In Texas, cases where minors are injured are treated differently.

For an adult’s claim, the adult simply agrees to the settlement and signs the settlement agreement. But minors can't sign contracts.

Resolving the personal injury claims of a minor

Many of our clients are minors who have been injured. And those cases (at least in Texas) are treated a little bit differently.

The first difference is how the case is settled. For an adult’s claim, the adult simply agrees to the settlement and signs the settlement agreement. The lawsuit, if any, is then dismissed.

The guardian ad litem and friendly suit process

Minors can’t sign contracts. To remedy that, the Courts have long used the guardian ad litem and friendly suit process. In some cases, lawsuits are already on file, but if not, the parties would file a “friendly suit,” a lawsuit between the parties to get in front of the judge.

At that point, the judge appoints a guardian ad litem, who is a lawyer tasked solely with looking out for the interests of the minor. The guardian ad litem would do some initial investigation, which includes reviewing the facts of the incident, reviewing medical records or other documents relating to the minor’s injuries, and talking to the minor’s parents to get a feel for the minor’s condition.

The parties would then have a “prove-up” hearing. At the hearing, the minor’s parent or guardian tells the judge about the incident, the harm to the minor, and the minor’s prognosis. The guardian ad litem then reports to the judge on whether the the guardian ad litem approves or disapproves of the settlement. The judge then makes a decision to approve or disapprove of the proposed settlement.

PERSONAL INJURY INFO CENTER

Steps for settling an injury case on behalf of a minor

In lieu of a settlement, the parties file a friendly suit to get in front of a judge.
The judge appoints a guardian ad litem to speak for the minor. The guardian ad litem reviews the facts of the case.
At a prove-up hearing, the guardian reports to the judge whether they approve or disapprove of the settlement.
Judge determines whether to approve the settlement.

Testimonials

Brooks was wonderful to work with. I felt he gave honest and realistic advice, and always let me make my own decisions with as much information as he could provide. I highly recommend him and I'll be referring any friends to him that need his services!

- Miriam Keaton (a personal injury client)

What if there is not a hearing?

Because this is a long (and sometimes expensive) process, insurance companies sometimes try to circumvent it. Instead of going through the hearing, they will ask for a settlement that includes the parents’ indemnification for future claims.

What does that mean? Without the prove-up process, the minor maintains the right to sue because minors can’t enter into contracts. In order to protect themselves, insurance companies ask the minor’s parents to sign an agreement saying that the parents are settling the case and that, in exchange for settling the case, the parents agree that if the minor comes back at a later time and sues the defendant or the insurance company, then the parents will reimburse the insurance company and the defendant for attorneys’ fees, costs of court and for any amounts the companies had to pay. Thus, the case is over, but the parents are taking the risk that the child later chooses to sue.

How is the money dispersed?

The other way personal injury cases for minors are different is determining where the money goes. In a typical case with an adult, we’ll get settlement proceeds and simply write a check to the adult. That doesn’t happen in cases with minors.

If the minor’s personal injury case goes through the lawsuit/prove-up process, the money can be deposited in the registry of the court, and the minor can’t withdraw it until the minor turns 18. Alternatively, the money can be used to purchase a structured settlement — an annuity that pays the minor in periodic payments after the minor’s 18th birthday. If economically feasible, most clients prefer a structured settlement. The return on the investment is usually a little higher, but more importantly, some parents just don’t think it’s a good idea to give a child a reasonable chunk of money on their 18th birthday.

If the insurance company settles outside the lawsuit/prove-up process, then the lawyer needs to make clear to the parents that the money belongs to the minor and should be kept in an a separtae account for the minor.

Dispersing a settlement to a minor

If the case goes through the prove-up process, money can be deposited in the registry of the court, where it is held until the minor is 18.
The money can be used to purchase a structured settlement that will disburse periodic payments of a set amount after the minor's 18th birthday.