San Diego Child Injury Lawyer

When a child is hurt, time seems to stop. Parents rush to comfort, to find out what went wrong, to make sense of it. In San Diego, many families face this moment because someone failed to take safety seriously, whether it was a distracted driver near a school, a neglected playground, or a preventable mistake in medical care.

For more than 47 years, Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire has represented children and families across San Diego who are living through these moments. Our attorneys have recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements by holding negligent parties accountable and helping families secure the resources needed for long-term care and recovery.

The days that follow a serious injury can be overwhelming. Between medical visits, therapy appointments, and uncertainty about the future, parents often feel alone in the process. Our firm stands beside families, guiding them through each step and fighting to give their children the strongest possible chance at healing.

Contact a San Diego child injury attorney at (619) 236-9363 or reach out online for a free case review. We will listen carefully and explain how we can help your family move forward.

Common Causes of Child Injuries in San Diego

San Diego offers children countless places to play and learn, from schoolyards and community parks to beaches and neighborhood streets. Parents expect those spaces to be safe. Yet each year, injuries occur because safety rules are overlooked or responsibility is ignored.

School and Playground Injuries

Many child injuries happen in places meant for play and learning. Parks like Kate Sessions and Mission Bay, along with schools across the county, have seen preventable falls and equipment failures.

• About 70% of playground injuries involve equipment that fails to meet safety standards.
• Unsafe surfaces, poor maintenance, and limited supervision contribute to many incidents.
• San Diego Unified and nearby districts report thousands of student injuries each year during recess, sports, and school events.

Tip for San Diego Parents: You can request inspection or incident reports from schools and childcare centers through the San Diego County Office of Education or directly from the facility. These records show whether safety issues were reported before your child's injury.

Traffic and Pedestrian Accidents

Busy streets in North Park, Mission Valley, and Chula Vista create risks for children walking or biking to school.

• Speeding and distracted drivers are frequent causes of crashes.
• Defective car seats and unsafe crosswalks can make collisions more severe.
• Hundreds of children are treated in San Diego emergency departments each year for traumatic brain injuries, many linked to vehicle accidents.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Dog attacks are a common source of severe harm to children in San Diego.

• Kids are vulnerable due to their height and limited ability to defend themselves.
• Injuries may include facial wounds, scarring, and emotional trauma requiring therapy.

Medical Negligence

Errors in medical care can change a child’s health and development.

• At hospitals such as Rady Children’s and Sharp Mary Birch, cases may involve misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, or wrong medication doses.
• Many children need extended recovery and long-term monitoring after medical errors.

Defective or Unsafe Products

Products made for children should meet strict safety standards.

• Faulty cribs, furniture, toys, and car seats have all caused preventable injuries.
• Families can hold manufacturers accountable when defects or poor testing lead to harm.

What Parents Can Do

When a child is hurt and something feels wrong, trust that instinct. Take photos of the scene and any visible injuries. Record names, dates, and what witnesses said. Keep copies of medical records, incident reports, and any communication with schools, facilities, or insurance companies. These details can help establish how an injury occurred and whether negligence played a role.

Safety failures should never go unanswered. California provides protections that hold negligent parties accountable and help San Diego families access the care and resources their children need.

How the Law Protects Injured Children in San Diego

State law includes safeguards to ensure that when a child in San Diego is injured through negligence, any recovery directly supports their wellbeing. These rules help families secure the care and resources their child will need.

• Court review for settlements. When a case involves a minor, a San Diego judge must review and approve the settlement before it becomes final. This process ensures that the funds are properly used for the child’s benefit, such as medical care, therapy, or educational needs.
• Additional time to file a claim. Families in San Diego have more time to bring a claim on behalf of an injured child than adults do. The extended timeframe helps parents see how an injury progresses and what level of treatment or support will be required as their child grows.

While these legal protections are important, they address only one part of what families experience after their child is injured.

Understanding the Full Cost of Child Injuries

After a serious injury, families must balance care, finances, and emotional recovery all at once. Medical bills are only part of what they face. The full impact reaches into schooling, daily routines, and the support a child will need over time.

• Immediate medical care. Emergency treatment, surgeries, and follow-up appointments begin right away. Parents may need to take time off work or travel for specialized care, which adds financial strain during an already stressful period.
• Ongoing treatment and therapy. Rehabilitation can continue for months or years. Some children need adaptive equipment, home care, or specialized therapy as they grow. Ensuring these costs are fully covered is a key part of the recovery process.
• Educational support. An injury can change how a child learns or interacts in class. Families may need tutoring, special education services, or modified learning environments to help their child stay on track academically.
• Home and family adjustments. Caring for an injured child can affect every part of family life. Parents may need to modify their homes for accessibility, arrange new transportation, or adjust work schedules to provide care.
• Emotional and psychological impact. Children who have experienced trauma may face anxiety, fear, or changes in behavior. Counseling and peer support programs in San Diego can help them heal, but these services add to long-term costs.

