Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Child athletes sustain concussions more frequently than the average parent or coach would imagine. For example, take the recent situation of 11-year-old Rachel Ernst. Rachel was playing in a soccer game when Rachel and an opponent jumped for the ball, missing the ball and hitting each others skulls instead. After a trip to the emergency room, Rachel was diagnosed with a mild concussion. She is now one of a dozen youth athletes that are participating in a local study aimed to reveal the consequences of concussions in teens and children.

A main goal of the local research is to make youth sports safer for young athletes, as well as provide doctors, parents and coaches on whether it is safe to bring the injured child back into play. Recently, concussions have become a hot topic. A study reported in the August edition of Pediatrics revealed that although the number of children participating in team sports had declined, the number of children between the ages of 8-13 who were treated for concussions while playing team sports doubled from 1997 to 2007. For older children, the number of reported concussions more than doubled.

Because of the increased awareness about the dangers of concussions coaches and athletic trainers are becoming more educated on spotting the warning signs that a youth player has sustained a concussion. Also, many teams are starting to require that a child athlete sit out for a week or two after sustaining a concussion. If you would like to read more on this topic please see Dangers of concussions to youth athletes.

The more educated parents and coaches become about the risks involved after a young athlete sustained a concussion the safer sports will be for youth athletes. If not diagnosed or treated early enough the consequences could be severe - sometimes permanent brain damage could occur. Therefore, education and awareness is key to prevention. If you would like to read more information on concussions and youth athletes please see Parents Lack Important Knowledge and Experience Regarding Dangers of Concussions to Children.

By Thomas Hastings, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame is the epicenter of the town with deep roots in football. While football is often a time for celebration, tradition, and fun, there was a recent story that brought news of tragedy. Declan Sullivan was filming Notre Dame football practice from a video tower. For some reason, the tower collapsed and caused serious personal injuries which, in turn, ended the life of this 20 year old student from Long Grove, Illinois.

Declan Sullivan was on a hydraullic scissor lift. The make and model of the lift was not reported. There is a good article on safety and scissors lift located at Scissor Lift Safety. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) considers scissor lifts to be mobile scaffolds and regulates the use accordingly.

It was reported that there were winds of 51 miles per hour at the time of the incident. It would interesting to know the manufacturer specifications and warnings for the product as well as the weather forecasts that were available prior to the incident. Investigations may also reveal policies and procedures for the operation and use of the scissor lift.

Wins and loses are important in College Football. However, this story is not about competition or the great football program. This story is about a life lost. Was the incident avoidable? Was the equipment properly utilized and set up? Was weather a factor in the incident? These and other questions should be addressed through the investigation. You can read more about this story at Notre Dame Student Dies in Video Tower Collapse.

By Mark Freedman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A 3-year-old child was injured in Montcalm County, Michigan after falling in the child's family barn. According to officers, the child was playing inside the barn when he feel 8 to 10 feet onto a cement floor. According to police, the 3-year-old sustained a serious head injury. The young boy was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is listed in serious condition. Deputies have ruled this incident an accident. If you would like to read more on this story please see 3-year-old falls from family barn sustains serious head injury.

Young children like 3 year olds often times do not appreciate or recognize the dangers of heights. As such, young children are at risk for injury when playing on or standing on an elevated area. When children are on elevated areas, it is important to have railings and other safety equipment for the protection of children. Supervision is also key to preventing tragic child injuries. Of course, it is difficult to prevent all injuries from occurring. However, simple safety measures and supervision can help avoid many unfortunate incidents from taking place.

While a child's fall from a hayloft may not be that common, injuries sustained in playgrounds In Michigan and other States are quite common. The same principles of safety measures, safety equipment, and supervision apply to playgrounds. Typically, playgrounds typically have a number of elevated platforms. For young children, the elevated platforms can be quite fun but also quite dangerous. Make sure that the playground is age appropriate for your child and designed in a way that provides for the safety of your child. Always maintain good supervision when your child is in a playground area. Maintaining supervision over a child while he or she is playing will decrease the likelihood that he or she will fall and sustain personal injuries because you, as a supervisor, will be able to quickly spot when the child has climbed too high, is running too fast, or is otherwise engaging in risky behavior on play equipment. Another way to prevent children from sustaining person injuries is to check the play equipment for its condition and safety before allowing children to play on the equipment. If you would like to read more safety tips concerning playground hazards please read Playground Hazards - What Parents, Teachers, Day Care Providers and Others Can Do to Help Prevent Child Personal Injuries on Playgrounds?.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Halloween is just right around the corner. Although this holiday is a time for fun, it is also a time for injuries. Halloween means lots of children will be walking on streets and roads. Luckily, Halloween falls on a Sunday this year so there will not be a heavy afternoon commute, but there will still be cars on the roads. It is very important that children wear costumes that drivers will be able to see. Costumes should also not inhibit a child's sight.

