Injuries to children are devastating to an entire family, and if that injury occurred because of the negligence or error of another individual, Wagner Reese can help through the recovery process, no matter the type of injury.

Our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in handling injury cases all over Indianapolis involving children and helping families recover with the highest financial awards possible.

At Wagner Reese, our attorneys have over 150+ years of experience in handling serious injury and wrongful death claims involving children. Though every one of these cases is heartbreaking, our firm works to assist families in recovering the compensation they deserve as a result of their suffering.

Once an injury or death occurs, don’t wait to call Wagner Reese. The sooner you pick up the phone, the sooner you can get on the road to recovery. Call (888) 204-8440 or fill out and submit an online contact form.

Common Causes of Child Injuries in Indianapolis

When a child is hurt due to someone else’s negligence, the circumstances can vary widely, but the legal path forward often looks the same. Motor vehicle accidents are among the most devastating sources of child injury, particularly when safety protocols were ignored or a driver was distracted. Falls on poorly maintained property, dog bites, defective products, and playground equipment failures are also frequent culprits, and each of these scenarios may give rise to a legitimate premises liability or product liability claim on behalf of an injured child.

Understanding what caused your child’s injury matters not just medically, but legally. The type of incident shapes which parties may be held liable, what evidence needs to be preserved, and how compensation will ultimately be calculated. An experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney can help families quickly identify the responsible party and build a case that reflects the full extent of their child’s suffering.

Indianapolis Child Injury Facts

  • In the most recent reports available, there were over 400 children between the ages of 0-14 killed between 2006-2010 as a result of unintentional injuries.
    • The CDC reports that nationally, over 12,000 children between the ages of 0-19 die each year from unintentional injuries.
  • Over 5000 children were admitted to the hospital for injuries between 2003-2006
    • Nationally, over 9 million children require medical treatment each year for non-fatal injuries.
  • The leading causes of injuries are falls (56.9%) and motor vehicle accidents (17.9%)
  • The statute of limitations on a personal injury case in Indianapolis is two years. Any case filed after the statute of limitations is up may result in the client receiving no compensation.

How Compensation Is Calculated in a Child Injury Case

The financial impact of a child injury extends well beyond the initial hospital bill. Compensation in these cases typically accounts for current and future medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation or therapy costs, pain and suffering, and, in the most severe situations, reduced earning capacity when the child reaches adulthood. According to the CDC, unintentional injuries remain the leading cause of death among children aged 1–17 in the United States, underscoring just how serious and life-altering these incidents can be.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages cover measurable financial losses, including surgeries, ongoing care, and adaptive equipment. Non-economic damages address the human toll: the trauma your child endured, the emotional distress experienced by the family, and the loss of normal childhood experiences that cannot be quantified on a medical invoice. Indiana courts recognize both categories, and a skilled attorney ensures that neither goes overlooked when pursuing maximum compensation.

Catastrophic Injury Considerations

When a child sustains a catastrophic injury such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or severe burns, the financial needs of that child extend over an entire lifetime. Wagner Reese’s attorneys have a proven track record of pursuing multi-million-dollar recoveries in cases like these, ensuring families have the resources they need for the long road ahead.

Child Injury Cases Involving Wrongful Death

When a child’s life is taken due to another party’s negligence, Indiana law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases are among the most emotionally demanding in all of personal injury law, and they require attorneys who approach grieving families with both compassion and relentless advocacy.

Wagner Reese has extensive experience representing families who have suffered this unimaginable loss. The firm works to recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of the child’s future contributions, and the profound grief that no dollar amount can truly address, but that the legal system is designed to acknowledge. Every family deserves a legal team that treats their child’s life as truly invaluable.

Protecting Your Child’s Rights Under Indiana Law

Indiana law includes specific protections for injured minors, including rules governing when and how a case can be filed. While the general personal injury statute of limitations in Indiana is two years, different timelines and procedural rules may apply in cases involving children, which is why acting quickly and consulting a knowledgeable Indianapolis personal injury lawyer is so important.

Beyond the filing deadline, preserving evidence is time-sensitive. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses’ memories fade, and accident scenes change. To protect your claim, we recommend these immediate steps:

  • Seek medical attention immediately
  • Contact Wagner Reese for assistance with your personal injury case
  • Never sign or agree to anything without the assistance of a lawyer
  • Prepare your case by gathering any relevant information that may assist in claiming your compensation (this may include taking notes about the accident, taking pictures of the scene, gathering statements from witnesses – all these things can be done with the assistance of a personal injury lawyer)

If your child has been the victim of an injury, or if you have lost a child due to wrongful death, as a result of another individual or entity’s negligence, give our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers a call and let them help your family get back on their feet.

Wagner Reese can help your family deal with insurance companies and can also assist you in planning for the future by setting up trust funds, Medicare set-aside accounts, special needs trusts, and whatever resources to help your family be prepared for the road ahead.

Why Choose Wagner Reese to Represent Your Child?

When the stakes are this high, the law firm you choose matters. Wagner Reese, LLP is a Tier-One Best Lawyers Law Firm with attorneys continuously recognized by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. The founding partners have each been awarded Trial Lawyer of the Year, and the firm’s attorneys collectively bring over 150+ years of experience to every case they accept. Wagner Reese is not a high-volume firm that processes cases quickly and moves on. The firm takes on catastrophic and complex cases selectively, giving each family the focused attention they deserve.

Wagner Reese also works exclusively on a contingency basis, meaning families never pay out of pocket. Attorney fees are drawn from the settlement, so your family can pursue justice without taking on financial risk during an already overwhelming time. If your family is navigating the aftermath of a serious child injury, the attorneys at Wagner Reese will fight to make sure the responsible party is held fully accountable.