When your child suffers an injury due to someone else’s carelessness, the impact reaches far beyond the immediate pain. These injuries can affect your child’s development, education, and future opportunities. As a parent, you need an experienced advocate who understands Colorado law and fights for your child’s rights.
At Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers, lead attorney Scott Goldman has dedicated his career to protecting children and their families. With over 25 years of combined experience and a superb 10/10 AVVO rating, our team knows how to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation your family deserves.
Call (720) 571-0606 for a free consultation today.
Common Causes of Child Injuries in Broomfield
Children get injured in ways that might surprise you. Our firm has handled cases involving:
Falls and Playground Accidents
Playground equipment causes thousands of injuries each year. Broken equipment, inadequate surfacing, poor maintenance, and lack of supervision all contribute to serious falls. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200,000 kids are sent to emergency rooms each year in the US due to playground equipment-related injuries.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes remain one of the top causes of injury and death for children. Whether your child was a passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist, vehicle accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal damage.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Young children often don’t recognize warning signs from animals. When dog owners fail to properly restrain aggressive pets or warn others, children pay the price with physical injuries, scarring, and emotional trauma.
Swimming Pool Drownings and Near-Drownings
The CDC identifies drowning as the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4. Pool owners and operators must maintain proper fencing, supervision, and safety equipment.
School and Daycare Negligence
Teachers, administrators, and childcare workers owe your child a duty of care. When they fail to supervise properly, maintain safe premises, or prevent foreseeable harm, injuries result.
Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries
Healthcare providers must meet accepted standards of care when treating children. Diagnostic errors, medication mistakes, and surgical complications can cause permanent harm to developing bodies.
Defective Products
Toys, car seats, cribs, and other children’s products must meet safety standards. When manufacturers cut corners, children suffer burns, choking incidents, and other preventable injuries.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023 alone, more than 7,000 children were injured and 41 were tragically killed in pedalcycle crashes.
Understanding Your Legal Rights Under Colorado Law
Colorado has specific laws that protect injured children and establish when others can be held liable.
Statute of Limitations for Child Injury Claims
Colorado law gives parents a specific window to file claims on behalf of their children. Under Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) section 13-80-102, most personal injury cases must be filed within two years from the date of injury.
However, children receive special protection. Because Colorado classifies minors as “persons under disability,” the statute of limitations doesn’t begin until the child turns 18. This means your child has until their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit in most cases (18 years old plus two years).
For car accidents specifically, a three-year limitation period applies under Colorado law.
Parents can file on behalf of their child within the standard two-year period. But if they choose not to, the child gains their own right to sue when they become an adult.
Colorado’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence standard under CRS section 13-21-111. This means your child can still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault, as long as their fault doesn’t exceed 49%.
Importantly, Colorado law presumes that children under age seven are incapable of negligence. If your child is under this age, their actions typically won’t reduce your compensation.
For children over seven, the jury considers what a reasonable child of similar age, intelligence, and experience would have done in the same situation. This child-specific standard recognizes that we can’t hold children to adult standards of care.
Premises Liability and Children
Property owners owe different duties depending on whether someone is an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. Individuals who trespass may be afforded less protection, but Colorado courts recognize that children deserve special consideration.
The “attractive nuisance doctrine” holds property owners liable when dangerous conditions on their property are likely to attract children who can’t appreciate the risk. Swimming pools, construction equipment, and abandoned buildings often fall under this doctrine.
Types of Compensation Available for Child Injuries
When negligence harms your child, Colorado law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These cover your family’s financial losses:
- Medical bills for emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, and medications
- Future medical care, including ongoing therapy and rehabilitation
- Medical equipment needs, such as wheelchairs or specialized devices
- Lost wages while you care for your injured child
- Transportation costs for medical appointments
- Special education services if the injury affects learning
- Home modifications to accommodate disabilities.
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for intangible losses:
- Your child’s physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of childhood activities
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Diminished quality of life
- Anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts
- Loss of future earning capacity if injuries cause permanent limitations.
Special Considerations for Children
Child injury cases require careful calculation of future damages. For instance, a six-year-old who suffers a traumatic brain injury faces a lifetime of challenges. At the law firm of Goldman & Haydel, our team works with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to document:
- The full extent of your child’s injuries and prognosis
- How the injury will affect development and education
- Future medical needs over your child’s lifetime
- Impact on future career opportunities and earning potential
- The cost of long-term care and assistance.
Unlike adult injury cases, where damages focus on past and current losses, child injury claims must account for decades of future impact.
Proving Negligence in Child Injury Cases
To recover compensation, we must prove four elements:
1. Duty of Care
We establish that the defendant owed your child a duty to act reasonably. Property owners must maintain safe premises. Drivers must follow traffic laws. Doctors must provide competent medical care. The specific duty depends on the relationship and circumstances.
2. Breach of Duty
We show how the defendant failed to meet their duty. This might mean ignoring broken playground equipment, texting while driving, or failing to supervise children properly.
3. Causation
We prove the defendant’s breach directly caused your child’s injuries. Colorado law recognizes both direct causation and situations where negligence contributes to harm.
4. Damages
We document all injuries and losses your child and family suffered. Medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence establish the full scope of damages.
We at Goldman & Haydel have successfully established these four elements in many injury cases. We’re eager to listen to your story in a free consultation and start building your case.
