Legally Reviewed by Phillip Younglove, Esq. on October 12, 2026
Newport Beach Child Injury Lawyer
When a child is injured because of someone else’s negligence, the legal process looks different from an adult’s claim in several important ways, starting with how much time a family actually has to act. Some of these differences work in a family’s favor. Others create real traps for parents who assume they have more time than they actually do.
At Younglove Law Group, our Newport Beach personal injury attorneys have recovered over $60 million for injured clients throughout California, bringing more than 20 years of combined legal experience to child injury claims. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — California Law Limits Your Window to File
California generally pauses the filing deadline for a minor’s injury claim until they turn 18, but this pause does not apply to claims against a school district or other government entity, which still require action within six months.
Younglove Law Group has recovered over $60 million for injured Californians over more than 20 years of combined legal experience. We handle child injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
Call (949) 691-3660 for a Free Consultation
California’s Special Statute of Limitations Rules for Injured Children
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 352, the two-year deadline that applies to most personal injury claims is generally tolled, or paused, for a minor until their 18th birthday. In practice, this means a child injured at age 10 typically has until age 20 to file a claim, rather than being bound by the standard two-year window that would apply to an adult.
This extended timeline does not mean a family should wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and insurance companies are far better positioned to investigate a claim while the facts are still fresh. Filing promptly, even though the law allows more time, almost always produces a stronger case.
The Government Claims Exception Every Parent Should Know
The tolling described above does not apply to claims against a school district, city, county, or other government entity. If a child is injured at a public school, on a public playground, or because of a government employee’s negligence, California’s Government Claims Act still requires a formal claim to be filed within six months of the incident, regardless of the child’s age. A parent who assumes they can wait until their child turns 18 to pursue a claim against a public entity can lose that right permanently within six months. Identifying whether a government entity may be involved is one of the first things our attorneys evaluate in any child injury case.
A Separate Rule for Medical Malpractice Claims
Birth injuries and other medical malpractice claims involving children follow their own distinct timeline under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 340.5, separate from the general tolling rule above. A child under six years old generally has until their eighth birthday to file, or three years from the date of the injury, whichever is later. A child six or older generally has three years from the date of the wrongful act. These shorter, more specific deadlines make prompt legal consultation especially important in any case involving a birth injury or medical error.
What Are the Most Common Child Injuries in Newport Beach
Children are often more vulnerable to serious injury than adults in the same accident, and the injuries we see most often include traumatic brain injuries, broken or fractured bones, spinal injuries, severe burns, lacerations, and in the most serious cases, a fatality that allows a family to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Common Accidents That Lead to Child Injuries
Our attorneys regularly handle child injury claims arising from a wide range of circumstances, including car and pedestrian accidents, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, defective or hazardous products and toys, amusement and recreation accidents, birth injuries and medical malpractice, and inadequately supervised daycare or school facilities.
Premises Liability and the Attractive Nuisance Doctrine
Property owners in California owe a heightened duty of care when a hazardous condition on their property, such as a swimming pool, trampoline, or construction equipment, is likely to attract a child’s curiosity. Under this doctrine, known as attractive nuisance, a property owner can be held liable for a child’s injury even in situations where an adult trespasser would have no claim at all. This doctrine is frequently relevant in Newport Beach given the prevalence of residential pools and waterfront properties.
How Negligence Is Proven in a Child Injury Claim
Establishing liability requires proving the same four elements as any negligence claim: that the at-fault party owed a duty of care, that they breached that duty, that the breach caused the injury, and that the child suffered real damages as a result. Our attorneys gather the evidence needed to establish each of these elements, working with medical providers, witnesses, and when necessary, expert consultants.
What Compensation Is Available After a Child Injury
California law allows a family to pursue both economic and non-economic damages on a child’s behalf. Economic damages cover emergency treatment, hospitalization, ongoing and future medical care, and any related out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages compensate for the child’s pain and suffering and the lasting impact of the injury on their life. Settlements on behalf of a minor generally require court approval to ensure the arrangement genuinely protects the child’s interests.
