One of the most beautiful things about childhood is curiosity and wonder about the world. Though this is essential to learning, creativity, and development, it can also lead to accidents and injuries. As such, people have an innate duty under the law to protect children. If someone has an attractive nuisance on their property and does not take steps to mitigate the risk of injury, your child may be injured. If this is the case, you can likely pursue legal action with the assistance of an experienced Prince George’s County personal injury attorney. Keep reading to learn more.
What Constitutes an Attractive Nuisance?
Generally, an attractive nuisance is something that is enticing to a child with no security measures in place to mitigate the risk of damage. These are often man-made fixtures that include:
- Swimming pools
- Treehouses
- Trampolines
- Abandoned vehicles
- Old appliances
- Construction equipment
- Lawn mowers
Generally, these are enticing to children who are unfamiliar with the dangers associated with interacting with them. As such, property owners with these fixtures on their land should assume it’s possible for a child to gain access to their land and must take steps to reduce the risks associated. This includes placing a fence around their property or locking equipment away when not in use.
Trespassers often do not have the ability to file a lawsuit against a property owner when they are injured because the trespasser was there without permission. However, children have additional protections under the law as they often do not have the maturity to understand that a hazard could be dangerous.
Can I Pursue Justice if My Child Is Hurt Because of a Negligent Property Owner?
If your child is hurt by a negligent property owner who did not take steps to mitigate damage, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to help you pursue compensation for any injuries your child experienced.
You may be able to recover economic damages, which include the direct cost associated with things like hospital stays, medical equipment, and time off of work spent caring for your child. It’s also possible to pursue non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
It’s essential to ensure you take your child to a doctor as soon as possible to receive treatment for the injuries they’ve suffered. Not only does this ensure they receive the care they need, but it also helps to ensure the defense cannot hold this against you.
At McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, we understand how devastating these injuries can be. As such, our dedicated legal team is ready to fight for the justice you and your child deserve at the hands of a negligent property owner. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
