Can my 6 year old get compensation for a hotel injury?

Did your son have to get medical treatment and do you have any out of pocket medical expenses?

It depends on what his injury was and how much his medical bills were. $500.00 does not sound like enough, but more information is needed to answer your question.

I think you should get a lot more than $500.

Did your son receive any medical treatment for his injuries?

As with most legal questions, the answer "depends." If you son suffered no permanent injuries from the incident and the $500 compensates for any medical expenses, then likely the $500 is reasonable. If, on the other hand, there are medical bills and permanent injuries, then it's probably not enough.

Can your six-year-old get compensation from the hotel? Yes. They've already offered $500 for his damages. There are two issues involved here. The first is liability. I am very suspicious of the idea that the hotel fuse box burned out, causing your son's injury. Unless the hotel has clearly admitted that this was the cause of the injury, this will be a difficult case to litigate. Second, it may well be difficult to hold the hotel responsible if the injury was caused by fuse box. Third, without knowing the exact details of your son's injury, it is hard for me to one imagine that the damages are significant enough to warrant litigation.

Yes. But what happened to the table lamp? You may need the table lamp to prove why is shorted out.

If your son is now okay, then take the money. It may prove difficult to establish that the hotel was at fault.

You may be able to receive more based on your son's injury. If his fingertip was simply burned then I don't think your damages are significant and $500.00 may actually be high. If he has a permanent injury to his fingers then the amount is too low.

It depends on the all-important issue in premises liability cases of "liability". The claimant has to prove that the landowner had what is called "superior knowledge" of the hazardous condition. If the insurance company is offering to cover the medical bills & a little for pain & suffering, you should try to settle, assuming that there are not any serious and/or permanent injuries. Here, there do not appear to be.

The answer to your actual Question ("Can my 6 year old get compensation for a hotel injury?") is yes assuming that your son did not intentionally do anything that caused him to get shocked and burned. If all your son was doing was turning the table lamp on or off, I do not see that he did anything wrong. As to the questions posted in the Detail section, I cannot answer whether $500.00 is a fair amount for your son's injuries. A lot more information would be necessary to determine what the case might be worth. A person is entitled to be compensated for an injury. A person is entitled to compensation, that is, money, for an injury (or injuries) based on the following factors: (1) The nature and extent of the injury, including whether the injury is temporary or permanent [and whether any resulting disability is partial or total]; (2) the reasonable value of the medical care and supplies reasonably needed by and actually provided to your son [and reasonably certain to be needed and provided in the future]; (3) the wages you lost caring for your son; (4) [the reasonable value of the earning capacity your son is reasonably certain to lose in the future]; (5) the physical pain and mental suffering your son has experienced [and is reasonably certain to experience in the future]; and (6) the "inconvenience" your son has experienced [and is reasonably certain to experience in the future]. The most important question is whether any of your son's injuries are permanent. If so, that dramatically changes the value of the case. Other than indicating your son got "shocked and burned" you do not indicate whether the burn left any permanent marks or any other residual effects. You also do not indicate whether your son received any medical treatment. Again, without more information I cannot answer whether you should accept the insurance company's offer or if you could get more. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free, initial consultation. I would strong suggest contacting an attorney. While they may not tell you exactly what your son's case is worth, the attorney could tell you whether they could get your son more. DISCLAIMER: This response is based on the limited information provided, makes certain assumptions, and assumes that all events took place in Nebraska. In addition, this response is not a substitute for professional legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. If you ignore this warning and convey confidential information in a private message or comment, there is no duty to keep that information confidential or forego representation adverse to your interests. You should seek the advice of a licensed attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction before taking any action that may affect your rights. If you believe you have a claim, you should consult an attorney immediately, otherwise there is a risk that the time allotted to bring your claim may expire.

Take what you can get. It is not a case that would be productive of much income and would take a lot of time and money to handle.

As guardian of your child, you will need to file suit on this case. However, if your son is not badly injured and not traumatized from the incident, you may want to try a counter offer of your own. If they offered $500, go with $2,000 - unless you acquired medical bills of any significant amount. Then play the haggling game with the adjuster until you are happy with their offer. If you are not happy with their final offer or you feel as though you should be compensated more than $2000 - then contact a personal injury attorney to see if they would be interested in your case.

If there is no permanent injury to his finger thats not an unreasonable offer. You can always try to negotiate for more and there is no down side to asking for more as they will not pull the original $500 off the table. If there were medical bills, they should pay for them in addition to the $500 or more.

A burn-out in the fuse box would not cause an electrical shock. Rather, it sounds like there was a short in the lamp switch which caused the shock and when that happened, a fuse blew, which is what is supposed to happen. It would be very difficult to prove that the hotel knew or should have known of the defective switch. Were there any medical expenses? Permanent scars? Tell the insurance company you want $2,500. If they up their offer, take it. If they don't, take the $500.

Yes he can. However, as a minor, his parents have to act on his behalf. You may want to consult with a plaintiff's accident and/or personal injury lawyer for specific legal advice with respect to the amount of damages you should demand and accept for your son's injuries and related expenses.

If your son's fingertip does not have any scarring or other residual problems, and your are sure he has no other sequelae from the incident, then $500 is not a bad amount. You might try to ask for more by suggesting $1,000 and see if they're willing to split the difference with you.

Any injury is compensated by the degree of injury. Hotels are not free and have a duty to their guest to inspect and remove hazards. If it is a minor burn without scars, then you may accept the money. If there is treatment or medical bills, then this is inadequate.

Tell them a lawyer said $1000, but you will take $850 if they don't haggle and make you go hire a lawyer.