CHARLOTTE CHILD INJURY LAWYERS

Life-Changing Injury

The child accident attorneys of Robert J. Reeves P.C. are committed child advocates who will work tirelessly to determine all facts and hold all parties responsible who fail or refuse to take proper steps to protect children. We know and appreciate how quickly a moment of inattention can result in life changing injury to a small child. Children cases are different. No matter how experienced a person may be, child injury cases affect everyone involved. From police officers to child accident lawyers, you will remember a seriously injured child forever, even years later​.

Parents who face this life ordeal will be panicked and almost paralyzed with fear as they desperately seek answers to their questions. For example, is their child going to be ok? Are there going to be any permanent consequences later in life? Who is the best doctor? The best hospital? The best lawyer? The first and last thing on your mind when you wake up and when you try to go to sleep is your injured child.

After your son or daughter recovers and you know what you are facing in the future, the next step is to pursue those persons responsible for what happened. Somewhat surprisingly, insurance companies aggressively defend all significant cases these days, even seriously injured children. The reason for such approach is the financial exposure. Small children claims usually present significant financial exposure. Not only are the initial medical bills extensive, but there are also concerns about future care and possible ongoing conditions that may take years to appear. As a result, you need experienced and equally aggressive lawyers on your side.

OUR CREDENTIALS 

Charlotte NC child accident lawyer Robert J. Reeves is a seasoned trial litigator with over 36 years experience in personal injury cases. As an attorney, he is recognized by his peers and is an inductee into such organizations as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum* and National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Mr. Reeves strives to be an aggressive but still compassionate trial lawyer and makes himself personally available to his clients even after hours and on weekends. Each client has his personal cell phone number and direct email address.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Reeves was a former Registered Nurse (RN). He understands complex injury cases as he used to treat intensive care unit patients who suffered critical injuries. He has cared for injured children and helped their families cope during their most difficult time. His knowledge of anatomy and physiology now assists him daily in personal injury cases as he reviews medical records and corresponds with treating doctors. In many cases, small details in the medical records can often make a tremendous difference in potential outcome. The combination of his years of legal experience in conjunction with his medical background allows Mr. Reeves to examine cases from both perspectives. It also makes his job easier when explaining complicated medical conditions to insurance adjusters or, if necessary, to juries.

CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE DEFENSES DO NOT APPLY TO SMALL CHILDREN

North Carolina has terrible laws when it comes to personal injury cases. The worst law is the “contributory negligence” defense. Many people know about this provision and cannot believe NC still has it. We are only one of two States left in the country. What it means is that if you are “at fault” in ANY WAY whatsoever, you are barred from receiving anything in a lawsuit. Absolutely nothing by law no matter how seriously injured or even if you are killed in an accident. As a result, only a few claims—mostly passenger or rear-end collision cases—qualify for compensation​. In virtually any intersection accident, both drivers lose compensation because both share some degree of fault or responsibility.​

Fortunately, such unfair laws do not apply at all to small children below the age of seven (7). Legally, a child that small is incapable of being contributorily negligent or “at fault.” Courts can impute contributory negligence to other individuals involved, but they rightfully leave the child blameless​. Courts often blame parents, fairly or unfairly.​ In both of my pending cases, opposing counsel has alleged that defense against the parents. Even if successful, which I seriously doubt, the only benefits at issue will be medical bills. The injured child receives all compensation for injury, where it rightfully belongs​. The Court deposits the funds and holds them until the child becomes an adult at age eighteen (18).​

South Carolina Laws

In South Carolina, we have adopted a “modified comparative negligence” standard. This means that any verdict or settlement is reduced by that percentage of fault assigned to the plaintiff. If the court determines the injured person is more than 50% negligent (50.000001%), then the court denies any recovery of benefits.​ However, as with North Carolina, courts do not apply these laws or personal injury defenses to small children below the age of seven (7). If the plaintiff recovers benefits in SC, the court deposits the money into a bank trust fund and assigns a Guardian ad litem to administer it until age 18​. Whoever the court places in charge of these funds must meticulously account for them and risks contempt of court and jail time for irresponsible or fraudulent spending.

TYPES OF CHARLOTTE CHILD INJURY CASES WE HANDLE

Auto accidents, Daycare injury, School injuries, including  playgrounds, recess, sports, and bullying, Playgrounds, whether in the community, community, private, or business, Bicycle, Skateboards, Roller blades, Pools, whether community or in the backyard at home, Dog bites and Dog mauling, and Dangerous products. Here at Robert J. Reeves P.C., we are steadfast children advocates. We appreciate how bad things can happen even when you do everything you can to keep your children safe. And when someone else fails or refuses to be safe, we will fight to hold all responsible parties accountable. To this end, we have helped many families over the years get through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Of course, child injury cases are the most heart-breaking and challenging types of injury.

As a former Registered Nurse (RN), attorney Robert J. Reeves knows first-hand and has treated children with serious injury. After you make sure your child is receiving proper medical treatment, call us to review what can be done legally. We would be honored to personally sit down with you and review your options in your Charlotte Child injury situation. You can reach us whenever you need answers – evenings, weekends, and holidays. Or, you can call Mr. Reeves directly on his mobile phone at 704-351-7979.

*Mr. Reeves does not intend his membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum to imply that every case is worth a million dollars​. Every case differs, and unique factors determine its overall value.