When families understand the full impact of an injury, they can make choices that protect their child’s recovery and future wellbeing.

Child injuries affect families for years, sometimes a lifetime. Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire fights for compensation that addresses the full scope of what injured children will need, not just today, but throughout their lives.

Call (619) 236-9363 to discuss your child's case with a San Diego child injury law firm who understands these long-term needs.

Results That Reflect Our Commitment to San Diego Children

Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire holds negligent parties accountable when their failures harm San Diego children. Our firm secured $1.55 million for a young child who lost a foot after being run over by a tractor-trailer. The case required extensive investigation, collaboration with medical experts, and determination to pursue complete accountability.

We obtained an $8 million result for a child who was assaulted by another student while left unsupervised in an Escondido classroom. This settlement provides the care, therapy, and support he needs throughout his life.

Results like these address the actual costs families face—surgeries as children grow, years of therapy, educational accommodations, and the adaptive equipment needed for independence. Our work ensures injured children receive the resources that meet the lifetime needs those injuries create.

Why Families Choose Our Firm for Child Injury Cases

When evaluating attorneys for your child's case, certain factors separate experienced child injury counsel from general practice lawyers. San Diego families should consider the attorney's track record with child injury cases, their understanding of lifetime care costs, and their results.

Important questions to ask during your consultation:

• What is your background handling serious injury cases involving children in San Diego County courts?
• How does your firm ensure settlements cover my child's long-term medical and developmental needs?
• What steps do you take to protect a child's privacy and emotional well-being during the legal process?
• Can you provide examples of results you've achieved for injured children in similar situations?

Why Experience Matters

California laws for minors differ substantially from adult injury laws. Settlements must account for years of future care, and all agreements require court approval to protect the child's interests. Insurance companies take cases more seriously when the attorney has trial experience and a history of winning significant verdicts.

Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire was among the first San Diego contingency fee firms and has recovered over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients across nearly five decades of practice.

Research from Martindale-Nolo confirms that over 90% of people who hired attorneys received settlements or awards, compared to about 50% who handled claims independently. In child injury cases, where medical and care needs can span a lifetime, experienced legal representation provides families with financial security and peace of mind.

What to Expect During Your Child’s Case

When parents decide to take legal action, they deserve to know what the process will look like. At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we explain what to expect at each stage.

Initial Investigation

The process begins with understanding how the injury happened and what your child needs going forward. Our attorneys gather medical records, incident reports, photographs, and witness statements to build a complete picture of the injury and what recovery will require. We also consult with medical specialists to assess long-term care needs.

Filing and Notification

After the investigation is complete, we file the claim and take care of all required notices, including those that apply to schools, government agencies, or other parties. We'll also oversee communication with opposing parties, scheduling, and deadlines to keep the process as straightforward as possible.

Your Role as a Parent

You'll stay involved throughout the case by sharing information, asking questions, and making decisions with support from our team. We provide regular updates as the case develops. Your child is shielded from the process whenever possible to protect their wellbeing and sense of safety.

Resolution

Many cases are resolved through settlement negotiations that cover the full scope of a child's needs. If a fair agreement cannot be reached, our attorneys are prepared to take the case to trial and continue advocating for your family.

Did You Know? When opposing parties know your attorney has trial experience and a track record of courtroom success, they're more motivated to reach fair settlements. This is why most child injury cases in San Diego County resolve without going to trial.

Helping Injured Children Beyond Our Clients

Representing injured children in San Diego has shown us that not every family can pursue legal action, even when their child desperately needs support. Some injuries don't meet legal thresholds for negligence. Other families lack the resources to access specialized care their insurance won't cover. Still others need help that no courtroom can provide.

Our firm supports organizations that fill these gaps for San Diego's most vulnerable children. Through our work with the Children at Risk Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association, we help advocate for policy changes that protect all children. 

Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County provides mentorship to children facing adversity. And our support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation brings hope to children battling serious medical conditions.

Vince Bartolotta Named 2025 Nice Guy of the Year

This year, our founding partner Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr. was named San Diego's 2025 Nice Guy of the Year by the San Diego Nice Guys, a nonprofit that has provided over $20 million in direct assistance to San Diego families since 1979.

The recognition reflects the same values that guide our child injury practice: every child deserves compassionate advocacy, whether in a courtroom or in the community. As Vince explains:

"There's really no secret about what I do…I really do care for my clients; each case gets the same kind of attention my family would get."

This approach shapes both how we represent injured children and how we serve San Diego's broader community of vulnerable families.

Speak With a Child Injury Lawyer in San Diego

When your child has been seriously injured due to someone else's negligence, you need to understand what happened, know your legal options, and find advocates who will fight for the resources your child needs.

Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire provides free, confidential consultations to San Diego families. We'll address your questions and explain what to expect during the legal process.

Contact us at (619) 236-9363 to schedule your consultation with a San Diego child injury attorney. You don't have to go through this alone.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents