Insurance Issues: When Your Child Is Injured At A Friend's House

You don't want to shelter your children, but you also need to be aware of their safety when they are visiting a friend's house. If an injury does occur, who is responsible and who will pay the medical bills? The answer isn't always clear cut, but the following guide can help you better understand your options.

Collect As Much Information As Possible

This includes the how, when, and why of the accident that lead to the injury. You will want to make sure that you get the story from your child, the homeowner, and any witnesses. If the injury was due to homeowner neglect — such as tripping over an exposed extension cord or falling through a rotten step — chances are their insurance will be responsible. It's important to find out and record this information ASAP, before anyone has a chance to forget details or change their story.

Know the Insurance Options

Generally, one of two types of insurance coverage will cover your child's medical care — either your medical insurance policy or the homeowner's home insurance policy. In some cases, your medical insurance may only pay part of the care bills, or you may still be left with expensive deductibles or co-pays. If the issue is classified as dental, such as a knocked out tooth, your medical insurance may not cover it at all. This means you must turn to the homeowner's insurance company to cover the difference.

Lack of Insurance

If they do not have a home insurance policy, there is little you can do to recoup costs beyond a personal injury lawsuit against the homeowner. Pursuing this can strain relationships between you, and your child may lose a friend, so you will have to weigh your alternatives before pursuing this route. For example, it may not be worth it if the medical bills are manageable and the homeowner's do not have the resources to pay up.

When to Seek Help

It's a good idea to secure the services of a personal injury attorney from the outset. This is especially true if the homeowner refuses to cooperate or provide information on their insurance company. Even if the homeowner is helpful and immediately provides their insurance information, you will still have to deal with the insurance company to get the medical payments you deserve. Insurance companies are notorious for attempting to pay less than what you need or deserve to cover your child's bills. In this case, an accident lawyer will be suing the insurance company, not the parents of your child's friend, so there should be little impact on personal relationships.

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