Parents should put reflective tape on their child's costume or trick-or-treat back to ensure their child will be seen. Another good tool to use is a flashlight, use one flashlight per child. Also, make sure a costume fits your child; the costume should fit snuggly and be short enough so your child will not trip. Children should also wear their own shoes - falls are the number one reason children go to the emergency room on Halloween. Masks inhibit a child's sight, one way to avoid this issue is to replace masks with kid-friendly makeup - use a non-toxic Halloween makeup kit. Accessories to costumes also present safety hazards for children, especially swords. The most preferable types of accessories are those that are short, robbery and flexible. Parents should accompany their children, especially if the child is under 10-years-old. If you would like to read more on this topic please see >Safety tips for parents and children this Halloween.

The two main things parents should focus on this Halloween are make sure their child can see and be seen. Children will be walking along neighborhoods streets and busy roadways. Therefore, sight is an extremely important factor regarding your child's safety. Parents should ensure their child's costume are visible to cars and that their child's sight is not inhibited by masks or loose head ornaments.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

USA Today recently reported results from a survey on bullying. The media attention devoted to the issue of bullying has resulted, at least in part, from reports of teens committing suicide following incidents or time periods of bullying by peers. Many such instances involve the ridicule of a student for his or her sexual orientation. For instance, Justin Aaberg from Minnesota hanged himself in his bedroom. It was reported that Justin was the frequently bullied or ridiculed for his sexual orientation. It is a shame that children as well as adults engage in bullying activities that are only meant to tear someone down. The results as you can see can be deadly and can forever change the lives of family members left behind in the wake of the bullying acts. You can read the results from the bullying survey at USA Today Survey - Most Teens Admit to Hitting Someone in Anger and Other Statistics.

By Will Lewis, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Rock climbing and wall climbing are very popular activities for children. When participating in these activities, safety is a must. The wall should be securely anchored and all children should wear harnesses. In addition, adult supervision is key to keeping children safe. It is well known that children do not always appreciate the dangers of a particular activity. As such, adult supervision is necessary not only for instruction but also to make sure that children do not venture into areas or stunts that can lead to serious personal injuries.

In Lakeside, Montana, the Associated Press reported that a climbing wall collapsed at a church camp. The incident resulted in 8 children being treating at a local hospital. Injuries included fractured bones and bruising.

It was reported that the wall was 8 feet long. There were no details as to what safety measures were put in place at this climbing wall. While some incidents are completely unexpected and cannot be foreseen, many incidents involving injuries to children can be avoided with attention to detail as to the set up of the wall and as to the supervision of children on the wall or apparatus. You can read more about this story at Montana Church - Climbing Wall Collapse Leads to Injuries.

By Will Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Cleveland, Ohio and other cities through the nation, there is a problem (a real problem) with bullying. Some acts of bullying have resulted in deadly consequences. For instance, there have been reports of suicides of children and teens resulting from harsh acts of bullying. While the Internet with sites like Facebook and You Tube can be great tools, they can also be dangerous weapons when used to bully someone or ridicule someone to others online. Whether the messages are sent to one person or thousands, the act of bullying can and does have dire consequences. Cleveland Radio Station Z107.9, which is a hip hope and R&B radio station, recently hosted a show called the Bully-Free Air Zone. The show aired for 2 hours and focused on bullying and suicide. These are important topics that impacts thousands upon thousands of children. Z107.9 should be commended to taken an active stance on these issues and trying to make the community and schools safer for all children. You can read more about this story at Local Radio Station Creates Bully Free Air Zone.

By Roy S. Dickinson, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Oklahoma and other States, there are concerns about the lack of consistent and accurate date regarding playground incidents and accidents. Children are frequently injured on playgrounds at schools, day care centers, parks, community centers, and homes. Many experts believe that it would be helpful to have some kind of reporting system or data bank set up for the reporting of playground incidents resulting in personal injuries to children. By having such data in place, it could help designers and manufacturers make the playground equipment more safe for children. The information would also be helpful to teachers, day care providers, and child care providers who provide the day to day supervision of children on playgrounds. While not all injuries can be prevented on playgrounds, many such injuries can be prevented if we know why and how children are injured on playgrounds. You can read more about this topic at Oklahoma Playground Injury Oversight Sought

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

With summer gone and fall festivals quickly uproaching, parents should get informed on how to keep their children safe during the season. Since Halloween is right around the corner, below are some safety tips for parents and their children to keep from getting tricked on Halloween.

