What happens when a child injures an adult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A child accidentally dropped an 20 oz metal water bottle on my head from about 10-12 feet above me today. My preschooler was sitting next to me, but did not get hit. The parent apologized, but never once asked if I was ok. I said I probably had a concussion (I did) and that my preschooler would have gotten a skull fracture if that had fallen on their head. I ended up asking the parent for their contact information as I honestly had no idea how bad my head injury was and the parent declined. The location we were at then took an incident report and told me if I wanted that information I would need to file a police report. I’m not filing a police report, but I wanted to ask if it’s out of line to ask for a parent’s contact info if a child injures you (like a concussion level type injury)? I was in shock and going by what you do when you’re in a car accident.

Yes you were completely out of line. That wasn’t appropriate at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no requirement to exchange information. And honestly I wouldn’t hand out my contact information to people I don’t know. I mean why did you want it?

If something catastrophic happened I would have asked them to assume some of the cost or I would have asked the facility to do that. I’m not a lawyer or a doctor. It was about optionality…and the physical damage to my head was way worse than any car accident I’ve been in, so somewhere it seemed to make sense to exchange info.

You had some idea you would sue them? Oh FFS. Shit happens.

Do you have a personality disorder? Because the way you think is wrong. What a strange thought process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your insurance company may want to go after the other family. I would file a police report to cover all bases

Her insurance will likely go after the sports facility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A child accidentally dropped an 20 oz metal water bottle on my head from about 10-12 feet above me today. My preschooler was sitting next to me, but did not get hit. The parent apologized, but never once asked if I was ok. I said I probably had a concussion (I did) and that my preschooler would have gotten a skull fracture if that had fallen on their head. I ended up asking the parent for their contact information as I honestly had no idea how bad my head injury was and the parent declined. The location we were at then took an incident report and told me if I wanted that information I would need to file a police report. I’m not filing a police report, but I wanted to ask if it’s out of line to ask for a parent’s contact info if a child injures you (like a concussion level type injury)? I was in shock and going by what you do when you’re in a car accident.

Yes you were completely out of line. That wasn’t appropriate at all.

So if a child dropped a metal 3 pound weight on your head and the mom called down “sorry he ran away from me - it was an accident” you would just be like “shit happens nbd” and then drive yourself and your kids to the ER without saying anything to anyone? If your child dropped a full metal water bottle on someone’s head and gave them a concussion you would just be like “sorry - shit happens”?

[Anonymous]

I understand you’re upset and angry about what happened, but this is an accident. Sometimes there’s no one to blame. The parent’s reaction doesn’t change the fact that it was an accident. I hope you feel better soon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the facility would have been culpable. This is also why you have insurance, and if they think they can put it on someone else, they will. Smart to try to get their info, but they’re not obligated to give it to you. It’s also smart to have an umbrella liability policy. We have a huge one to cover things like this.

Actually I can see the facility being culpable. I probably would have tried to get the name of the parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old was the child - was it another preschooler like yours?

In general the law doesn't recognize criminal culpability in very young children.

Are you just upset because the kid's parent is clearly anti-social on some level? I mean I get that, I do. They should have apologized profusely and been very concerned with your well being.

But that said, if it was a young child I'm not sure what else you'd expect?

She expects the parent to pay her medical bills and any reoccurring treatments for her concussion, in the form of a large insurance settlement, duh.

[Anonymous]

Fake news

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If that water bottle had landed on your 3 year old and caused catastrophic damage of course the parent could be charged for negligent supervision of her child. I think you could sue too for your concussion. You should have collected witness statements (from people near the mom and offending kid) as well as filed a police report.

No the parent would unlike be criminally charged with anything. But they would likely be liable for expenses, but OP would likely have to sue for them to pay out of have their insurances negotiate a settlement. Which OP could do this time too…but I don’t know how you’d do that if they refuse to exchange info or leave before police arrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no requirement to exchange information. And honestly I wouldn’t hand out my contact information to people I don’t know. I mean why did you want it?

If something catastrophic happened I would have asked them to assume some of the cost or I would have asked the facility to do that. I’m not a lawyer or a doctor. It was about optionality…and the physical damage to my head was way worse than any car accident I’ve been in, so somewhere it seemed to make sense to exchange info.

You had some idea you would sue them? Oh FFS. Shit happens.

Do you have a personality disorder? Because the way you think is wrong. What a strange thought process.

I'm wondering if the reason the mother of this child was not more concerned about OP's well being is because of OP's reaction and behavior after?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds fake.

Why do you think so? I am not OP but this situation, unfortunately, sounds quite possible.

Agree …where did this happen anyway OP? A mall or something?

It happened in a sports complex. I suggested in the incident report I completed that they should put netting in to prevent this from happening again (this was suggested by my kindergartner) and they should add signs in the second floor viewing area that people shouldn’t lean over the railing while holding items. Hopefully the sports complex will do this because if a child is hit by a similar object it could be devastating.

This ^^ (re: offering to pay) opens up a huge can of worms.
It starts out with a trip to urgent care, then a doctor appt, then xrays/CT scan, then OP will say now she has neck pain, then needs time off from work, then PT, chiropractor...see how this is now an avalanche....and you want to give out ypur persinal info and offer to pay?
Fool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the facility would have been culpable. This is also why you have insurance, and if they think they can put it on someone else, they will. Smart to try to get their info, but they’re not obligated to give it to you. It’s also smart to have an umbrella liability policy. We have a huge one to cover things like this.

But the other parent’s liability insurance or umbrella insurance should be the one to cover OPs medical expenses. But what do you do if they refuse to exchange info? Is their info in the incident report the sports complex made? Perhaps talk to your insurance about this OP. They will want to make someone else pay, be it the complex or this other person if they are at fault for this.

[Anonymous]

I would not give you my contact info. You were clearly looking for money. I would have apologized profusely though.

Accidents happen in life, OP. This was an accident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds fake.

Why do you think so? I am not OP but this situation, unfortunately, sounds quite possible.

Agree …where did this happen anyway OP? A mall or something?

It happened in a sports complex. I suggested in the incident report I completed that they should put netting in to prevent this from happening again (this was suggested by my kindergartner) and they should add signs in the second floor viewing area that people shouldn’t lean over the railing while holding items. Hopefully the sports complex will do this because if a child is hit by a similar object it could be devastating.

This ^^ (re: offering to pay) opens up a huge can of worms.
It starts out with a trip to urgent care, then a doctor appt, then xrays/CT scan, then OP will say now she has neck pain, then needs time off from work, then PT, chiropractor...see how this is now an avalanche....and you want to give out ypur persinal info and offer to pay?
Fool.

I agree. But you are still liable for damages when you (or a minor child) hurts someone. Your insurance company, and theirs, will deal with it. Insurance companies know everyone tries to milk as large of a settlement as possible and they will fight them, negotiate, and go to court for you if needed.

[Anonymous]

Why are people suggesting calling the police because a young child accidentally dropped something? That is in no way a crime, either by the young child or the parent. And assuming that the dropped item was something reasonable for the child to have (and a water bottle is!) I don't see the negligence either.

Accidents happen, OP. I'm sorry. But it's not anyone's fault.