When the injured person is a child, almost every assumption an adult would make about an injury claim is wrong. The deadline is different, the settlement cannot be finalized the ordinary way, and the damages that matter most may not be visible for years. The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick handles injury claims involving young people in Grayslake and across Lake County.
The Clock a Child’s Claim Runs On
A person who was under 18 when the cause of action accrued may bring the action within two years after turning 18, under 735 ILCS 5/13-211. A seven year old injured today therefore has until age 20. That is a real protection and also a trap.
A claim against a local public entity, including a school district or a park district, does not enjoy the same latitude and must be treated as urgent. Waiting is rarely wise even where it is permitted, since the evidence a claim depends on does not wait with it.
Settling a Claim for a Child
A minor cannot release a claim, so a settlement on a child’s behalf is not final until a court approves it. The approval process exists to protect the child from an adult’s decision, including a well meant one, and it governs how the money is held afterward. Parents are often surprised the funds are not simply handed over. Knowing this at the outset changes how an offer is evaluated, since a number that looks acceptable now has to survive review by a judge whose only concern is the child. See what the firm handles.
Young Drivers on Grayslake Roads
Grayslake carries a steady volume of newly licensed drivers, with the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center drawing traffic into the village and Illinois Route 83 and Illinois Route 120 crossing near the center. Washington Street and Atkinson Road handle much of the local movement between them. Inexperience shows up in the crash pattern as misjudged left turns and late braking at signalized intersections rather than as reckless speed, and that distinction matters when an insurer characterizes a teenage driver’s conduct. The auto accident claims the firm handles involving young drivers frequently turn on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a personal injury lawyer in Grayslake, IL for my child’s injury?
A claim for a minor involves a court approval step and a different filing deadline, so advice early is worthwhile even for a modest claim.
Can I settle my child’s claim myself?
A minor cannot release a claim, and a settlement on a child’s behalf requires court approval before it is final.
How The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick Handles Injury Claims in Grayslake
The firm evaluates a child’s claim against the care that may still be needed rather than against the bills already received, and it prepares the approval petition as part of the case rather than as an afterthought. The Law Offices of Michael W. Kopsick publishes the results the firm has obtained.
The extended deadline for a child is a protection, not a reason to wait. Witnesses move, vehicles are repaired, and the child’s own account of what happened becomes less reliable with every year that passes. A conversation costs nothing. You can contact the firm to have the situation reviewed.
Last reviewed: September 2026
This page was reviewed by Michael W. Kopsick, licensed in Illinois since 2014.
Content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Illinois attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
