A child has their own claim
When a child is hurt in a motor accident, they have their own CTP claim — separate from yours, in their own right, against the at-fault driver's insurer. As a passenger, a child plainly isn't responsible for how the vehicle was being driven, which usually puts their claim in a strong position. As their parent or guardian, you run that claim on their behalf. See passenger claim NSW.
Children get extra protection
The NSW scheme treats children differently from adults in two important ways, both designed to look after them:
Time limits are softened
The strict deadlines that apply to adults — including the kind of pressure the 28-day window creates — are eased for minors. A child's right to claim has more protection over time, recognising that a child can't be expected to act on their own behalf. That said, acting early is still much better: treatment funding, evidence and the medical record all benefit from a prompt claim rather than leaning on the extended protection. See the 28-day rule for the adult position by contrast.
Any compensation is safeguarded
A settlement for a child isn't simply paid out and spent. It's typically protected and managedon the child's behalf until they reach adulthood, often with court or trustee oversight. The system is built so the money is preserved and there for them when they grow up.
Why a child's claim often isn't rushed
With children there's a special reason not to rush to settlement: an injury can affect growth and development in ways that only become clear over years. A break near a growth plate, a head injury, a serious psychological effect — the full impact can take a long time to show.
The extended time-limit protections for minors give room to wait until that long-term picture is properly understood. Settling a child's claim too early risks locking in an amount before the real future impact is known. We don't do that — we let the picture mature first. See the damages claim explained.
The injuries children can suffer in a crash
Children aren't small adults, and their injuries can differ. A correctly fitted child restraint or booster does an enormous amount, but in a serious crash injuries still happen, and some carry particular long-term significance for a growing body:
- Head injuries and concussion — which in children need careful follow-up. See concussion after a car accident.
- Fractures near growth plates — which can affect how a limb develops over years, not just weeks.
- Soft-tissue and seatbelt injuries from the restraint doing its job.
Your treating doctors lead entirely on the medical side. What we make sure of is that the claim captures not just the injury today but its possible bearing on your child's development down the track.
The emotional impact is part of it
Children can be deeply shaken by a crash — nightmares, clinginess, anxiety, a sudden fear of cars. A psychological injury caused by the accident is a real injury in the claim, where a treating clinician diagnoses it and ties it to the crash, with treatment funded like any other. Don't dismiss the emotional side as "they'll get over it." See psychological injury after a car accident.
What to do as the parent
- Get your child medical care and follow it up — same as you would instinctively.
- Document everything — symptoms, behaviour changes, what the doctors say.
- Keep the crash details — the other driver's rego, the location, any witnesses.
- Make the call early. Even with the extended protections, an early claim is a stronger claim.
What we do for you
One call. We run your child's claim with the care it deserves — setting up treatment funding, documenting the injury properly, and taking on the additional steps that protect a child's interests, including how any settlement is safeguarded. We don't rush it, and we don't take a contingency cut from your child's damages.
Take the short check at /check, or call (02) 7238 7379 and a real person picks up.