Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

There is a troubling and very dangerous game out there called "Sack Tapping" that boys are playing. The game is no laughing matter because many boys are suffering serious personal injuries to their groins / testicles that require emergency room care and, in some cases, surgery. Sack Tapping is painful, humiliating, and quite dangerous. Has your child been a victim of "Sack Tapping"? If so, there are several actions that you can take to address the problem. First, get your child medical care if needed to make sure that your child's medical needs are addressed. Report the incident to the school and, if the situation warrants it, to the police. If injuries are serious, a parent can seek out a Child Injury Lawyer for consultation and representation. If there was a failure to supervise the aggressive child, then a claim may be brought against the school or other organization charged with supervising the children. In addition, there may be an action against the parents of the aggressive child through a homeowner's insurance policy or through other avenues. If you see children engaged in this dangerous activity known as "Sack Tapping", stop the children and counsel them on the dangers. For more information about this dangerous fad or trend, see ' Sack tapping' - boys punching classmates in the groin - leads to serious injury, amputation.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Children often times are injured in their very own backyards as well as the backyards of neighbors and friends. Homeowners and parents can take safety measures to reduce the number of hazards and risks to children playing in the backyard. Child safety should be a priority.

Here are some basic safety tips that can be implemented to help prevent child personal injuries from taking place in the backyard:

Pools. Put a fence around the pool. Limit access to the pool area. Supervise children any time they are in or near the pool area. Clean the space in and around the pool area from debris, tools, and other objects. Also make sure that all items in and around the pool are in good repair.

Potted Plants and Related Items. Keep hanging plants and heavy plants out of the reach and the control of the child. Remove and lock up all pesticides and chemicals.

Lighting in Backyard. Install motion sensors and good lighting so that children and others can see when in the backyard at night.

Fences. Make sure that fences are in good repair and that locks and latches are functional and well maintained. Check for any exposed nails and sharp objects on the fence and make sure that repairs and / or replacements are made.

Stairs and Railing. Make sure all stairs and railings are well maintained and free from mold, mildew and algae. Make sure stairs and railing are sturdy and free from any obvious or hidden dangers.

You can read other safety tips at Keeping the Backyard Safe - Preventing Child Personal Injuries.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Some household chores can lead to serious personal injuries to children. In Nebraska, a 3 year old boy suffered serious personal injuries after he fell in front of a lawnmower. The 3 year old boy was running in the yard when he slipped and fell. The 17 year old, who was operating the Craftsman riding lawnmower, could not stop. Unfortunately, the 3 year old boy suffered injuries to his lower body with concentration to his left leg. A helicopter was dispatched to the home and the boy was transported to Creighton University Medical Center.

When mowing a lawn, all small children should be kept away from the part of the yard being cut. In addition, there should be parental supervision in place to make sure that a small child does not wander or play near the lawnmower. You can read more about this story at Nebraska 3 Year Old Boy Suffers Serious Personal Injuries as a Result of a Lawnmower Accident.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Washington and many other States, spring brings weather in which we can finally enjoy the outdoors and open our windows. Parents, teachers, caregivers, and day care providers should be aware that an open window can be very dangerous for curious children who lack good safety awareness. Safety precautions should be taken which can include screens and other devices that keep the child from falling out of the window. In Marysville, Washington, a 3 year boy fell out of a window. Another child was reported to have fallen within the last month of so. Emergency rooms in Washington and other States report that these incidents typically occur between the months of May and October. You can read more about this story and the dangers of open windows at Maryville Washington Boy Injured After He Falls Out of a Window.

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Slidell, Louisiana, a man was arrested and charged with the death of a 22 month old girl. As reported in the WWLTV News, the St. Tammany Sheriff's office believes that Rubie Boland was shaken and assaulted by her babysitter at the time - Andrew Roberts (age 20).

The grandmother called an ambulance to get some medical assistance for the child. She was then rushed to a local hospital but the doctors were unable to save her life from the alleged attack that caused this life ending personal injuries to this small child.

St. Tammany Sheriff Strain reported that Mr. Roberts was already having a "bad day" prior to the incident. Rubie Boland had a potty accident which is common for children of this age. Apparently, Mr. Roberts responded harshly to this incident by
picking Rubie up by her feet and slamming her against the floor.

The assault and truly excessive discipline alleged to have been committed by Mr. Roberts causes serious personal injuries and traumatic brain damages to this helpless and defenseless child.

You can read more about this story at Man Charged in Shaken Baby Assault / Attack Regarding Death of 22 Month Old Girl in Louisiana.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning and recall notice for roman shades sold by Ethan Allen Design Centers under the Ethan Allen brand name. The recall involves over 150,000 shades, which are said to pose a strangulation threat if a child places his or her neck between the inner cord and the fabric back of the shade, or if the child wraps the inner cord or exposed loop around his or her neck.