1. When selecting neighborhoods to go trick-or-treating in, look at all the safety factors in the entire are. Children are safer in populated, well-lit neighborhoods.

2. Parents should ALWAYS walk with their children; no exceptions.

3. Homeowners should have the walkways up to their homes well lit. Try to light up your home with battery-operated-light-producing devices as opposed to using fire candles. Having your home well lit will also prevent children from tripping or falling, which children are extremely prone to doing.

4. Parents should also accompany their children to each home. If a home looks suspicious, avoid it and move on to the next.

5. Being visible is key. Cars and other people need to see your child while walking along the road. Making your child's dark and scary costumes is one of the best ways to prevent personal injuries. Place reflective tap on your child's costume so the chances of him or her being seen by a driver are increased in low-light or no-light situations. Children could also carry flashlights and/or glowsticks to eluminate themselves. However, make sure these lights are nonblinding. Also, teach children not to shine flashlights directly into cars.

6. Adults should set a good example for their children and wear reflective devices as well.

7. After returning home, it is important to check ALL the contents your child has received. Discard any opened or tampered with items. If your child has received an item that was not commercially packaged and you do not know the source discard it. This process will also allow parents to check for candies containing food allergies. To read more on this story please see Keep your children safe during this Halloween.

Parents should follow these tips to ensure their children have a safe and trick-free Halloween.

By Will Lewis, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Elouise Wade-Meria Taylor, a 51-year-old woman and and Aiken County, South Carolina day care owner, has been charged with homicide by child abuse. Taylor is accused of shaking a 16-month-old toddler in her care so hard that the toddler sustained fatal head trauma. The alleged incident occurred on August 5, 2010. The child's identity has not been released. It was reported that a neighbor of Taylor, Shirnell Bryant, says Taylor has cared for children at her home day care center for years and has never witnessed anything out of the ordinary. Taylor will be entitled to a criminal defense attorney. If you would like to read more on this story please see South Carolina home day care owner charged with homicide after a 16-month-old toddler died under homeowner's care.

This toddler's death is a tragedy for the toddler's family and community. Day care owners have a duty to care for and protect the children under their care. Recently, state legislatures are making it more difficult for people to obtain the proper licensing to operate a day care center and requiring states to employ stricter screening procedures for day care centers and employees. Most states provide a list of all licensed day cares within the state and as well as any complaints against the center. Parents should thoroughly research day care centers before selecting a facility for their children to attend. To read more about selecting an appropriate day care facility for your child please read Important Factor in Selecting a Day Care Center - Instincts of Parents.

By John Jensen, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

An 8-year-old child was bit on the left ear and neck by a police dog after a North Carolina elementary school demonstration. The canine, Baks, was with his handler, Officer B. Hodgson, at Koontz Elementary School when the incident happened. Children were allowed to pet Baks after Hodgson and Baks completed the demonstration. Children approached and petted the dog, which was held by Hodgson on a short leash. When the last child approached the canine, the dog turned and bit the child.

Officer Hodgson was able to quicky restrain the dog and place it in his patrol unit. The child sustained injuries to his left ear, a laceration to the right side of his neck and was quickly transported to Rowan Regional Medical Center. The child's name was not released. Salisbury police cheif, Rory Collins, said the dog has been taken out of service until it can be evaluated. All future K-9 demonstrations have been canceled until the procedural aspects of the program are reviewed for any necessary changes. If you would like to read more on this story please see North Carolina elementary student bit by police dog after a school demonstration.

This incident is very unfortunate for all the parties involved. Although dogs are generally domesticated animals they still have dangerous propensities. Even when dogs are restrained, there remains a chance that they can still bite or otherwise attack people or other animals. Therefore, it is imperative that dog owners keep their dogs under direct control and leashed at all times while around other people or animals. Dog owners should also watch for signs of agitation or irritation in their dogs as these are usually precursors dog bites.

By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A daycare bus flipped over in northwest Houston, Texas injuring the bus driver and a child riding on the bus. The bus was operated by Kollege 4 Kidz Learning Center. According to officials, the daycare bus collided with a sports utility vehicle causing the bus to flip onto its side. There was no further information released on the number of other children aboard the bus or the extent of the driver's and child's injuries. If you would like to read more on this story please see Houston, Texas daycare center bus flips over, driver and child sustain personal injuries.

Roadways can be extremely dangerous, especially during times of heavy traffic flow (for example, during morning and afternoon commutes). Therefore, drivers, especially those who are transporting children, need to stay attentive at all times. Drivers should maintain focus on the road and keep distractions down to a minimum; do not listen to music too loudly, eat, drink, groom, or talk or text on a cell phone while driving. If drivers keep their focus on the road, stay attentive, do not drive aggressively, take precautions and do not otherwise partake in distracting behavior, roadways will become safer for all, especially children.

