Alabama Child Abuse Attorneys

Standing Up for the Rights of Children in Alabama

Child abuse can have a serious and long-lasting impact on a child’s life. Victims of child abuse may suffer from physical injuries, emotional trauma, and other long-term effects. If your child has been abused, the most important thing you can do as a parent is to ensure their immediate safety. Once you have done so, you may wish to take legal action against the person or entity that caused your child harm.

Morris Haynes Attorneys, P.C. is here to help. Our Alabama child abuse lawyers have extensive experience representing the victims of abuse and their families. We understand the unique challenges you are facing, and we are prepared to fight tirelessly for the justice your child deserves. As your advocates, we will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your family and your child’s healing. We offer compassionate, personalized legal guidance and aggressive advocacy when you need it most.

Learn more about how we can help you during a free, confidential consultation. Call (205) 973-6915or contact us onlineto request your case evaluation today.

What is Considered Child Abuse in Alabama?

Child abuse refers to the maltreatment of a child, encompassing physical, emotional, sexual, or neglectful actions that cause harm or potential harm to the child's well-being. Child abuse can occur in various settings, including homes, schools, places of worship, or communities. It is a serious and widespread problem with significant and lasting consequences for the victims.

Under Alabama law, child abuse includes the following:

• Physical Abuse: Involves the intentional use of force that results in injury or bodily harm to a child. Examples include hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or any other form of physical harm.
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Involves the infliction of emotional or mental anguish on a child. Examples include constant criticism, humiliation, rejection, or exposure to violence within the family.
• Sexual Abuse: Involves any non-consensual sexual activity imposed on a child. Examples include molestation, rape, incest, or any other form of sexual exploitation.
• Neglect: Involves the failure to provide the necessary care, supervision, or support needed for a child's health and well-being. Examples include inadequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or lack of emotional support.
• Medical Neglect: Involves the failure to provide appropriate medical care or treatment for a child's health conditions. It can lead to serious health consequences or exacerbate existing medical issues.
• Educational Neglect: Involves the failure to ensure a child receives adequate education. This can include not enrolling a child in school, not addressing special educational needs, or not providing the necessary resources for learning.
• Abandonment: Involves the desertion or willful forsaking of a child by a parent or caregiver. It may include leaving a child without adequate supervision or support.

Child abuse is a serious problem in the U.S., with hundreds of thousands of children suffering from various forms of abuse each year. In Alabama, child abuse is defined under the Child Protection Act. This Act outlines the various types of abuse, as well as the state’s reporting requirements.

Child abuse can be committed by any person who has access to a child, including parents, guardians, family members, teachers, coaches, neighbors, and others. In many cases, child abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts. In some cases, child abuse occurs at the hands of another child.

What Are the Signs of Child Abuse?

Child abuse can be difficult to recognize, as victims may be too young to tell someone what is happening or may be afraid to speak out. However, there are often signs that a child is being abused. It is important to be aware of these signs and to take action if you suspect a child is being abused.

The signs of child abuse can vary, depending on the type of abuse. Some common signs include:

• Physical Abuse:
  • Unexplained bruises, welts, or burns in areas not typically injured accidentally.
  • Frequent injuries or injuries inconsistent with the explanation given.
  • Wearing clothing that is inappropriate for the weather to hide injuries.
  • Fear of going home or of a specific person.
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse:
  • Extreme behavior, such as overly compliant or withdrawn.
  • Low self-esteem or self-worth.
  • Frequent nightmares or changes in sleep patterns.
  • Developmental delays or regression in behavior.
  • Inappropriate emotional reactions to situations.
• Sexual Abuse:
  • Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior for the child's age.
  • Unexplained fear or avoidance of specific people or places.
  • Sudden changes in behavior, including withdrawal or aggression.
  • Physical symptoms such as difficulty walking or sitting, pain, itching, or bleeding in the genital or anal area.
• Neglect:
  • Consistently poor hygiene, including dirty clothes and untreated injuries.
  • Unattended medical or dental needs.
  • Consistent hunger or signs of malnutrition.
  • Frequent absences from school or inadequate supervision.
  • Lack of appropriate clothing for the weather.
• Medical Neglect:
  • Untreated medical conditions or chronic illnesses.
  • Failure to thrive or persistent weight loss.
  • Consistent lack of necessary prescription medications.
• Educational Neglect:
  • Chronic absenteeism or frequent changes in schools.
  • Lack of age-appropriate educational materials or supervision.
  • Limited engagement in educational activities.
• Abandonment:
  • Desertion by a parent or caregiver.
  • Lack of supervision or support for the child's basic needs.

