Many assume that parents are “automatically” liable for damages caused by their children. Washington personal injury law is not so simple.
Children under six cannot be negligent.[1]
Children ages six to sixteen are held to a standard of care of a reasonably careful child of the same age, intelligence, maturity, training, and experience.[2]
Children ages sixteen to eighteen are generally treated as adults and held to same standard of care.[3]
This is not a substitute for legal advice. Other factors may change the analysis. Other parties may have proximately caused some or all of the injuries, for example.
For advice about your circumstances seek a consultation with an injury attorney.
[1] Bauman v. Crawford, 104 Wn.2d 241, 244, 704 P.2d 1181(1985); Price v. Kitsap County Transit, 125 Wn.2d 456, 886 P.2d 556 (1994); RCW 4.22.015-4.22.070.
[2] Bauman at 244.
[3] Bauman.