By Mark H. Freedman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A two-car crash in Michigan killed five and left others in serious or critical condition. Heather Comstock, 18, her boyfriend, Matthew Kostoe, 18, and Sarina Seger, 18, were driving a Toyota Prius home after attending an annual football game against Michigan State University. While driving home, authorities say, the Prius crossed the median and slammed into an oncoming Chevrolet Blazer, killing two adults and injuring three children. The victims in the SUV were identified as Cythia Skutt, 62, and Alfred King, 56, both from Fremont, Ohio. Another 18-year-old was in Prius who was in critical condition, according to officials. If you would like to read more on this incident please see Crash in Michigan kills five and leaves others seriously or critically injured.

It was not reported in the news article what caused the Prius to cross the median. A full investigation will be conducted by local police and / or the Michigan Highway Patrol as to the details and cause of the accident. The cause of the accident may have been from distracted driving. Then again, it could have been from a mechanical defect in the vehicle. There have been many reported accidents that have been caused by an animal crossing the road. As you can see, there can be a single event or cause of a combination of events that led to this most unfortunate automobile accident.

The deaths of these victims are a tragedy for their families and their community. Automobile-related fatalities happen very frequently.

When an automobile accident takes place, it may be a good opportunity to speak to your children about safe driving. It may also be a good opportunity for you to step back and examine your own driving habits.

To keep roadways safer drivers should always be attentive to their surroundings and keep their focus on the road. Distracted driving occurs everyday and has proven to be fatal. Distracted driving activities include but are not limited to: reading, drinking, eating, grooming, talking to other passengers and talking or texting on the cell phone while driving. Engaging in these activities will take a drivers focus off the road. Parents and guardians should inform their children about the dangers of distracted driving, which will, hopefully, make roadways safer, especially for our youth. Some accidents are caused by distracted driving while others are caused by careless driving. In some instances, there is a mechanical defect that causes the accident. While it would be unrealistic to think that every accident can be avoided, all drivers and owners of vehicles should do their best to avoid activities that are distracting to the task of driving including eating, talking on mobile phones, texting, dealing with child issues, and other activities. In addition, all drivers and owners should bring the vehicle in for routine maintenance and inspection. Finally, while it is well known, drinking and / or drug use affect safe driving. If you are impaired in any way from drugs, alcohol, illness, or just being drowsy, get a ride or have someone else drive your vehicle. Yes, these are basic and well known safety tips but they can also save lives.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

http://www.childinjurylawyerblog.com/contact.htmlIn Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it was reported that a 4 year old boy was attacked while playing in a local playground by a Pit Bull breed dog. The incident took place in the Marshall-Shadeland part of town. The injuries were serious enough to require treatment at Children's Hospital. You can read more about this story at 4 Year Old Boy Attacked by Pit Bull Dog in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In Pittsburgh and other communities, there are dogs who pose a risk to children. Some are Pit Bull breed dogs and some are a different breed. Whichever the breed, a dog bite injury can be severe and cause permanent injuries and scarring.

It is important for dog owners in every community to follow local animal control regulations. It is also vital for children's safety for dog owners to maintain control of a dog.

When a child is bit by a dog, there are several issues that may arise including the following:

Who is going to pay the medical bills associated with the dog bite?

Who is legally liable for the dog bite injuries?

What are the applicable animal control laws?

What are the applicable State laws pertaining to animal control and dog bites?

Continue reading " Pit Bull Dog Bite Attack Takes Place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Danger of Pit Bulls to Children " »

By Jay Foster, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Unfortunately Mississippi has been ranked as the State with the highest rate of child deaths in the nation. This is a distinction or ranking that no State would ever relish or want. The Child Death Review Panel for the Mississippi Department of Health has a mission to study the death rates, causes of death, and work to reduce these numbers or statistics. Each year, the Mississippi Child Death Review Panel studies these very important issues and then makes recommendations in hopes of preventing deaths to Mississippi children from causes or dangers that can be removed or lessened through the work and efforts of parents, care givers, driver, and health care providers. See Reporting and Bringing Down Child Death Rate in Mississippi. The various causes of death to children in the State of Mississippi included the following:

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome);

Automobile Accidents (accounted for the greatest number of preventable deaths);

ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) Crashes;

Firearm or Shooting Accidents, Incidents, and Homicide;

Fire Deaths; and

Child Drownings.

The death of a child takes a toll on a family and the entire community. Statistics are just numbers. While these are important numbers and studies, they do not account for the number of lives that are affected or the impact that the deaths have on the parents, siblings, and other family members.

