When a child is injured by gun violence, the impact is immediate and long-lasting. Families are forced to deal with medical care, emotional trauma, and long-term changes to the child’s future. Our Atlanta, GA gun violence lawyer knows that in addition to the personal toll, there’s also a serious financial burden. Parents often ask if there’s any way to pursue compensation to help cover these costs and support their child’s recovery. In many cases, the answer is yes. Most of our clients are represented on a contingent-fee basis, so call our office to see what we can do for you.
Medical Expenses And Long-Term Care
Children injured in shootings often need extensive medical treatment—emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and sometimes lifelong medical support. A civil claim can seek compensation for all related costs, both immediate and ongoing. This might include hospital bills, rehabilitation, mobility aids, medications, and even future surgeries if the injury leads to long-term complications.
If a child will require in-home assistance, special education services, or modifications to their living space, those costs can also be part of the compensation request.
Pain And Suffering
Gun violence causes significant physical and emotional pain, especially for children. These events are traumatic, and recovery can take years. Civil claims often include compensation for the pain the child has already endured and will likely continue to face. This includes not just physical suffering, but also psychological effects like anxiety, PTSD, or fear of public places.
These non-economic damages can be difficult to measure in dollars, but they are just as important to address as the physical harm.
Emotional Trauma And Mental Health Treatment
Children may struggle emotionally after a shooting. They might need counseling, trauma therapy, or long-term support to deal with fear, grief, or emotional distress. A claim can cover the cost of mental health care for as long as it’s needed. In many cases, this kind of support helps prevent long-term issues and gives the child a better chance at recovery.
It’s also common for family members to experience emotional strain. Parents and siblings often face stress, grief, or burnout as they try to care for an injured child. Although the main focus is on the child, the family’s well-being matters too.
Holding Others Financially Responsible
A child’s injuries may be the result of someone’s negligence. That might be a property owner who failed to provide proper security, a gun owner who left a weapon unsecured, or a business that allowed a dangerous situation to go unchecked. In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility. In many of these cases, compensation may be available through a premises liability claim if the injury occurred on a property where the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable violence.
By filing a civil lawsuit, families can hold those parties accountable. While the criminal justice system may punish the shooter, a civil claim focuses on financial recovery for the victim and their family.
Victim Compensation Programs
In addition to filing a lawsuit, some states offer victim compensation programs. These programs provide limited financial assistance to victims of violent crime, including children. They may help cover medical expenses, mental health counseling, or other costs related to the injury. However, these programs often have caps and may not provide enough support on their own.
At Deitch + Rogers, we believe every child deserves the chance to heal and move forward after a violent injury. If your family is dealing with the aftermath of gun violence, we’re here to talk through your options. We believe in getting justice by obtaining compensation from the responsible party. Contact us today for a consultation to learn how we can help you seek justice and the support your child needs.