Jacksonville Child Injury Lawyer
When a child is injured, the case is not a smaller version of an adult case. Plata Schott Law is the only private firm in Jacksonville led by two attorneys Board Certified in Juvenile Law by The Florida Bar.
Child Injury Cases Need a Different Kind of Lawyer
Injury cases involving children are not just “smaller” versions of adult cases. Kids heal differently. Their futures—education, development, independence—can be permanently affected. The law also treats minors differently when it comes to settlements, court approval, and long-term planning. We represent injured children and their families in Jacksonville, Duval County, and across Northeast Florida, including Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau Counties.
Plata Schott Law is led by Board-Certified Specialists in Juvenile Law, a credential earned by fewer than 1% of Florida attorneys. That experience matters when the injured person is a child. We understand how to:
Prove negligence and unsafe conditions around children
Work with pediatric specialists, therapists, and experts
Structure settlements and protect a child’s long-term interests
Navigate courts, guardians, and approval procedures for minors
You’re not just hiring an injury firm—you’re working with lawyers who have built their careers around protecting children.
How Florida Law Treats Child Injury Cases
Personal injury law provides legal recourse for individuals who have suffered injuries due to negligence or intentional actions. This area of law covers a wide range of incidents, including physical injuries, property damage, and emotional distress. When another party's negligence results in harm, personal injury law allows victims to seek compensation for their losses through a personal injury claim.
What Makes a Strong Child Injury Case in Florida
A personal injury case arises when an individual suffers harm due to another party's negligence or intentional actions. Successfully pursuing a personal injury claim requires establishing several key elements:
Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal obligation to act in a certain manner to avoid causing harm.
Breach of Duty: The defendant breached this duty through negligent or wrongful actions.
Causation: The defendant's actions directly caused the injury.
Damages: The plaintiff suffered actual damages (physical, emotional, financial) as a result of the breach.
Timelines and Costs
For an adult, Florida’s deadline to file most injury and wrongful death claims is two years from the date of loss. For a child, the deadline usually works differently. Florida generally tolls (pauses) the statute of limitations during a plaintiff’s minority under Fla. Stat. § 95.051(1)(h), so for most personal-injury claims involving a child the clock does not begin to run until the child turns 18. Important exceptions apply: medical malpractice claims run on Chapter 766 timelines and are subject to a statute of repose, and claims against government entities — including public schools — carry separate written-notice requirements under § 768.28. Do not assume tolling protects a case indefinitely. If your child was injured, talk to a lawyer about the specific deadline that applies to your situation.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
You don’t pay upfront fees
We advance most case costs
We only get paid if we recover money for your child
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can secure evidence, connect your child with the right experts, and start building the case.
Why Choose Plata Schott Law for your Child’s Injury Claim?
Choosing Plata Schott Law means entrusting your case to a firm with a proven track record of success. Our attorneys are highly rated and recognized for their excellence and commitment to client satisfaction. Here’s why you should pursue your case with us:
Specialized Expertise: With decades of combined experience, we focus on advocating for children injured in accidents.
Client-Centric Approach: We prioritize your family's needs and work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome.
Accessibility: Our attorneys are readily available to answer your questions and keep you informed throughout the process.
Relentless Advocacy: We are unafraid to take on insurance companies and fight for the maximum compensation your child deserves.
How We Pursue a Child Injury Claim
Navigating the complexities of personal injury protection and securing personal injury compensation can be daunting. With our award-winning lawyers, you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal intricacies. We aim to ensure your family receives the compensation you deserve for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
What Compensation Can You Seek?
A personal injury claim can help your child recover:
Emergency care, hospitalizations, and follow-up treatment
Future medical care, surgeries, and medications
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling
Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
Educational impacts and special services
Permanent disability or disfigurement
In some cases, courts may require that part of the recovery be placed in a protected account or structured settlement. We guide you through every option so you understand what’s best for your child’s future.
Our Proven Process for Your Child’s Case
Free, Confidential Consultation: Speak directly with an experienced attorney to review your case.
Comprehensive Case Strategy: We build a strong foundation, gathering evidence to prove liability and damages.
Aggressive Representation: Whether negotiating with insurers or fighting in court, we tirelessly advocate for your child’s best interests.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you or your child has suffered a personal injury in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Plata Schott Law, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to provide the support and representation you need. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation, and let us help you secure the justice and compensation your family deserves.
Where and How Children Are Commonly Injured
We represent injured children across Jacksonville and Florida in cases involving:
Car crashes (including school bus and teen driver crashes)
Children injured at school, daycare, camps, or extracurricular activities
Unsafe playgrounds and amusement parks
Dangerous or poorly maintained properties
Defective toys, baby products, and child-focused devices
Slip-and-fall incidents at schools and public places
Dog bites and animal attacks
Choking incidents and unsafe food or objects
Burn injuries, scalds, and unsafe premises
Traumatic brain injuries and other catastrophic harm
For cases involving loss of life, we also handle Wrongful Death of a Child and have a dedicated page that explains those claims in depth.
Talk to a Jacksonville Child Injury Lawyer Today
If your child has been seriously injured in Florida, don’t try to navigate this alone. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Institutions protect themselves fast.
At Plata Schott Law, we act quickly, communicate clearly, and push hard for full accountability and compensation.
Call, text, or email us today for a free, confidential consultation with an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Injury Claims in Florida
How long do I have to file a child-injury case in Florida?
Florida generally tolls the statute of limitations during a plaintiff's minority under Fla. Stat. § 95.051(1)(h). For most personal-injury cases involving a child, the clock does not begin until the child turns 18. Shorter deadlines apply for medical malpractice (Ch. 766, with a statute of repose) and cases against government entities (§ 768.28). Do not assume tolling protects the case indefinitely.
Do settlements involving my child require court approval?
Yes, over the statutory threshold in Fla. Stat. § 744.387. A guardian must be appointed and the court reviews and approves the settlement. Plata Schott Law handles this process routinely.
What is a structured settlement, and why do we use them for children?
A structured settlement pays the recovery out over time via annuities rather than as a lump sum. For children, it protects the money until adulthood, provides predictable income, and can preserve public-benefit eligibility.
My child was injured at school. Can I sue the school district?
Public schools are subject to sovereign immunity under Fla. Stat. § 768.28, which requires written pre-suit notice within three years and caps damages at $200,000 per person / $300,000 per incident absent a claims bill. Private schools follow standard tort rules.
I signed a liability waiver at a camp or sports program. Can I still sue?
Not always. Florida law is skeptical of parents signing away a child's future claims in advance, especially for gross negligence. Waivers are sometimes enforced but frequently defeated in serious injury cases.
My child was in the car during an auto accident. How is their claim different?
PIP covers the child's initial medical bills. The child's separate bodily-injury claim runs on a different timeline (tolled minority) and is settled through § 744.387. Parent and child claims need to be handled as separate matters.
What does it cost to hire Plata Schott Law for a child-injury case?
Contingency-fee basis. No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. Costs and expenses may apply. The initial consultation is free.
Do you handle Spanish-speaking families?
Yes. The firm is bilingual and attorney Belkis Plata's first language is Spanish. Spanish-speaking families work with her directly.