What to Do After Your Child Is Injured in Newport Beach
- Seek medical attention immediately. A child’s injuries should always be evaluated promptly, even if they seem minor at first.
- Document everything you can. Photograph the scene, the condition that caused the injury, and your child’s visible injuries.
- Identify whether a government entity may be involved. If the injury happened at a public school or on public property, note this immediately given the shortened six-month filing window.
- Keep records of every medical visit and expense. This documentation will be central to valuing your child’s claim.
- Avoid discussing fault with an insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney. Insurers are not working in your child’s best interest.
- Contact Younglove Law Group promptly. Even with extended filing deadlines for minors, acting early protects evidence and strengthens your child’s claim.
Statute of Limitations for Newport Beach Child Injury Claims
Most child injury claims are governed by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 352, generally giving a minor until their 20th birthday to file. Claims against a government entity require a formal claim within six months of the incident regardless of the child’s age, and medical malpractice claims follow the separate rules under Code of Civil Procedure Section 340.5 described above. Given how easily these overlapping deadlines can be miscalculated, contact Younglove Law Group as soon as possible after your child’s injury.
Frequently Asked Questions About Newport Beach Child Injury Claims
How long do we actually have to file my child’s injury claim?
For most claims, California law pauses the two-year filing deadline until your child turns 18, giving them until age 20 to file. This does not apply to claims against a government entity, such as a public school, which still require a formal claim within six months of the incident regardless of your child’s age.
My child was hurt at a public school playground. Does the same extended deadline apply?
No. California’s tolling rule for minors does not apply to claims against government entities. A claim involving a public school, city park, or other government-operated property requires a formal government claim within six months of the incident. Missing this shortened deadline can bar the claim permanently even though your child is still a minor.
Do I need to wait until my child turns 18 to file a claim on their behalf?
No, and in most cases you should not wait. While the law generally allows a minor until age 20 to file, pursuing the claim promptly while evidence is fresh and witnesses are available almost always produces a stronger result than waiting years later.
What if my child was injured by a dangerous condition on someone’s property, like a pool?
California’s attractive nuisance doctrine can hold a property owner liable for injuries to a child drawn to a hazardous condition like a pool or trampoline, even in situations where an adult would have no claim. Our attorneys evaluate whether this doctrine applies to your child’s specific circumstances.
Does a settlement for my child need court approval?
Generally, yes. California law requires court approval of a settlement on behalf of a minor to ensure the arrangement genuinely serves the child’s best interests. Our attorneys guide families through this process as part of resolving the claim.
How much does it cost to hire a Newport Beach child injury lawyer?
Younglove Law Group handles all child injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your child’s behalf, and we advance all costs of investigating and litigating the claim. If the case does not resolve in your favor, you owe us nothing.
Call (949) 691-3660 for a Free Consultation
We are available 24/7. We care about your situation and want you to understand your legal options.
Younglove Law Group also handles Newport Beach dog bite claims, swimming pool accident claims, pedestrian accident claims, and wrongful death claims throughout the city.
- Client satisfaction is our top priority.
- We pride ourselves on responsiveness and always get back to you the same day you contact us.
- We are a real law firm, not a referral service.
- Your case will be handled by experienced legal professionals.
- Your case will not be passed around with repeated changes to your primary contact.
Contact Younglove Law Group’s Newport Beach Child Injury Attorneys
Attorney Phillip Younglove earned his J.D. from USC Gould School of Law and his B.A. in History from UCLA. Before founding Younglove Law Group, he was a senior attorney at one of the largest personal injury firms in California, where he built a reputation excelling in bad faith insurance claims that most firms consider too complex. That background, combined with over $60 million recovered for injured clients and recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, means your family’s claim is handled by attorneys who understand exactly how the other side builds its defense.
If your child was injured anywhere in Newport Beach, contact Younglove Law Group for a free consultation. Our attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your options, and begin building the strongest possible claim on your child’s behalf.