How Long Do I Have to File a Child Abuse Lawsuit in Alabama?

Like all other states, Alabama has a statute of limitations for child abuse lawsuits. In the state of Alabama, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim for child abuse is generally two years from the date the abuse was discovered or should have been discovered. However, the statute of limitations may be extended in certain cases.

The statute of limitations may be extended if:

• The victim was under the age of 19 at the time of the abuse
• The victim suffers from a mental illness or other cognitive disability that prevents them from filing a claim
• The victim is filing a claim against a public entity or employee

In addition, the statute of limitations for filing a claim for child abuse may be extended if the victim is filing a wrongful death claim. If your loved one died as a result of child abuse, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the person or entity that caused their death. The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Alabama is generally two years from the date of the victim’s death.

The statute of limitations is a strict deadline. If you fail to file a claim before the deadline expires, you will be unable to recover compensation for your damages. You should, therefore, reach out to an experienced Alabama child abuse attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options.

What Damages Are Available in a Child Abuse Lawsuit?

Child abuse can have a serious and long-lasting impact on a child’s life. Victims of child abuse may suffer from physical injuries, emotional trauma, and other long-term effects. As a result, victims of child abuse may be entitled to significant compensation for their damages.

Depending on the circumstances, victims of child abuse may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Lost wages and income
• Loss of future earnings
• Disability and disfigurement
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium/companionship
• Punitive damages

In most cases, a child abuse lawsuit is filed by the child’s parent or guardian, not by the child themselves. However, the damages in a child abuse lawsuit are intended to compensate the child for their injuries, not the parent or guardian. The child’s parent or guardian is filing the claim on their behalf, as the child is legally unable to do so.

At Morris Haynes Attorneys, P.C., we understand the unique challenges you are facing, and we are prepared to fight tirelessly for the justice your child deserves. Our Alabama child abuse lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and work to recover the maximum compensation your child is owed.

How Our Alabama Child Abuse Attorneys Can Help

At Morris Haynes Attorneys, P.C., we are committed to helping the victims of abuse and their families. We understand just how devastating child abuse can be, and we are prepared to fight tirelessly for the justice your child deserves. Our Alabama child abuse attorneys can help you take legal action against the person or entity that caused your child harm, whether that be an individual, a school, a daycare, or another entity.

When you choose our team, you can expect:

• Compassionate counsel: We understand that this is a difficult time for your family. Our team is here to provide the compassionate legal guidance you need and deserve every step of the way.
• Personalized attention: We know that no two cases are alike. That’s why we take the time to listen to your story and to understand your unique needs and goals.
• Aggressive advocacy: We are not afraid to take on the big guys. Our firm has the experience, resources, and skills to go up against major corporations, insurance companies, and other powerful entities.
• Proven results: We have a track record of success. Our team has recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we are prepared to put our experience to work for you.
• No fees unless we win: We do not charge any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. In fact, we only collect attorneys’ fees if we are successful in recovering compensation for you.

Our Alabama child abuse attorneys can help you take legal action against the person or entity that caused your child harm. We are prepared to fight for the justice your child deserves.

Request a free, confidential case evaluation today; call (205) 973-6915or submit an online request formto get started.