Child Abuse - Child Neglect

Child neglect is a serious form of child abuse.  Though an individual may not intend to be neglectful toward a child, simple actions or inaction may be considered forms of neglect.  Since child neglect can have serious emotional and physical effects on a child, it is important to know what constitutes neglect.

Usually, neglect takes one of four forms.  These forms of neglect are:

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  Emotional neglect, such as the failure to attend to a child in emotional distress or permissive attitudes toward juvenile drug and alcohol use


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  Educational neglect by failure to enroll a child in an appropriate school or to provide suitable in-home education


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  Physical neglect involving the denial of adequate food, shelter, or attention that is essential to a child's health


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  Medical neglect, such as the failure to seek medical treatment when a child is injured or ill

Any form of neglect may be performed by a parent, relative, or caregiver.  Often, prolonged neglect can have grave mental and physical consequences for a child, so parents or legal guardians of children that have suffered neglect at the hands of another party may be entitled to financial compensation for their children's suffering.

Before pursuing legal action, parents and legal guardians are advised to seek experienced legal counsel to help them file their lawsuits and fight their cases.  Should the accused party choose to settle out of court, an experienced lawyer can also help with those negotiations. In cases where custodial situations need to be changed, an agreement may need to be set forth by the parents or legal guardians to make sure that the child is taken care of. 

Child neglect is a serious problem that should not go unpunished. If your child suffered long term effects after being neglected by a caretaker, relative, or ex-spouse, discuss your case with the Chicago personal injury attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C., to learn more about your legal rights and options.