How injury lawyers Gaithersburg, MD residents trust can help
No parent wants to hire injury lawyers Gaithersburg, MD residents have relied on. Any parent knows the most frightening experience is to either witness or hear news from the child’s caregiver that your child has been injured. Time will slow down as you do everything in your power to respond to the accident they were just in. Depending on the accident and injuries that were obtained, your child could experience significant trauma as well. As a parent, you will naturally be protective of your child during the legal process to follow. What is required of children throughout? Will they have to testify or participate in a deposition for their case? The answer can vary due to a number of factors. Injury lawyers in Gaithersburg, MD, who understand personal injury law, can help protect the rights of your child and clearly outline their involvement throughout the personal injury case.
Trauma From the Accident
A child could face the residual impact of a personal injury by the significant trauma they may experience. In fact, it is all too common to experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some form following an accident. It’s important to note that even minor accidents can cause emotional suffering. Depending on a child’s age, symptoms of PTSD can present in various ways. It is all too common for a child to revert to behaviors they presented earlier in childhood:
- Bedwetting
- Separation anxiety
- Thumb sucking
- Problem in school
- Problems with sleep
- Depression
- Suicidal Thoughts
- High Risk Behavior
Good injury lawyers in Gaithersburg, MD will tell that if you suspect that your child is suffering from PTSD, speak with their pediatrician to determine the proper course of mental health treatment. An lawyer will then be able to take the lead in the legal world so that you can take the time to care for your child during this trying time.
Depositions and Child Participation
It’s completely normal to be protective of a child amidst the legal process, especially if they are experiencing symptoms of PTSD from the accident. Depositions are an all too common component to a lawsuit that requires witnesses to testify. A deposition is testimony that is given outside of the courtroom. Testimony from a deposition can be used if a case goes to trial. Having Gaithersburg, MD injury lawyers present to represent you and your child will be vital to making sure that you obtain the maximum results for your case. They will be able to help you negotiate your child’s involvement throughout the entire process and protect their rights in the event they are deposed.
Factors to Consider
Child participation in courtrooms and depositions is an occurrence that is all too common for legal professionals. When a child has been traumatically impacted in an accident, it’s important to make sure that they are not required to endure interviews or testify too many times. Skilled and experienced injury lawyers in Gaithersburg, MD know that children can be unpredictable during a deposition or in the courtroom, as a result, it’s important to consider a number of factors, including:
- The child’s age
- The level to which they were traumatized from the accident
- Whether they are able to give consistent interviews
It’s risky to have a child endure a deposition, especially a child suffering from PTSD. It will be important for both you and your attorney to carefully consider the impact their testimony could have on the case.
The level to which your child will need to be involved in the personal injury process can vary. If you are considering whether you have a personal injury case and how your child will be involved, consult with injury lawyers Gaithersburg, MD residents trust. Call Cohen & Cohen today for your free consultation.
