After an accident, a child may not use the words an adult would use. A young child may say nothing hurts but stop using an arm, refuse food, sleep differently, or become unusually quiet. An older child may describe dizziness as “feeling weird.” Parents should report those changes without trying to diagnose them.
When to seek emergency care
Get appropriate medical help after a significant impact, and seek emergency care for danger signs such as a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, unusual confusion or behavior, weakness, unequal pupils, or difficulty waking. The CDC lists danger signs after a traumatic brain injury. Follow emergency instructions rather than waiting to see whether the symptom appears in a claim file.
For concussion symptoms that are not emergencies, CDC HEADS UP explains changes caregivers may notice in physical comfort, thinking, mood, and sleep. HealthyChildren.org and Mayo Clinic also describe symptoms such as headache, dizziness, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating.
A child who looks comfortable during one visit may still show a problem later at home or school. That possibility does not mean every change was caused by the accident. It means the timing, examination, and observations should be recorded accurately.
Look for changes from the child’s usual routine
Instead of asking only, “Does it hurt?” notice whether the child is walking, playing, eating, sleeping, reading, using electronics, and participating in school as usual. Tell the clinician if the child:
- protects an arm or leg, limps, or avoids bearing weight;
- complains about light, noise, headache, nausea, or dizziness;
- has new trouble concentrating, remembering, or completing familiar work;
- wakes repeatedly, sleeps much more, or has new nightmares;
- becomes unusually irritable, fearful, withdrawn, or tearful; or
- reports stomach pain, breathing difficulty, chest pain, or worsening tenderness.
Children’s bones are still developing. AAOS guidance on growth-plate fractures describes pain, swelling, and difficulty putting pressure on the affected limb. A normal-looking arm or leg does not rule out an injury that requires an examination.
Some internal injuries are not obvious from the skin. Cleveland Clinic explains signs of internal bleeding and the need for hospital evaluation. Changes in breathing, color, alertness, abdominal pain, or energy after trauma warrant medical attention.
Emotional symptoms deserve the same accuracy
Fear, sleep disruption, headaches, stomachaches, or concentration problems may follow a frightening event. The National Institute of Mental Health describes ways children and adolescents may respond to traumatic events. Its PTSD overview explains that children and teenagers can show symptoms differently from adults.
Do not assume that every bad night or behavior change is a psychiatric injury. Tell the pediatrician what you observed, when it began, and how long it lasted. School staff, counselors, and other qualified providers may add useful observations when care is needed.
Preserve the child’s actual record
Keep discharge instructions, medication lists, referrals, and school or activity restrictions. A brief calendar can record missed school, nurse visits, appointments, and important symptoms. Use the child’s own words when possible. Record improvement as carefully as worsening.
Save photographs of visible injuries, braces, casts, and the accident scene. Keep the report number, witness information, and available video. If a car seat or booster was involved, preserve photographs, model information, installation details, and the seat itself until replacement and evidence questions are addressed.
NHTSA publishes car-seat and booster guidance. Its separate post-crash car-seat guidance explains when replacement is recommended. Replace a seat when safety guidance calls for it, but document the seat and crash before disposal when possible.
Minor settlements have added safeguards
A parent can help investigate and pursue a child’s claim, but a settlement involving a minor is not handled exactly like an adult settlement. Louisiana procedure provides court oversight for actions affecting a minor’s interest. Code of Civil Procedure article 4271 addresses court approval, and article 4265 addresses a tutor’s authority to compromise an action with approval.
When money is paid for a minor, Code of Civil Procedure article 4521 permits protective arrangements that can include a registry deposit, approved investment, trust, or structured payment. The correct method depends on the case and the court. Parents should understand the proposed gross settlement, expenses, medical payoffs, fee, protected amount, and access restrictions before approval.
Deadlines and fault still require event-specific review
Civil Code article 3493.1 sets a general two-year prescriptive period for many delictual claims arising on or after July 1, 2024. Minority, special defendants, medical malpractice, and other circumstances may affect the analysis. Do not choose a filing date from a general article without reviewing the child’s event and claim type.
For incidents governed by the current rule effective January 1, 2026, Civil Code article 2323 can reduce or bar recovery based on fault. Insurers may examine supervision, restraint use, warnings, or the actions of other people. Preserve the evidence instead of assuming the child’s age resolves the fault question by itself.
Our child injury practice and car accident practice explain the related medical, evidence, and insurance issues.
Call (225) 500-5000 if you need help preserving evidence or understanding the approval process after a child’s injury.
Editorial & Legal Accuracy Notice
This article provides general legal, medical, and safety information, not advice or a diagnosis for an individual child. Symptoms, medical history, event dates, responsible parties, and claim type can change the analysis.