By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The parents of Ryan Spence, a youth football player, are suing the North Texas Football Association, an affiliated association and two coaches. According to a report in the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, the complaint alleges that in November 2008, Ryan's football coach swung a tackling dummy toward Ryan's legs during a drill in order to teach the players how to avoid illegal blocks. The suit also alleges that the dummy hit Ryan's left leg and injured his knee. Ryan was 10-years-old at the time of the alleged incident and has since had two surgeries on his knee.

Todd Mashaw, president of the North Texas association, said the coaches involved in the suit have disputed the allegations against them. If you would like to read more on this story please see Parents sue a Texas football association after son sustains personal injuries.

Youth sports, although fun and provide great exercise for children, can be dangerous. Many children sustain a range of personal injuries as a result of playing in youth sports. Parents and coaches should better appreciate the inherent for potential for injury that exists in youth athletics. With education, common sense, and the focus of on the best interest of the child, personal injuries can be prevented in youth sports.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Recent headlines about abuse occurring in day care centers have many parents concerned. Child safety experts say a critical factor in selecting a day care facility is a parent's instincts. If parents get a bad feeling about a day care, experts encourage parents to take a different route and seek an alternative instead of letting something bad happen to their child.

Parents should seek out available resources to aid them in selecting a day care center. For example, Child Care Resources is an organization that helps parents find a center and train day care staff. However, even with the help of groups - businesses - organizations like Child Care Resources, the ultimate decision is up to the parents. Parents are strongly encouraged to visit the centers and interview the staff themselves so they can make their own personal assessment of every prospective day care. Background checks are also an extremely useful tool in the day care selection process. Parents should do a background check on the day care center itself as well as personal background checks for the day care's employees. If you would like to read more on this topic please see Parental instincts play a huge role in selecting a day care center.

Some excellent points are made in this article. First and foremost being that parents should spend a significant amount of time researching day care centers before selecting a day care. Clearly, a center should not be selected on a whim. Also, it is important for parents to do their own research so they can formulate their own opinions about the center as well as see the environment and staff for themselves. Selecting and day care center for your children is a very tough and demanding process. However, the more research parents do and the more time parents dedicate to the selection process will ensure a safer environment for their children.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Due to safety concerns, Fisher Price is recalling more than 10 million toys and high chairs in the United States and Canada. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), two of the recalled products involved injuries. A majority of the items being recalled is the Fisher-Price Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricycles; a total of 7 million were recalled, 150,000 of those being in Canada. The CPSC is aware of 10 reported child personal injuries caused by this toy, 6 of which required medical attention. The problem with the strikes seems to be a protruding plastic key near the seat that children can strike, sit or fall on, leading to injuries that can cause genital bleeding.

Another item recalled as the following: Fisher-Price Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs; more than 1 million were recalled. The CPSC is aware of 14 reported injuries caused by the high chairs, 7 of which required stitches. The high chairs have pegs on the back of them, which are used for storage purposes, however, children are falling on the pegs resulting in cuts and other injuries.

Two other Fisher-Price toys were recalled:
1. Baby Playzone Crawl & Cruise Playground toys; more than 2.8 million were recalled.
2. Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand'n Play Rampway toys; about 100,000 were recalled.
If you would like to read more on the recall and see a complete list of all the toys recalled please see Fisher-Price recalls more than 10 million of its toys in the United States and Canada.

Inez Tenenbaum, CPSC Chairman, stressed that manufacturers of these toys need to emphasize safety into their products before these product reach the shelves of retail stores. Parents should also take the time to read and become familiar with all the toys recalled. The other toys recalled posed choking hazards to children.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A car crashed into the front of New Beginnings Daycare, an Indiana day care center. The car was driver by a parent whose child attends the day care. Apparently, the driver jumped a curb in the center's parking lot and rammed into the building's office. Luckily, no one was injured. However, severe damages was done to the building; the wall of the knocked in several feet and the floor was littered with debris such as files and bottles. The driver told officials that the brakes of her car malfunctioned. If you would like to read more on this story please see Parent crashes into day care while picking up child.

Generally, drivers need to keep their focus on the road and distractions to a minimum. Distracted driving includes but is not limited to the following activities while driving: talking and texting on the cell phone, eating, grooming and reading. By keeping these distractions to a minimum, drivers will make the roadways safer, especially for children. Also, drivers who keep their focus and attention on the road are at less of a risk of being involved in an accident. These drivers will be aware of their surroundings at all times and be able to react appropriately in pre-accident conditions. Of course, at times, a vehicle will malfunction and cause an accident As such, it is also important to have frequent and scheduled maintenance of vehicles as well.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Parents walk a tight rope between encouraging their children to play competitive sports and pushing their children too far so as to turn them away from sports entirely. Coaches and parents play a key role in a child's future regarding sports.

