If your child has been injured due to a faulty or defective child restraint, it is imperative that you stop using it. You must also keep the seat in your possession, as it will be valuable evidence for your case.

We have developed a set of guidelines that explain exactly what to do should your child be injured as the result of a faulty child restraint. It is absolutely crucial that you provide us with this information. It will help us build the strongest possible case. These guidelines include:

Scene Information Must Be Preserved

• Photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved, skid marks, any property damage (knocked-down signs, dented guardrails), and the child restraint.
• Collect blood, hair, and tissue from car's interior.
• Measure skid marks.
• Take photos of all injuries—bruises, open wounds, scrapes, lacerations, broken bones.
• Secure copies of all medical records and medical expenses.

Conduct Interviews
Gather information from all relevant sources, including:

• Parents
• Witnesses
• Paramedics
• Emergency professionals, including EMTs, physicians, and surgeons

Obtain Collaborative Information

• Was the child properly restrained?
• Was the seat properly installed?
• What types of injuries did the child suffer?
• What was the condition/position of the restraint after the collision?
• Verify make and model of the restraint.

Secure The Evidence

• Secure, retain, and preserve the vehicle in which the child was injured.
• Secure, retain, and preserve the child restraint.
• Obtain any other vehicles that may have been involved in the accident.

Secure Consulting Experts Who Can:

• Reconstruct the accident.
• Speculate injury causation and study biomechanics of accident.
• Understand design.
• Use forensic pathology.

Gather Restraint Information for Defense
Record the following:

• Manufacturer’s name
• Manufacturer of components and add-on parts’ name
• Automobile make, model, and manufacturer’s information

In cases of injuries caused by defective child restraints, time is of the essence. It is important that you act quickly to ensure your family and child the just compensation to which they are rightfully entitled. Please do not hesitate to contact Waltman & Grisham today.