What the insurance company does not want you to know is this: the worst-case mistake is waiting. If you go home, hope the pain eases, and let the school "handle it," the broken equipment gets moved, witnesses scatter, camera footage gets erased, and a child's claim gets harder to prove even if the injury turns out to be serious.

Get medical care now, especially for hip, pelvis, back, or leg pain after a fall. A child with a fracture can look "okay" at first and still need imaging fast. Ask for the records before you leave.

Then lock down the facts today:

• Ask the Pearl City school for a written incident report
• Photograph the obstacle, surface, ropes, mats, and any warning signs
• Get names of teachers, staff, and parents who saw it
• Save the child's shoes and clothing
• Write down the exact time, place, and what the staff told you

If this happened at a public school, the claim is usually against the State of Hawaii through the Department of Education. If it was a private school or daycare, the claim goes against that business or organization. Either way, a parent or legal guardian usually handles the claim for the child.

Here is where it often gets better than the worst case: Hawaii gives injured minors extra protection, and the clock can be different for a child than for an adult. But do not rely on that pause. Adult claims tied to the same incident, medical bills, and evidence problems do not wait. Hawaii's general injury deadline is often 2 years, and school records or security footage may be gone much sooner.

If an insurer offers money fast, be careful. A child's settlement in Hawaii often requires court approval before it is final, especially if the payout is more than a small amount. That is meant to protect the child's money from being signed away too cheaply during a cash crunch around tax season or medical debt pressure.