One relationship that may be a cautionary one is when parents also coach of their children. In this type of relationship, children can see their parents love as conditional based upon their performance the sport. Parents in this role need to appreciate the delicate balance between encouragement and support as well as their potential to change from a mentor to a tormentor.

Parents may also be the reason behind their child's injuries sustained while playing sports. Aggressive and competitive parents may push their children too far and put them under pressure to play when the child is injured or not ready to compete at a higher level. Also, overly aggressive parents can seriously affect a child and can push a child into depression, eating disorders, or overuse injuries.

Coaches should also appreciate these delicate balances and fine lines, especially when speaking to their young athletes. For example, using the wrong word while speaking to gymnast about his or her weight could provoke an eating disorder. If you would like to read more on this topic please see A caution to parents and coaches to not push children too far in competitive sports.

By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Apparently, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has plans to withdraw it proposal to add stricter staffing requiring for the Texas day care facilities. The main reason for the withdrawal is money, especially in the current economy. Specifically, officials predict that lowering the number of children that each day care worker would supervise across the state would increase day care rates.

The withdrawal of this proposal is unfortunate. Supervision is a key factor to keep a children safe and prevent them from sustaining personal injuries, both minor and serious. In its current state, Texas day care centers are struggling with the worker-to-child ratio. If workers have too many children to supervise, they cannot adequately supervise one child under their care because their attention is constantly being diverted. Hopefully, this problem will be solved and Texas day cares will enforce a stricter worker-child ratio. In the meantime, parents should do a thorough research of day care facilities in their area before choosing a specific day care.

If you would like to read on states who have enforced stricter licensing and screening requirements the states' day care centers please read Michigan Governor Signs Day Care Laws - Stricter Reporting Requirements Should Provide Parents with Better Information About Michigan Day Care Centers.

Also, if you would like to read tips on how to do a proper search of day care centers in your area please read Common Sense Tips in Selecting or Researching a Florida Day Care Center for Your Child.

By George R. Fusner, Jr., Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Tennessee and other States, some day care centers follow the rules and regulations and do a great job in supervising and caring for children while many others do not. It is unfortunate the day care centers fail to follow rules that are clearly spelled out in State statutes, regulations, and other laws. In Tennessee, a day care center was recently placed on 2 months of probation for violations of state day care standards and regulations. This same day care center was the site the death of a 2 year old child earlier in the year. John'nay Lewis suffered a fatal head injury when a piece of furniture fell on her head at the Tennessee day care. She died as a result of these injuries the day after the incident. A common day care item (furniture) ended the life of an innocent 2 year old child. This case and others show the importance of maintenance and safety precautions at a day care center. Furniture should be in good repair and all bookshelves, televisions, picture frames, and other items should be secured by anchors and other measures to prevent injuries to children. You can read more about the inspection woes of this North Carolina Day Care Center at Raleigh Tennessee Day Care Center Put on 2 Month Probation.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A 3 year old from Post Falls, Idaho suffered critical injuries while under the care of a babysitter. Police investigators believe that the injuries were caused when a babysitter shoved the child.

When police arrived at the home of the child (Cohen Johnson), he was breathing on his own by he was otherwise nonresponsive. The boy was taken to Kootenai Medical Center and then transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center where his injuries were more fully diagnosed by medical providers. Because of the severity of the injuries, emergency surgeries were performed on the child. Police officials later interviewed the babysitter who admitted that she became very frustrated by the child and shoved him to the ground. You can read more about this story at Post Falls Idaho Babysitter Admits to Shoving Child - Critical Injuries Diagnosed at Hospital.

Patience and good common sense are vital when caring for small children. When a child has a toileting accident or other issue, pause a moment, remain calm, and then address the situation. Shoving, pushing, hitting, or shaking a small child is never the appropriate response to these situations.

By Joni J. Franklin, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Tragically in Kansas and other States, children are the unfortunate victims of injury and even death in day care centers. In Olathe, Kansas, a day care operator was recently convicted for the death of a 18 month old. The incident took place at the day care center in 2009. It was the child's first day at a day care center and also her last day of life. Ava Patrick's head got stuck in the slats of a wooden fence. She suffocated as a result of the incident. The case eventually made it to a criminal jury trial against the operator of the Kansas day care center. A jury convicted Jeanette L. Lawrence, age 47, of involuntary manslaughter. The day care center was overcrowded and understaffed.

This case illustrates the importance of staffing and safety measures in day care centers. It is vital that the day care center - both inside and outside of the facility - is safe for children. With good safety measures and consistent, responsible adult supervision, many tragedies like these in Kansas day care centers can be avoided.

You can read more about this story at Former Day Care Center Operator Convicted in Child's Death - Suffocation in Wooden Fence.

