Chicago Child Injury Lawyers for Families of Hurt Minors

When a child is seriously injured, it’s never “just a case.” It’s your son or daughter, their future, and your family’s peace of mind. Our Chicago child injury lawyers help parents and guardians across Illinois pursue accountability and compensation when negligence harms a minor—so you can focus on caring for your child while we handle the legal and insurance battles.

Illinois Child Injury Cases – Unique Challenges Families Face

Child injury cases are different from adult claims in almost every respect. Kids may not be able to fully describe what happened, injuries can affect growth and development, and the long-term impact on schooling, activities, and independence can be hard to predict. Legally, there are often special rules and procedures when the injured person is a minor, including different time limits, court approval of settlements, and extra protections to make sure a child’s recovery is used for their benefit.



At the same time, families are juggling hospital visits, therapy appointments, school issues, and the emotional toll of seeing a child in pain. You may be dealing with daycare providers, schools, property owners, or insurance adjusters who insist it was “just an accident” or that your child “should have been more careful.” When you work with a Chicago child injury lawyer who understands these dynamics, you get a team that takes the legal weight off your shoulders, explains your options in plain language, and builds a claim that reflects the full impact on your child and your family.

Common Causes of Injuries to Children and Minors in Chicago and Across Illinois

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Two children, a boy and a girl, holding hands with arms raised, smiling.
Daycare and Childcare Injuries

Parents trust daycare and childcare providers to create a safe, supervised environment. Injuries can happen when staff-to-child ratios are too low, supervision is lax, or hazardous conditions are ignored. Falls from playground equipment, choking incidents, unsafe sleep practices, access to cleaning chemicals, and rough or inappropriate treatment are just a few examples. We review policies, training, staffing records, and prior complaints to understand whether the daycare truly lived up to its responsibilities.

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School, Camp, and After-School Program Incidents

Schools and youth programs are supposed to protect children while they learn, play sports, or participate in activities. Injuries can result from unsafe facilities, failure to supervise, bullying or assaults, dangerous athletic practices, or transportation issues. We look at what staff knew or should have known, how they responded to risks, whether rules were enforced, and whether your child’s injury was preventable with reasonable care.

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Car, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Crashes Involving Children

Children are especially vulnerable as passengers, pedestrians, and young cyclists. Drivers who speed through neighborhoods, ignore school-zone warnings, roll through stop signs, or fail to check crosswalks can cause devastating injuries in a split second. We examine traffic laws, sightlines, signage, and driver behavior to show how negligence behind the wheel led to your child’s injuries and what that means for an Illinois child injury claim

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Dangerous Property Conditions and Premises Hazards

Kids are drawn to pools, trampolines, play structures, and other attractions—sometimes referred to legally as “attractive nuisances.” When property owners fail to protect children from obvious dangers, such as unfenced pools, broken equipment, unsecured firearms, aggressive dogs, or hazardous construction areas, the results can be life-changing. We investigate how accessible the danger was, what the owner knew about it, and what steps they did or did not take to protect children from harm.

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Defective Products, Toys, and Household Items

Children’s products are supposed to be designed with safety in mind, yet defects in cribs, car seats, strollers, toys, clothing, electronics, and other items can lead to choking, strangulation, burns, falls, or poisoning. In these cases, responsibility may lie with manufacturers, distributors, or retailers—not just the person who purchased the item. We work to identify product defects, obtain recall and safety information, and assess whether a product liability claim may be appropriate.

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Medical Negligence, Birth Injuries, and Long-Term Harm

When medical professionals fail to meet accepted standards of care, children can suffer injuries that affect them for a lifetime—during labor and delivery, routine pediatric care, emergency treatment, or surgery. These cases often involve complex medical and legal questions, including how an error will affect a child’s development over time. We consult with qualified experts to understand what went wrong and whether a provider’s choices fell below the standard of care.

What to Expect From Our Child Injury Team

From the moment you contact us, we understand that your first priority is your child—not forms, deadlines, or legal terms. Our initial role is to listen: What happened? What has your child been through medically? What are your biggest worries right now? From there, we outline a plan that may include:


  • Gathering incident reports, school or daycare records, and other documentation
  • Reviewing medical records and speaking with your child’s doctors to understand the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outlook
  • Collecting photos, video, and witness statements, where available
  • Evaluating whether multiple parties may share responsibility (for example, a property owner and a product manufacturer)
  • Determining which insurance policies may apply—from homeowners’ and commercial coverage to auto or specialty policies
  • Documenting not just medical bills, but also missed work for parents, special services, and changes in your child’s daily life


Our team handles communications with insurers, institutions, and opposing counsel so you aren’t left fielding detailed questions or feeling pressured to sign documents you don’t fully understand. Throughout your case, we explain each step in plain English, talk through decisions like settlement versus trial, and keep you updated so you always know what’s happening and why.

