January 6, 2010

Doctors Frequently Overlook or Miss Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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A medical study in Pediatrics - Delayed Identification of Pediatric Abuse- Related Fractures - reported that doctors often miss the signs of child abuse and neglect. The study found that doctors, especially those who were not pediatricians or pediatric specialist, often misdiagnosed child abuse type of fractures for accidental fractures. This was especially the case when the victim / patient was a boy. The report indicated that there was a delayed recognition of abusive fractures in children. When a child is abused or neglected, time is often of the essence in removing the child from a dangerous living environment or from the dangerous person whether it is a parent, teacher, child care giver, older sibling, or another child. You can read more about this study at Doctors Overlook Signs of Child Abuse.

Parents should seek medical attention from a pediatric specialist if possible when dealing with fractures that take place at day care centers, schools, and other areas. It is important for a parent to get a clear diagnosis of the injury including the probable cause of the injury.

October 7, 2009

Design of City, Roads, and Playgrounds Can Reduce the Incidents of Child Injury and Accidental Death

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

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The Canadian Press recently published an article that contained some interesting information regarding city design, roads, and playgrounds. A city in Canada was compared to a similar city in Sweden. The incidents of child deaths and injuries in Sweden was lower due, in part, to city design, road planning, and playground safety. One important difference is planning for cars or vehicles and planning for pedestrians, bicyclists, and children. You can read more about this topic at Improving Design of Environment Reduces Child Injury and Death.

September 27, 2009

Winnipeg, Canada Baby Critically Injured During Fight in Apartment Complex

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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Violent crimes including fights and domestic violence can lead to serious injuries to babies and small children. In Winnipeg, Canada, a fight reportedly took place in an apartment complex. During the fight, a baby boy suffered serious personal injuries when he was stabbed at the Shaughnessy Heights Public Housing Complex. The boy is only 8 months old. This incident shows the dangers of fighting especially when children are present. You can read more about this most unfortunate incident at Fight in Winnipeg Apartment Complex Leads to Serious Child Injuries.

May 20, 2009

Craigslist in Atlanta Georgia Investigated for Child Prostitution

By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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The website Craigslist.com in Atlanta is under investigation by law enforcement agencies for its use as a child prostitution site. A non-profit child advocacy organization claims that in February, 2009, 176 girls were advertised on Craigslist in Atlanta, Georgia. The FBI has filed charges against two individuals for taking nude photographs of a 17 year old girl and then uploading them onto Craigslist. According to the FBI charges, the two individuals who were charged worked for two days as a prostitute, providing her earnings to the two individuals who have since been charged.

Craigslist reached an agreement with the attorneys general of more than 40 states, including Georgia, in November, 2008. Under this agreement, Craiglist requires posters of erotic services to pay a fee and give a valid credit card. While this agreement had an initial impact on the number of erotic postings, the number of erotic postings of children has since risen again. To read more about this story see Problems with Craigslist Pornography and Child Prostitution.

May 7, 2009

Children with Arthritis At Risk for Fractures According to Canadian Medical Study

By David Hollingsworth, Canadian Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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Canadian medical researchers have reported that children with arthritis are at higher risk for fractures. The medical study demonstrated that vertebral (spinal) fractures were associated with this higher risk population of children. Arthritis in children is commonly associated with abnormally low bone mass called osteopenia. This, in turn, can progress to osteoporosis which is also called brittle bone disease. The study was reported in the Journal of Pediatrics. The research was conducted through the Montreal Children's Hospital.

Children with arthritis and other pre-existing medical conditions may be a greater risk for injury. As such, parents, caregivers, teachers, day care workers, and sport coaches should exercise due care in the supervision of these children. Just because a child is at risk does not mean that injuries are unavoidable. It only means that the child is more vulnerable for injury.

You can read more about this story at Canadian Researchers Report Higher Incidence in Fractures for Children with Arthritis.