Parents are often forgotten when their children are injured. They may miss work, be out of pocket for mileage and gas expenses taking their children to and from the doctor’s offices and may lose out on precious good quality time with their child. Minnesota law specifically allows for parents to recover, separately, for their children’s injuries. MN JIG 91.55 states:
When a child is injured, the child has a claim for his/her injuries. His/her parents may also have a claim. The parent’s damages may include:
- The reasonable value of medical supplies, hospital services and health care services necessary in caring for the child;
- The loss of the child’s services the parents would have received up to the date of trial;
- The value of the child’s working time lost as a result of the injury;
- The value of services the mother is reasonably certain to lose in the future until the child is 18; and
- The value of the loss or reduction of child’s future earning capacity the parents are reasonably certain to experience until the child reaches the age of 18.
Parents’ future damages for the loss or reduction of a child’s earning capacity.
In deciding the amount of future damages for the loss or reduction of the child’s future earning capacity until age 18, you should consider:
- Age
- Health
- Skill
- Training
- Experience
- Work Habits; and
- Loss of earning capacity (temporary or permanent)
The attorneys at Walker Law Office, P.A. have handled numerous claims for children and their parents. Often the parents feel guilty for “allowing” their children to be hurt. This guild turns into depression and other more physical ailments. We try to help all parties involved.