Special Challenges in Child Injury Cases
Child injury claims often involve:
Complex Medical Issues
Growing bodies respond differently to trauma than adult bodies. We work with pediatric specialists who understand how injuries affect development.
Institutional Defendants
Schools, daycares, and recreational facilities often have governmental immunity or insurance coverage limits. At Goldman & Haydel, we’re experienced in navigating these complexities and skillfully advocate for your rights even when the other party is well-defended.
Multiple Liable Parties
Several parties might share responsibility. For example, a playground injury could involve the equipment manufacturer, the property owner, and the maintenance company. We identify all potential defendants to maximize recovery.
How Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers Protects Your Child’s Future
Scott Goldman founded our firm on the principle that everyone deserves professional and ethical representation. That commitment matters even more when your child’s future is at stake.
Our Experience Makes the Difference
With over 25 years of combined experience, our attorneys have handled complex child injury cases across Colorado. Scott Goldman, admitted to practice in Colorado state courts and the US District Court of Colorado, brings:
- In-depth knowledge of Colorado personal injury law
- Extensive jury trial and bench trial experience
- A track record of favorable settlements through skilled negotiation
- Recognition, including a superb 10/10 AVVO rating and Lead Counsel verification.
One client shared, “Scott Goldman handled my case with utmost care and professionalism. He was approachable and very reliable throughout the process. He responded to all my emails promptly, regardless of when I sent them. I would get responses from Scott even during the weekends.”
Our Comprehensive Approach
When you hire Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers, we:
Investigate Thoroughly
We gather all evidence needed to prove negligence and damages:
- Medical records documenting your child’s injuries and treatment
- Accident reports from police, schools, or other authorities
- Surveillance footage and photographs of accident scenes
- Witness statements from those who saw what happened
- Expert testimony from medical professionals, engineers, or safety specialists.
Build Your Case Strategically
Our attorneys at Goldman & Haydel dedicate time to each case, pouring their experience into crafting a tailored strategy to win. Our professional approach allows for favorable settlement outcomes while maintaining readiness for trial if needed. Along the way, we take time to explain your case and ensure you understand each step.
Fight for Maximum Compensation
We don’t accept lowball settlement offers. Our A+ BBB rating and Lead Counsel verification demonstrate our commitment to client satisfaction. We pursue every dollar your family deserves, accounting for both current needs and future costs.
Handle Everything So You Can Focus on Your Child
Dealing with insurance companies, gathering evidence, and negotiating settlements takes time and expertise. We take that burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child’s recovery.
Why Immediate Action Matters
Don’t wait to protect your child’s rights. Here’s why acting quickly is essential:
Evidence Disappears
Surveillance footage gets deleted. Witnesses’ memories fade. Physical conditions change. The sooner we investigate, the stronger your case becomes.
Medical Documentation Matters
Gaps in medical treatment can hurt your case. Insurance companies argue that delayed treatment means injuries weren’t serious. We help you document everything properly from the start.
Children Can’t Wait
Your child’s recovery may require expensive treatment now. Early action can secure interim compensation for immediate needs.
Deadlines Are Real
While children have extended time to file claims, waiting too long can complicate your case. Starting now preserves all your options.
Real Results for Real Families
Our clients’ experiences speak to our commitment:
“I had an excellent experience with Goldman Law. The entire team was professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer my questions. They handled my case with the utmost care and provided clear guidance every step of the way. I felt confident and well-represented throughout the entire process.”
Another client shared: “Goldman Law works as a team, and has never left me feeling like I was not a priority. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this law firm. You will not be disappointed.”
From our Denver office, we serve clients throughout Colorado, including Broomfield and surrounding communities. Our Lead Counsel verification and spotless record demonstrate our dedication to achieving results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Injury Claims
What if my child was injured at school?
Schools and school districts have special immunity under Colorado law, but exceptions exist. We evaluate whether your case involves negligent supervision, unsafe facilities, or other actionable conduct.
Can I sue if my child was hurt at a friend’s house?
Yes. Homeowners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises, especially when children are present. Their homeowner’s insurance typically covers these claims.
What if the person who hurt my child doesn’t have insurance?
We explore all options, including your own uninsured motorist coverage, health insurance, umbrella policies, and other potential sources of compensation.
How long will my case take?
Every case is different. Some settle in months, while others require litigation. We move efficiently while ensuring we don’t settle too early and leave money on the table.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
We work on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family. This allows everyone to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Protect Your Child’s Rights Today: Contact Goldman & Haydel
Your child’s injury has already caused enough pain. Don’t let insurance companies add to your stress by denying or minimizing your claim.
We at Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers have the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for your family. Attorney Scott Goldman and our team understand Colorado personal injury law and know how to build winning cases for injured children.
With our superb 10/10 AVVO rating, A+ BBB rating, and Lead Counsel verification for experience and a spotless record, we’ve earned recognition as top-rated Colorado personal injury lawyers. But what matters most is the trust our clients place in us and the results we achieve for their families.
Call (720) 571-0606 now for a free consultation.
We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and outline the steps needed to seek justice for your child’s injury. You don’t pay us unless we win.
Don’t wait. Your child deserves justice, and their future depends on the actions you take today. Contact Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers and let us fight for your family.