The recall is for all styles and sizes of roman shades, which were custom, made-to-order shades priced between four hundred and a thousand dollars. The shades were made in a wide variety of colors, sizes and fabrics, and bear no markings indicating that they are Ethan Allen brand shades. Affected shades were sold at the stores from 1999 through December 2009.

Parents who have installed these shades in their homes should remove the shades from use immediately and contact the store where the shades were purchased to request a free repair kit. Many children have become entangled in the chords, and three children have been killed.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission would like to remind all consumers to carefully inspect any shades in their home to be sure that there are no exposed cords or inner cords. If such cords are found and children are likely to be present in the home, the shades should be replaced immediately.

See product pictures and get Ethan Allen recall contact information at the CPSC website: Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roman Shades by Ethan Allen.

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

In New York and other states, there are many dangers in the home. Toddlers are very curious and adventurous. In addition, toddlers have poor safety awareness. Many parents, day care operators, and child care providers do not realize it but there are dangers in common every day household objects like window blind cords and chains. In Holtsville, New York, it was recently reported that a 2 year old toddler died after becoming entangled in a window blind chain according to the local police. Brendon McCarthy died after what appears to be a tragic accident in his home. He was found in the home by his father. The death of Brendon is a great loss for his family, friends, neighbors and the community. You can read more about this story at Holtsville, New York Boy Dies as a Result of Entanglement in Window Blind Chain.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Both spring break and summer are just around the corner, so now is a great time for parents and children to refresh their water safety skills. Planning ahead can make a day at the beach, pool or water park fun and relaxing for everyone.

Before you go:
Most drowning accidents involving children under five years old happen at a residential pool. Families with backyard pools should make sure they use appropriate safeguards, like a latched four foot high isolation fence around the pool area with an alarm. You should also keep the pool covered when not in use, and keep safety devices within reach at all times.

Even if you do not own your own pool, parents should get themselves CPR trained and carry a first-aid kit when they go out with their kids for the day.

While in the water:
Supervision is the most critical aspect to keeping everyone safe. Never just assume someone else is watching your child. A life vest is the most important piece of safety equipment for your children – “floaties” and water wings are for recreation only. Parents should also consider water shoes for everyone to protect feet from rocks and broken glass.

At the end of the day:
If you own a pool make sure it is covered, the gate is locked, and that any toys are moved out of the pool area.

Read more tips for water safety at From the YMCA: Get your water-safety procedures in place as spring break approaches.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A startling statistic is that death rates are twice as high in homes without working fire alarms. SAFE Kids USA reports that over one hundred thousand kids are hurt every year in the US in fire and burn incidents. These incidents are also the the third leading cause of death for children under fourteen years old. In sixty six percent of the cases where a child was injured or died from a residential fire, the fire alarms either weren't working or were simply never installed. Remarkably, statistics show that a working fire alarm reduces your chances of dying in a fire by fifty percent.

Making sure that the fire alarms in your home are working is incredibly simple and inexpensive to do. A Nebraska Fire Department spokesperson offered the following tips for making sure your home’s fire alarms are in working order:

• Fire alarms that are older than ten years old should be replaced.
• Batteries should be replaced twice a year, don’t wait for them to start chirping: pick a set of dates you are likely to remember and put them on your calendar.
• If your fire alarm does start chirping, DO NOT simply turn it off and plan to replace the battery “later.” Go to the store immediately and replace the battery right away.
• Consider installing hard-wired alarms, which are more reliable.
• Take extra care with cigarettes, home cooking equipment and space heaters.

Find out more ways to protect your child from fire and burn injuries at Change your clock, check your batteries.

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

Lighters are common household items. It should also be noted that lighters are very dangerous in the hands of a toddler or child. In North Carolina, a 2 year old boy suffered third degree burns after he lit his clothes on fire from a lighter. The boy's parents were charged with negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. Investigating officers observed marijuana and other drug paraphernalia at the the home. The incident may have occurred after the parents had smoked marijuana.

The boy was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital at the University of North Carolina. You can read more about this story at North Carolina Boy Airlifted for Burn Injuries from Lighter.

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

In Texas and other states throughout the nation, there is a danger in virtually every home - the bathtub. Leaving a toddler / small child unattended in a bathtub can lead to tragedy. In Houston, Texas, a 8 month old boy was left unattended for a period long enough to drown. The incident took place at approximately 5:20 p.m. While attending to some other children, the baby drowned. Parents and caregivers need to devote all their time and attention to the child in the bathtub due to the real and present danger of drowning. Since a child can drown in a very short period of time, there is no acceptable periods of inattention or lack of supervision when a child is in a bathtub. Unfortunately, many parents, who are loaded with responsibilities of work, housework, and other children, do not recognize the danger of the bathtub until it is too late. You can read more about this story at Baby Reported as Drowning Death in Houston, Texas.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Child safety starts at home. A good article was posted at the website - www.doityourself.com on the issue of child proof door locks. Unfortunately, many children are injured in the home every day. Many of these personal injuries result when a child wanders out of the home or into an area of the home where the child does not belong. Installing appropriate child proof locks can provide a toddler / child from the every day dangers that present themselves in the home. Providing child proof door locks is one step among many that a parent, caregiver, and day care owner can take to prevent injuries to children. See 6 Reasons for Having a Child Proof door Lock in Your Home.

