I'm feeling AWFUL...is there something else I should be doing??

[Maliki2]

Hmmm...not sure I agree with offering to help with medical bills. I'm concerned about the legalities of it....like if you admit fault and then something goes wrong down the road....I'd just be nervous, but maybe I'm paranoid! If you think parents don't have insurance, or if you think they need help and you are willing/able to help, maybe mention it just one time, but still, I'm not sure that I'd do it. It seems like you'd be opening a big can of worms. It's a sticky situation.

Again, I am glad that everything worked out!

Wont matter if the family of the injured girl decides to sue, the defendent will end up paying. Wont matter if they admit fault or not, the son did it, thats fault enough. If it was me and they ARENT covered I'd try to offer to pay 50% of the medical costs. I'm no lawyer but I have seen this alot, as I go to court often for my job. I'd at least offer, but thats just me

 

[NemoMOm]

Wont matter if the family of the injured girl decides to sue, the defendent will end up paying. Wont matter if they admit fault or not, the son did it, thats fault enough. If it was me and they ARENT covered I'd try to offer to pay 50% of the medical costs. I'm no lawyer but I have seen this alot, as I go to court often for my job. I'd at least offer, but thats just me

It is a possibility that the op could be covered under her ins policy. However, if she makes any payments the ins co. will not get involved. For ex. (this has happened in my office) if you have a trapplene(sp) and your child's friend gets hurt and you pay for her bills even a percentage and then the parent's decide to sue your ins. co. will not get involved. However, if you put a claim in before you pay and don't pay (you have a claim in) then your policy will kick in.

That is why I wrote to be careful. It is so sad that this happens. But sounds as though the op has nothing to worry about. She's got good peeps as neighbors!

 

[ENSOCK]

I wish that you were my neighbor. My neighbor's son got mad at my DS and picked up a shovel, he cut open by son's face. They superglued it at the hospital so no stitches. The mother jsut said "Well he hit him first.: WTH?? Needless to say 5 years later and I still watch them like a hawk. They never offered any money or said that they are sorry, but because they are kin gotta still see them every day.

 

[joyerbides]

Well, the plain and simple fact is that her child threw the rock and hit the other child, making them liable for the damages incurred. While the parents may have health insurance that will cover the child's surgery, the insurance will initiate an investigation once the ER claim is filed. The ER claim will show an accidental injury. The insurance company will send an accidental injury report form to the parents of the girl. If they fill it out honestly, they will list this lady's child as the one to throw the rock and you guys will be getting a bill from their insurance company. Talk to your lawyer and your insurance agent soon.

I have a similar story, but we were never contacted by any insurance agency or sent a bill. We have a trampoline in our back yard and my DS and his friend were jumping on it. DS's friend ended up breaking his arm. His mother wasn't home at the time (his 17 year old sister was babysitting), so I called 911. I finally got ahold of his mother (she was at school), and she met him at the hospital. He ended up having to have surgery. Luckily, he was fine-in time. She was very gracious about it as well, but I was scared that she was going to sue me. Prior to this, I had spoken to the parents of the kids who come over, making sure that they knew their kids were on the trampoline. No one had a problem with it. However, I am ultimately responsible for any injuries. Luckily, like I said earlier, I was not contacted by any insurance agencies. Her insurance covered everything. I never asked her what she told them. If she did tell them the truth, I would have gladly helped with any expenses. I do have home owners insurance. Needless to say, we took the trampoline down the next day and this year, only my kids are allowed on it.

 

[CharmedLife]

Do you know what I REALLY feel sad about when I read some of these responses? Everything we do these days we have to worry about being sued.

ITA. What a sad state of our society today. And we wonder why the cost of health care, insurance, etc. is going through the roof. You can't even offer to pay for your friends bills after an accident because it might give them leverage to sue you later on... sheesh, sometimes accidents happen! Especially with kids, it's just part of growing up. I'd better keep my kids locked inside from now on!

 

[Julia M]

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