Social Media Harm Claims | Florida Families
Your Child Was Hurt. Here Is What Happens After You Reach Out.
A plain-language guide for Florida parents who are weighing whether a lawsuit may be an option after serious mental-health harm to a child or teen. Our first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to continue.
By CHG Lawyers · Published November 2, 2026
What Happens After I Contact a Social Media Addiction Lawyer
If you are asking what happens after I contact a social media addiction lawyer, the first step is a free, confidential consultation. You have no obligation to continue after that call. The lawyer listens, asks about your child’s situation, and explains what comes next. This guide walks you through each stage so you know what to expect.
If your child's struggles may be tied to social media use, you don't have to work out the next step alone. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
Where You Are Right Now
You are likely watching your child or teen struggle, and you are looking for answers. Many parents search for this topic late at night, worried and tired, and not ready to hire anyone.
Maybe your child has become depressed, anxious, or withdrawn. Maybe there is an eating disorder, self-harm, or talk of suicide. These are hard things to face.
If your child may be in crisis right now, call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) today. Don’t wait for a lawyer, a record, or a plan. Help is available now.
This guide is educational. It doesn’t take the place of your child’s doctors, counselors, or school support team. Keep following their care.
Take it one step at a time. You can read more, call a lawyer for a free talk, or wait. Each choice is yours, and you can change your mind.
What Social Media Addiction Lawsuits Allege
A social media addiction lawsuit is a claim brought by a family. It says a platform’s design contributed to serious mental-health harm in a young person.
These claims point to harms such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide attempts. These are allegations, not findings of fact.
The federal plaintiffs allege that platforms were designed to encourage addictive behavior in adolescents. They also allege the platforms failed to warn about harm to minors. The JPML transfer order describes these as allegations.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has said that heavy social-media use has been observed to be associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and other problems. Its HHS Surgeon General report covers this. The CDC youth mental health resources describe how common poor mental health is among U.S. adolescents.
The case is In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Litigation, MDL No. 3047. The court’s case page lists the parties and allegations.
These cases may be referred to, or handled together with, another law firm.
A lawyer’s first job is to learn whether your child’s situation fits what these lawsuits allege. That depends on the facts.
Step 1: What Happens After I Contact a Social Media Addiction Lawyer
The first step is a free, confidential consultation with no obligation to continue.
If you wonder what happens after I contact a social media addiction lawyer, the first call is mostly listening. The lawyer wants to understand your child’s story. Expect questions like these:
- How old is your child?
- Which platforms does your child use, and how much?
- When did you first notice changes?
- What treatment has your child had so far?
- Where does your family live in Florida?
You don’t need every record or a finished timeline. Bring what you have. A rough list of dates helps.
Ask your own questions. If a referral is involved, ask how another law firm would work with this firm. Take notes so you can review them later.
When you’re ready, contact our team to start a free case evaluation.
Step 2: Gathering Records and the Early Review
Families gather records so the lawyer can see a clear timeline. That timeline shows how your child’s use and symptoms changed.
Useful records often include:
- Medical and counseling notes
- School reports, attendance records, and teacher emails
- Screen-time observations
- Messages or posts, where they are relevant
- A dated log of changes in mood, sleep, eating, and friendships
Dates matter. Write down what you saw, when you saw it, and who else was there. A simple log can help show when use and symptoms changed.
Ask your lawyer before you delete any accounts or posts. Deleting them can make the record harder to rebuild.
The lawyer reviews what you have and tells you what else would help. The review can’t promise how things will turn out. It does give you a clearer picture of your options.
Keep following your child’s treatment plan while you gather records.
Step 3: Deciding Whether to File and How a Case Moves Forward
After the review, you and your lawyer decide together whether a lawsuit fits your child’s facts.
Deadlines apply, so don’t wait. Contact a lawyer promptly so your family’s options are reviewed in time.
Florida also uses modified comparative fault, which means shared fault reduces damages, but a party found more than 50 percent at fault for his or her own harm may not recover any damages (this bar does not apply to medical negligence claims under chapter 766). Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81, in a negligence action, contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as economic and noneconomic damages for an injury attributable to the claimant’s contributory fault, but does not bar recovery, subject to the statute’s limits.
A typical case moves through these stages:
- Filing a complaint. This is the formal paper that starts a lawsuit.
- The defendant’s response. The companies answer the claims.
- Discovery. Both sides exchange information and records.
- Possible resolution. The case may end in a settlement or go to trial.
Court timelines can run long. Your lawyer keeps you informed at each stage. Your role includes following your child’s treatment plan and keeping records current.
Not sure what your next step is?
Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
What It Costs to Talk With Us
CHG charges no attorney’s fees and no case costs unless there is a recovery.
You don’t owe fees or case costs if the case is not successful. The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.
Ask about these terms during your first call. You should understand them before you decide anything.
Common Questions Parents Ask
Most parents want to know what a lawyer can do and whether a lawsuit is realistic. Here are plain answers to common questions.
Is there rehab for social media addiction?
Treatment decisions belong to your child’s doctors and counselors. Follow their plan. Documented treatment costs may be part of what a family describes in a claim.
What does a social media lawyer do?
A lawyer reviews the facts and organizes records. The lawyer explains deadlines and options under Florida law and handles the legal process for your family.
How do families sue social media companies for addiction?
A family files a claim through a lawyer. The claim names the companies the facts support. The process depends on each family’s situation.
Is social media addiction compensation real?
Compensation is sought through lawsuits and settlements. No outcome or amount can be promised for any family, so your lawyer reviews your facts before advising on options.
Do I need to decide right away?
You don’t have to decide today. Deadlines still apply, so contact a lawyer promptly to learn your options.
This page is the responsibility of Igor Hernandez, a lawyer with CHG Personal Injury Lawyers. The firm is based in Florida and serves communities including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
If your child’s struggles may be tied to social media use, you don’t have to work out the next step alone. Our team can talk it through with you in a free, confidential consultation.
The Four Steps After You Contact Our Firm
1. A Free, Confidential First Consultation
You tell us what you have noticed and what your family has been through. There is no obligation to continue after the consultation, and you decide what happens next.
2. We Gather and Organize the Facts
With your permission, we review medical and counseling records, school information, and your child's account history on the platforms involved. Our team keeps these records organized so the story is clear.
3. We Explain Your Options Under Florida Law
Our attorneys explain how these claims work, what the lawsuits allege, and which deadlines may apply. Deadlines apply, so contact us promptly to protect your options.
4. We Keep You Informed and Coordinated
We keep you updated at every stage and explain each decision in plain language. Where a case may be handled together with another law firm, we will tell you so up front.
If Your Child Is in Crisis, Get Help Now
If your child is in crisis, talks about self-harm, or may be thinking about suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) right away. Follow the care plan set by your child's doctors and counselors. A legal consultation is not a substitute for medical care.
What Families Can Expect From Our Firm
Compassion First
We understand that a claim begins with a family's pain. We listen before we talk about strategy, and we move at a pace that respects your child's recovery.
Plain-Language Guidance
We explain legal terms, the allegations in these lawsuits, and what they do and do not mean for your family, without jargon.
Organized Records
We help you gather and protect the medical, school, and account information that matters, so you are not left to sort through it alone.
Florida-Based Attorneys
Our licensed attorneys are admitted to The Florida Bar and serve families throughout Florida. Igor Hernandez is the responsible attorney for this page.
Take the First Step. Your Free Consultation Is Confidential.
Related practice areas
- Social Media Addiction Lawsuits in Florida: A Guide for Parents
- Million Dollar Lost Wages Ruling: Florida Injury Guide