6 Reasons for Having a Child Proof Door Lock in Your Home

Childproofing your home is an important aspect of ensuring the safety and security of your children, and a child proof door lock is a valuable asset in this context. Young children are known for their sense of adventure, and every parent must be vigilant about the possible dangers this may lead to. Enlisted below are the most important reasons for having a child proof door lock in different parts of your home.

1 – Keeps Children Away from Danger
Children love to explore their surroundings, starting at very young ages. If the front door on your home can be opened by young children, the dangers they are exposed to are immense. It is crucial that you use a child proof door lock on the front door of your home, to avoid unsupervised explorations outdoors. Ensure that all the doors to the outside of your home, such as the patio door, side doors, garage doors and windows have child proof latches and locks on them.

2 – Protects Kids from Risky Situations in the Home
Areas such as the kitchen and bathroom are dangerous for unsupervised young children. Electric shocks, drowning, burns, falls, heavy items tilting over, etc are some of the most common risks that a young child may be exposed to. When you are not around, it is prudent to keep these areas out of the access of young children. In the kitchen, appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and knives are highly dangerous. An inquisitive child may try to climb inside a large appliance and become trapped. There is also a high risk of injuries and burns, which can eliminated with a child proof door lock.

3 – Keeps Appliances and Electric Devices Away from Kids
In the office, there are several sharp objects and substances such as ink or glue, which are potentially dangerous to young children. In additions, electrical devices and cords increase the risks of fires and shocks. An unoccupied office must be secured shut with a childproof lock.

4 – Reduces Chances of Finger Injury
A child who can open a door is more at risk of jamming his fingers in between and getting seriously injured. A child proof door lock can eliminate this risk, while at the same time keeping the child safely out of dangerous territory.

5 – Provides Security and Peace of Mind
If you do not have child proof door locks in your home, you must ensure the safety of your children by closely monitoring them at all times. It can be very stressful to do this, especially when you can be easily distracted by a visitor or a phone call. Child proof door locks are a reliable means of ensuring the safety of your children, even if they are out of your sight for some time.

6 – Allows Children to Explore the Unlocked Areas in the Home
Child proof door locks also afford peace of mind to young kids, because they can freely explore the safe areas in their home. A child who is told ‘no’ too often may show an inclination to become disobedient over time.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/6-reasons-for-having-a-child-proof-door-lock-in-your-home#ixzz0gROzPMNN

By Al Thiel, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Sergeant Louis Carlos of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Police Department was present at the hospital when the two year old son of Jennifer Stephenson and a Mr. Apodaca was brought into the emergency room with four centimeter welts across the backs of both of his legs. The police officer said it was very hard for him to listen to the child screaming in pain, and even harder to hear what his parents had to say about it.

According to the child’s father, he entered the boy’s room and found him on lying on his bed underneath a chest of drawers. The child’s mother claimed that she didn’t see or hear anything. But doctors told police that the welts are consistent with the child being tightly bound by ropes, and said they suspected abuse or neglect. They added that they may need to amputate the boy’s legs; they have already performed surgery to remove some of the damaged tissue in hopes of saving his legs.

Both Ms. Stephenson and Apodaca have been arrested and charged with child abuse. The child and his little sister are in the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. Find out more details of this heartbreaking story at Santa Fe Couple Arrested, Accused Of Child Abuse.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A young boy is in critical condition from gun injuries he suffered in his own home. The child, whose name and age have not been released to the press, was put to bed in his parents’ bedroom one night. During the night he apparently discovered his father’s loaded firearm in the night stand. The gun went off, piercing the child’s arm and his abdomen.

The child’s father is reported to be Jared Bledsoe, who joined the Las Vegas police department last year. The Abuse and Neglect Detail of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the incident. A report will be submitted to the Clark County district attorney, who is responsible for deciding if Bledsoe will be prosecuted or not. The police department Internal Affairs Division will review the case as well.

Nevada state law requires parents to securely store firearms. Like other Nevada parents involved in similar incidents, Bledsoe could be charged with felony child endangerment or felony child abuse and negligence. Read more details about the incident at Son of police officer critical after accidentally shooting himself.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Aaron Pace of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was babysitting twenty month old Suliaman Orrell Kirkland recently, with other family members present in the home. Pace, who refers to himself as the child’s godfather, allegedly wet a rag with Drano and applied it to the child’s skin to punish him for being uncooperative.

