A settlement of a child’s disputed personal injury claim generally requires court approval in California, including when the claim is resolved before a lawsuit is filed. The approval process is often called a minor’s compromise. A parent’s agreement with an insurer does not replace that review. The petition must disclose information relevant to whether the settlement is reasonable, including the injury, treatment, proposed payment, fees and expenses. The court also considers how the child’s share will be protected.

Keep the proposed agreement, medical records, bills and details of any reimbursement claims together. Ask the lawyer handling the claim which petition is needed, whether a hearing is required and how the money may be held or used under the court’s order. Do not assume the funds can simply be paid into a parent’s everyday account. Approval is a separate issue from the deadline for bringing the injury claim: a child’s age does not remove the need to check every applicable deadline promptly.