long-term impairment may justify additional damages based on the impact it has on the child’s daily life.

How Are Child Injury Cases Different from Adult Injury Claims?

Filing a personal injury claim for a minor comes with additional legal steps that don’t apply to adult cases. Because minors cannot represent themselves in court, a parent or legal guardian typically brings the case on the child’s behalf. In some situations, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem—a neutral third party who makes sure the child’s best interests are protected throughout the legal process.

Unlike adult injury claims, any proposed settlement in a child’s case must be reviewed and approved by a judge. This extra layer of oversight ensures that the agreement truly serves the child’s long-term needs, not just the short-term convenience of the adults involved.

Another key difference involves time limits. While most injury cases must be filed within a strict deadline, the statute of limitations for a child is often extended, giving families more time to pursue justice. A Sacramento child injury attorney can explain how these rules apply to a specific situation.

What to Do After a Child Injury Accident

When a child gets hurt, emotions can take over quickly, but there are a few steps you’ll need to take right away to protect their well-being and preserve any potential legal claim:

• Get medical attention immediately: Even if the injury doesn’t seem serious at first, a full exam is important both for your child’s health and for any documentation that may be needed later.
• Take photos and notes as soon as possible: If the scene is safe, try to capture where it happened, what conditions may have contributed, and any visible injuries. This kind of evidence may become key in a claim later on.
• Report the injury to whoever is responsible: That could be a school, daycare center, business owner, or property manager—whoever had a duty to keep your child safe should be formally notified.
• Don’t sign anything without legal guidance: You may be contacted by an insurance company or other party asking for a statement or agreement. It’s best to hold off until you speak with a child injury attorney.
• Reach out to a lawyer with experience in child injury cases: A qualified attorney can help you understand what your rights are and what steps to take next.

Can I Sue a Daycare or School for a Child’s Injury?

Yes, you may be able to sue a daycare or school for a child’s injury if the facility failed to act with reasonable care. These institutions have a legal duty to keep children safe while under their supervision. When that duty is violated—whether through negligent supervision, hazardous conditions, or failure to respond to known dangers—parents have the right to take legal action.

Negligence in these settings might involve leaving children unattended, ignoring warning signs of bullying or abuse, failing to maintain safe play areas, or hiring unqualified staff. If that negligence leads to harm, it can form the basis of a claim.

Parents who choose to sue a daycare for child injury are also protected by specific state laws that allow them to pursue compensation for medical care, pain, emotional distress, and long-term effects. Because these cases often involve government-run schools or complex insurance policies, speaking with an attorney early in the process is essential. A lawyer can help determine who’s responsible and ensure the case is filed correctly within the legal deadlines.

How to File a Personal Injury Claim on Behalf of a Minor

When a child is injured, a parent or legal guardian has the right to file a personal injury claim on their behalf. This process starts with gathering evidence, documenting the injury, and identifying who may be at fault. From there, a Sacramento child injury attorney can help file the official claim while protecting the child’s legal interests every step of the way.

Because minors cannot represent themselves in court, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to act in the child’s best interest during the legal process. If the case reaches a settlement, the court must approve it to ensure the outcome fairly supports the child’s future needs.

Although this process can seem overwhelming at first, working with an attorney helps make it more manageable. A lawyer will guide the case from start to finish, handle the legal filings, and help ensure your child receives the compensation they deserve.

California Laws That Protect Injured Children

California has specific laws in place to protect children who are hurt because of someone else’s negligence. These rules give families a path to hold the right people accountable and seek fair compensation.

Negligence and the Duty of Care

Under California law, anyone responsible for supervising or interacting with children—such as teachers, daycare workers, and property owners—owes a legal duty to act with reasonable care. If someone fails to meet this duty and a child gets hurt, they may be held liable through a personal injury claim. The standard is higher when children are involved because the law recognizes their increased vulnerability.

Extended Statute of Limitations for Minors

In California, the statute of limitations for filing an injury claim is generally two years from the date of the incident. However, when the injured party is a minor, the deadline is typically extended until the child turns 18, giving families more time to pursue legal action.

Legal Protections for Families

These laws are designed to give families a fair opportunity to seek justice. A Sacramento child injury attorney can help you understand how the law applies to your child’s situation and ensure your case is handled properly from the beginning.

Why Choose Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys for Your Child’s Injury Case?

When your child is hurt because of someone else’s mistake, the lawyer you choose matters. At Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys, we bring decades of focused experience, a deep connection to the Sacramento community, and a personal commitment to every family we represent.

Over 50 Years of Proven Results

Our firm has spent more than five decades handling serious injury cases across California. We understand what it takes to win a personal injury case involving a minor, and we don’t back down from complex or sensitive claims.

Rooted in Sacramento

We’ve built long-standing relationships with local schools, medical providers, and court systems. That local knowledge helps us move faster, gather key details, and protect your family’s best interests.

Compassionate and Results-Driven

We know how overwhelming it is when your child is recovering from an injury. That’s why we take a hands-on, family-first approach to every case—offering clear guidance, open communication, and full support from start to finish.

No Fees Unless We Win

You won’t pay anything out of pocket unless we recover compensation on your behalf. We take child injury cases on a contingency basis so you can focus on your child’s recovery, not legal costs.

Speak with a Sacramento Child Injury Lawyer Today

If your child was hurt and you’re not sure what to do next, we’re here to help. At Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys, we understand how hard this situation can be for families, which is why we make the legal process as straightforward and supportive as possible. Whether your child was injured at school, by a careless driver, or because someone failed to take safety seriously, our team is ready to listen and offer clear next steps.

There’s no risk in reaching out—your consultation is free and completely confidential. 

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation by calling (916) 777-7777 or filling out the contact form on our website.