By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A shooting occurred at a privately-owned off-campus fraternity house in New Jersey. A Seton Hall University student said the gunman stood on her back while firing off rounds, apparently with no intended target. The party started on a Friday evening and went into early Saturday, with at least 100 people in attendance. According to students, the shooter was kicked out of the party earlier in the evening for refusing to pay cover to get into the house. The Seton Hall University student stated she heard a fight erupt before the gunman was kicked out and moments later he returned with a handgun and started shooting.

The gunman shot Jessica Moore, a 19-year-old honors student from Disputanta, Virginia. Moore later died at the hospital. Authorities have not released the names of the four other victims, all of whom were wounded but whose injuries were not considered life-threatening. Among these victims were two 19-year-old women who attend Seton Hall, a 25-year-old man who attends the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a 20-year-old man from New York who is not a student.

According to Andrew Di Elmo, spokesman for East Orange police, had not yet identified the suspect but were following several leads. This neighborhood, which is nearby Seton Hall campus, is known for being dangerous. If you would like to read more on this story please see Gunman kills 1 and injures 4 at an off-campus fraternity party.

Jessica Moore's death is a tragedy for her family and community. Although the shooting is over, its impact is ever-present.

By Scott A. Marks, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Novato, California, school officials closed down three playgrounds at schools to further study the playgrounds for safety precautions. Experts will be consulted to determine what modifications need to be made to make the playgrounds safer for children. One child was reported to fall from the structure which, in turn, caused a fractured arm. Another child also fractured an arm while another suffered from a dislocated shoulder. It was reported that 6 children suffered broken bones after falling from these structures in just a 3 week time period. Officials will evaluate the height of the structure, the number of children that have been playing on the structure at one time, and the manufacturer specifications for the structure.

Playgrounds are a site of great fun for children; however, all available safety precautions should be taken for children. Just because a playground structure is new does not mean that it is safe. You can read more about this story at Novato Schools Closes Down Playgrounds After Reports of Injuries / Fractures to Children.

By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The driver of a small, black regular cab truck with pinstripes down the side is wanted for questioning in an hit-and-run accident involving a 12-year-old bicyclist. The Heath, New Jersey Police Department was notified about the incident when the child's mother called and informed them her child had been hit while riding home.

The child was transported to Licking Memorial Hospital where police later interviewed the victim. The victim told a police officer that the driver of the truck initially stopped and asked if the victim was OK, the driver then left the scene. The 12-year-old victim described the driver as a white male, clean shaven, with dark hair and in his 30s. If you would like to read more on this incident please see Police search for trucker driver allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Luckily, this child was not killed. Drivers involved in accidents causing personal injury and/or death are required by law to stop and stay at the scene until their legal obligations have been fulfilled. Depending upon the jurisdiction, the severity of a hit-and-run offense will differ. However, it is an inherent obligation of a driver to stop and stay at the scene of any accident he or she is involved in.

By Kevin Leach, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A Fairfax County day care worker was arrested and is being held on a charge that he molested a four-year-old girl. The man was arrested while trying to flee the country. The day care worker was identified as 22-year-old Siyamand Salehzadeh, he was an employee at Minnieland Day care center in the Centreville area of Virginia.

According to Officer Tawny Wright, police were notified on September 21 of the allegations that Salehzadeh had sexually assaulted the 4-year-old girl at the day care center. Police obtained a warrant the following day charging Salehzadeh with sodomy.

Salehzadeh was caught trying to enter into Ontario from Alexandria Bay, New York. He was turned away by Canadian authorities because of the warrant. He was turned over to New York State Police and then extradited back to Fairfax. Salehzadeh is entitled to an attorney and a trial. If you would like to read more on this story please see Virginia day care worker is being held on a charge of molesting a four-year-old girl.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Louisville, Kentucky and other towns and cities, there is one particular area at a home that can be and is extremely dangerous to children - "the driveway". Unfortunately and tragically, driveway or back over accidents and incidents continue to be reported in Kentucky and other parts of the United States. In Louisville, Fox 41 News reported that a 22 month old girl died as a result of getting hit by a vehicle in a driveway. It was reported that the vehicle was driven by the girl's father. This appears to be an incident in which the driver just did not see the child as he was back up or driving in the driveway. Toddlers are short and small and often times cannot be seen by a driver operating a vehicle in the driveway. News reports indicate that no charges are anticipated regarding this incident.

The death of a toddler due to a back over or driveway accident is quite tragic and a tremendous loss for the family and community. You can read more about this story at
Toddler Accidentally Hit By Vehicle in Family Driveway.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Jennifer Mock, a 37-year-old woman, crashed her car into an Eastern Pennsylvania day care center last November; the center was full of children at the time of the incident. Mock has recently admitted that she was driving under the influence when the crash occurred. Although no children were injured, an employee at the center, Little Sunshines Day Care Center, did suffer a leg injury.