Standing Up to Institutions, Insurers, and “Just an Accident” Excuses

When a child is hurt at a daycare, school, business, or other institution, it’s common for the organization to circle the wagons. Staff may insist they “followed all procedures,” minimize the seriousness of the injury, or suggest your child was simply clumsy or not following directions. Insurance adjusters may focus narrowly on immediate medical bills while ignoring the broader impact on your child’s development, education, and emotional health.


At Alberts & Eiler, P.C., we dig deeper. Our attorneys bring more than 30 years of combined experience working both for and against insurance companies and have completed over 100 jury trials as a team. We understand how insurers and institutions evaluate child injury claims, where they tend to undervalue long-term harm, and what kinds of evidence persuade them—and, when necessary, judges and juries.


Because we intentionally maintain a smaller caseload, your child’s case receives focused, hands-on attention from experienced lawyers. That means carefully documenting how the injury affects school performance, friendships, sports and activities, sleep, and mental health—not just what shows up on hospital bills. When responsible parties try to hide behind “accidents happen,” we use policies, records, and expert testimony to show where reasonable care was missing and why your child’s experience matters.

Common Questions About Child Injuries in Chicago and Across Illinois

  • Who can bring a claim when a child is injured?

    Because minors cannot file lawsuits on their own, a parent or legal guardian typically brings the claim on the child’s behalf. In some situations, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem or take additional steps to oversee the case and any settlement. We’ll explain how this works in your situation and who will be named in the legal paperwork, so you know exactly what role you’ll play.

  • Are there different time limits when the injured person is a child?

    Yes, and this is one of the reasons it’s important to speak with a lawyer familiar with Illinois child injury law. In many cases, time limits (statutes of limitation) may be extended because the injured person is a minor, but there are important exceptions—especially when government entities, schools, or certain healthcare providers are involved. Waiting too long can still put your child’s rights at risk. We review the specifics of your situation and map out the deadlines that apply so you don’t miss critical windows.

  • What should I do if my child is hurt at daycare, school, or a friend’s home?

    First, get the medical care your child needs. Ask for an incident report to be completed, and request a copy if possible. Write down the names of staff or adults who were present, and, if you can, take photos of the area where the injury happened and any visible hazards. Keep any emails, texts, or notes from the facility or other parents. Avoid making statements that minimize the injury (“they’re fine now”) or speculating about fault. Before discussing the incident in detail with an insurance adjuster or signing any forms, talk with a child injury attorney about how to protect your child’s claim.

  • Will my child have to go to court or testify?

    Many child injury cases resolve through settlement without a trial, especially when the evidence is strong and the full impact of the injuries is clearly documented. Even when a lawsuit is filed, our goal is to minimize stress on your child. In some instances, especially when a settlement for a minor must be approved by a judge, a brief court appearance may be necessary—but that looks very different from a full trial, and we prepare families for what to expect. If testimony ever becomes an issue, we talk through options to protect your child as much as possible.

  • How are settlements handled when the injured person is a minor?

    Courts often take extra steps to ensure that a settlement is fair and that funds are used for the child’s benefit. That may involve court approval, restricted accounts, structured settlements, or other safeguards. Part of our job is to advise you on options for managing any recovery—both for immediate needs (like medical bills or specialized equipment) and for longer-term goals (such as education or future care). We help you understand the pros and cons of each approach so you can make informed choices for your child.

  • What types of compensation are available in a child injury case?

    Depending on the facts, a child injury claim may seek compensation for medical expenses, future treatment and therapy, assistive devices, and other healthcare needs; for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of normal childhood activities; and, in serious cases, for long-term disability, special education needs, or reduced earning capacity as an adult. Parents may also have related claims for certain out-of-pocket costs. Our focus is on understanding how the injury will affect your child’s life over time and building a case that reflects those realities—not just today’s bills.

Ready to Talk With a Chicago Child Injury Lawyer?

If your child has been injured because someone else was careless—at a daycare, school, on the road, on dangerous property, or anywhere else in Chicago or across Illinois—you don’t have to figure out your legal options alone. Our firm combines deep insurance-industry insight, substantial trial experience, and a deliberately hands-on, family-centered approach. We offer free, confidential consultations, and you do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for your child.