Of course, Mr. Pace and / or any other potential Defendant has the right to advice and counsel from a criminal defense attorney. The district attorney and police department have a duty to investigate deaths of this nature to determine if a crime was committed, the type of crime committed, and the evidence available to prove such a crime. Some child deaths result from inattention, negligence, or just an unfortunate and unpredictable incident. Others result from intentional and reckless acts which should be prosecuted.

Pace’s family members did not witness the alleged Drano incident, but did notice sometime later that Suliaman was injured, and called the child’s mother. She in turn called an ambulance. When paramedics arrived, they found the child covered with chemical burns on his upper extremities. The child was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He died of his injuries the next day. Pace is being held by police but has not been charged with any crime.

There are far too many stories in the news about children being “punished” by being exposed to toxic household chemicals. These chemicals are very dangerous and can seriously injure or even kill a young child. Parents and caregivers need to understand that injuring a child is not an appropriate disciplinary tool. More details about the tragic death of Suliaman Orrell Kirkland can be found by visiting Police: Babysitter killed toddler with Drano.

By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Keilysha M. Ruiz, a three month old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died after spending the night in her mother’s bed with her mother and her two year old brother. Keila Torres, the child’s mother, told police that the child had seemed fine the night before. Keilysha had woken up early in the morning, but refused to take her bottle, so Ms. Torres went back to sleep. When she awoke the next morning, the infant was limp and unresponsive.

Emergency responders pronounced Keilysha dead at the scene. Ms. Torres told investigators that she had gotten up and left the children alone in the bed when the child’s father, Josue E. Ruiz Caballero entered the bedroom and saw blood coming out of the girl’s nose. Ruiz Caballero did not corroborate Ms. Torres’ story, saying that he was awaked by Ms. Torres screaming that something had happened to the infant.

The Milwaukee medical examiner’s office has not yet confirmed the cause of death. Co-sleeping, or “the family bed” is the practice of sleeping in the same bed with a child. Co-sleeping can put babies at risk for suffocation or other serious injuries. While the cause of death in this case is under investigation, parents and caregivers should be aware of the risks caused by co-sleeping or the family bed. Read more details of the story at Infant girl dies after sharing bed.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Over 2 million children are injured each year from hazards in the home. Yes, hazards in the home. The blog / website www.bestparentingskills.com published a very good article that outlined 12 safety devices that parents and homeowners can put in place to prevent many of these unfortunate and some times tragic incidents / injuries from taking place. See 12 Safety Devices to Protect Your Children. The safety devices mentioned were as follows:

*Safety latches and locks;

*Safety gates;

*Door knob covers and door locks;

*Anti-scald devices;

*Smoke detectors;

*Window guards and safety netting;

*Corner and edge bumpers;

*Outlet covers and outlet plates;

*Carbon monoxide detector;

*Window blind cord safety tassels;

*Door stops and door holders; and

*Cordless phones.

Many of the above devices are inexpensive and easy to install. By taking a little bit of time and money, a child's life can be saved and personal injuries can be avoided. Parents, homeowners, schools, and day care centers should take all reasonable precautions and measures to act in the best interests of children.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A common every day object like a chopstick or a pencil may seem harmless. However, these common objects can actually be very dangerous to infants and toddlers. A news story was reported from Beijing, China involving a 14 month old boy who accidentally had a chopstick go up his nose and into his brain from a fall. Fortunately, doctors were later able to remove the chopstick through surgery. Doctors were concerned about a possible infection because the chopstick was dirty.

Parents should take note of this incident and do their best to remove any object that may cause harm to a small child from a fall or other related incident. You can read more about this story at Chopstick Removed from Toddler's Brain.

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

In Mississippi and other States, most homes have a bath tub. Many parents may not realize that a bath tub is very dangerous to small children. Drownings in bath tubs continue to be reported. All children should be supervised when in or near a bath tub that has any amount of water in it. Even a small amount of water in a bath tub can lead to a drowning. If a bath tub is not being used, drain it. Tragically, safety measures are not taken or forgotten. In these instances, some children are injured or even die. You can read more about the recent drowning in a bath tub in Mississippi at Child Drowning Investigated by George County Sheriff.

Many child injuries occurring in the family home can be avoided with better supervision and safety measures. Televisions, electronic equipment, and furniture can be quite dangerous when they tip over on a small child. Even though televisions over the years have become lighter in weight, the flat screen televisions can still inflict severe injuries on a child especially when the television falls off of a shelf or falls off of its mounting. Parents and homeowners should securely fasten televisions, furniture, and electronic equipment to help avoid the incidents leading to serious injuries to children. You can read more about this topic at Tipping Point - Anchor Furniture and Televisions in the Home.