Mock pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and other charges. Police say her blood-alcohol level was 0.14 at the time of the incident; Pennsylvania's legal limit is 0.08. The woman stated she was distracted by a puppy on her lap when the crash occurred. If you would like to read more on this story please see Woman admits to DUI after crashing her car through the wall of a Pennsylvania day care.

Luckily no children were injured as a result of this incident. Not only was this woman driving under the influence but she was also engaged in another deadly activity - distracted driving. Although the most popular form of distracted driving is talking or texting on the cell phone it is not limited to that activity. Eating, grooming, putting on make up, talking to other passengers, listening to loud music, etc. are all examples of distracted driving. These activities take the driver's focus and attention off the road making him or her more susceptible to being involved in a crash. Limit your distractions and keep your focus on the road. Doing so will protect yourself and others.

By Benjamin A. Klopman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Karl Marshall Walker, Jr., a 38-year-old teacher's aide, was found guilty of sexually abusing a third-grade student at Bryant Woods Elementary School. Walker's conviction sets precedent in the state of Maryland for a sex crime conviction without evidence of inappropriate physical contact. Walker worked at the school for over three years. During that time he wrote dozens of love letters to the 8-year-old girl upon which he was convicted. These letters contained Walker's desire to kiss the girl and requests that she kept the correspondences between them secret.

Howard County Circuit Judge Diane O. Leasure stated that sexual acts were not limited to physical acts. The totality of the circumstances, including the love letters, hugging and hand-holding, were exploitative. Walker's sentencing date was set for some time in January and could face up to 14 years in prison in accordance with sentencing guidelines. In the meantime, Walker has been placed on supervised probation and ordered to not have contact with children younger that 18-years-old. However, the judge did make an exception for Walker's two children, an infant and a 10-year-old. If you would like to read more on this story please see Michigan Teacher's aide found guilty of sexually exploiting a third-grader.

Sexual exploiting minors is a heinous crime, which may inflict lifelong physical and emotional injuries upon the victim. If you believe someone is the victim of child abuse, sexual or physical, contact local authorities immediately. Contacting local authorities will initiate a criminal investigation into the alleged conduct and put the perpetrator behind bars as well as stop the abuse.

By Steven Smith, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A Pittsford, New York day care center is being investigated after a child came home with a fractured skull. To this day, parents still do not know how the incident happened. After the incident, a local news team learned that the day care center, Storybrook Child Care, was cited for serious violations. In May, the little boy was sent home with a head injury and the day care did not report or document the incident. The boy's parents discovered the injury by giving him a kiss on the head one day. After stumbling upon their son's injury, the parents immediately rushed their child to the hospital; the infant's head had begun to swell and he was diagnosed with a skull fracture.

After this terrible incidents, the State of New York stepped in and initiated an investigation on the center. The inspection found almost a dozen of violations, many of which were serious and one was labeled "imminent danger." The violations included leaving children without competent supervision, failing to notify the parents of a child's injury, failing to report an injury to the state, failing to supervise staff and failing to cooperate with an inspection or child abuse investigation. According to the sheriff's report, this is not the first claim of child maltreatment that has been reported against the center.

If you would like to read more on this story please see Day care in Pittsford, NY goes under investigation after sending a young boy home with a skull fracture.

Day care workers and employees have a duty to protect the children under their care. Parents place a significant amount of trust in these workers and employees to protect and keep their children safe when the parents are unavailable. No day care worker or employee should ever neglect or underestimate the position of trust placed in the hands of a day care worker or employee.

By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Lexus Campbell, a two-year-old girl recently died at an unlicensed day care in Bertram, Texas. According to a police report, the police responded to a call around 2:45 p.m. stating that a child had fallen from a bed and was unresponsive. The toddler was taken to Dell Children's Medical Center, in Austin, Texas, where she was pronounced dead.

Both the Bertram Police Department and the Department of Family and Protective Services are investigating the incident. As of now, no charges have been filed in relation to the two-year-olds her death. If you would like to read more on this incident please see Two-year-old girl dies at an unlicensed Texas day care.

The death of this two-year-old girl is a tragedy for her family and community. Typically, child care providers, who run a day care center, must be licensed in Texas. Recently, state legislatures have enacted laws that would increase the licensing and screening requirements for day care facilities and its workers. If you would like to read about these stricter screening requirements please see Michigan Governor Signs Day Care Laws - Stricter Reporting Requirements Should Provide Parents with Better Information About Michigan Day Care Centers.