Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Alexis George a 6-year-old girl of Conway, Arkansas, tragically died after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street on her bicycle. Alexis was following her siblings across the street when she was struck by the vehicle. The children were crossing Sapphire Street traveling towards Meadowlake Street. Her siblings made it across safely, however, Alexis came into contact with the left front end of an oncoming automobile. The contact caused Alexis and her bicycle to be thrown over the vehicle. She was taken to Conway Regional Medical Center and subsequently transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. La Tresha Woodruff, public information officer for the Conway Police Department, said Alexis died as a result of the personal injuries she sustain in the collision. For more read 6-year-old Arkansas girl dies of personal injuries after bicycle struck by car while crossing street.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of injuries to children riding bicycles every year. Almost every community is touched or affected by bicycle accidents involving a child. It is important for drivers to exercise the utmost of safety when driving anywhere near a school, park, residential neighborhood, and any where else a child is riding a bicycle.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Teeny Tiny Tots Day Care of Little Rock, Arkansas is under investigation by the State of Arkansas Department of Human Services due to a police report filed by a mother whose child attends the day care. The mother, Jeanette Mojica filed the police report after she found bite marks all over her 11-month-old daughter, who attended the day care - Mojica is accusing the day care of negligence. After the shocking discovery, Mojica took her toddler to a hospital where doctors counted close to 20 bite marks.

Julie Munsell, of DHS, said the fact the child was bitten is not so shocking because children, at certain ages, tend to resort to biting as a means of expressing themselves; however, the scope is what is troublesome in this incident. Munsell also stated that the day care facility, Teeny Tiny Tot Day Care Center, is currently in compliance with licensing rules. But, that has not always been the case - over the past couple of years the day care center had quite a few violations and citations for various things. If you would like to read more on this story please see Arkansas mother charges day care center with negligence after she found her toddler covered in bite marks.

Hopefully, the toddler is not permanently injured, emotionally or physically (scarred), as a result of this incident and she has a full and quick recovery. Day care centers can never underestimate the amount of supervision that is needed when dealing with children. Also, day care providers and the employees and day care facilities need to appreciate the amount of trust they are given - parents pick these day care centers to adequately watch their children when they, the parents, cannot. Children engage in unpredictable behavior. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of day care centers to provide a sufficient amount of supervision to ensure the children in its custody are safe from sustaining personal injuries.

Also, DHS lists all the licensed day care centers in Arkansas with information about complaints and violations. The webpage is open to the public. Click here to do your own search of licensed day cares in the state of Arkansas.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Arkansas and other States, emergency room doctors and pediatricians see their fair share of child injuries from bicycle accidents. According to Mechelle Winslow of the Arkansas Children's Hospital Injury Prevention Center, bicycle helmets are an important safety measure for children riding bicycles. Head injuries to children are common in bicycle accidents. With a proper helmet, many injuries can be prevented or lessened with the helmet taking the brunt of the trauma rather than the child's head. A good suggestion by Winslow is to have the child pick out his or her own helmet. This may make it more likely for the child to wear the helmet. Children should be taught from an early age that a helmet is not optional. No helmet - no bicycle riding. Eventually, the child will put on the helmet without even being asked to. You can read more about this topic at Bicycle Safety Tip to Teach Your Children.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Little Rock, Arkansas, a tragic incident took place on a school bus. It was reported that an 8 year old boy (Malik Lewis) boarded the bus and then opened the emergency door and fell out. He suffered a fatal head injury after hitting his head on the pavement. At the time of the incident, Malik was calling for his mother as he was opening the Emergency Door. It is certainly a tragic ending to such a young life right in front of others including his mother. You can read about this story at 8 Year Old Falls Off School Bus in Little Rock, Arkansas.

It is expected that an investigation will be conducted into this incident which will include an interview of the driver, mother, and other eyewitnesses. The story reported did not indicate one way or the other if there was a video on board the school bus which would provide additional information as to this incident.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In the United States, there is a right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. With rights come responsibilities. These responsibilities include the safe use, storage and transportation of guns and fire arms. There are many companies that have produced some excellent products that make guns safety. I had the opportunity to pose some questions to Wayne Woolsey, CEO of Waynes Wicked Enterprises, Inc. based in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

How long has your company been in business? Since 2007

What products do you sell that promote gun safety? Rifle Reel, Barrel Bumper, and Wrist Lanyard

How do your products make guns more safe than guns that do not have your safety
products?
Master instructors of the International Hunter’s Education Association, have field tested the Rifle Reel and Barrel Bumper and have given it the highest compliments and accolades for its safety factors and innovative approach. As of 2008, the IHEA is using the Rifle Reel as a teaching tool during hunter education classes to help reduce the number of accidents due to:
Un-customized fit while firearm is being transported;
Unsafe methods while hoisting firearm into elevated stands;
Dropping firearm from elevated stands;
Failure to identify target;
Foreign objects (i.e, mud, debris) in the barrel of firearm;
Sling catching on objects because of it always hanging down;
Being seen in no/low light wile transporting game and firearm out of the woods;
Keeping black powder rifles from getting moisture in barrel while carrying it in the muzzle up position; and/or
Used as visual aid for hunters to be aware of a loaded black powder rifle.

What role does the safety of children play in how you market your products? Changing the way our youth looks at hunting with a firearm is huge. I have 3 boys who hunt and they are safer now than they have ever been. If all hunters have operational procedures instead of guidelines, the sport would become safer, like aviation. I am a professional pilot and safety is vital and so is having a partner that is trained the same as yourself. I know if he is not doing something correct because of procedures and I can immediately make a correction.

What is your advice to gun owners who have children? Use a trigger lock when the firearm is not in use. Also store the ammo and clips in another locked area than the firearm. The problem is no one has developed products while using a firearm to make it safer. I have researched and as far as I can tell my products are the first firearm accessories that increases safety while using the firearm. It only takes someone a split second to pull the trigger, but what about all of the other time that the firearm is being handled. This is the crucial period of any usage of a firearm.

You can contact Wayne Woolsey and read more about these important safety products at www.wayneswicked.com I would like to commend Mr. Woolsey for promoting products that help make gun use safer around children.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The United Health Study released a report that ranked Arkansas as 40th of the 50 States reviewed. While Arkansas did improve from its prior ranking of 44th last year and 50th from 10 years ago, health officials and advocates point out that there are still major health issues to address for the residents of Arkansas. Obesity, smoking, and chronic health problems are among the factors considered for the ranking. Arkansas is not alone in facing the mounting problem of obesity especially in children and teens. You can read more about Arkansas' ranking and other issues addressed in the report at Arkansas Ranks 40th in Health Report Among States.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Tragedies and deaths often times result in changes to laws to provide safety measures for children. In Arkansas, a law recently went into effect that raises the minimum age
An accident on Lake Hamilton two years ago led to a new Arkansas law that takes effect this week, setting the minimum age of 16 for a solo operator of a personal watercraft. The law is known as Rachel's bill which was enacted in memory of Rachel Rutherford. Rachel died in March 2007 at the age of 15 from injuries suffered in a jet ski accident. Children in the age range from 12 to 16 can operate a watercraft but only if they are riding with an operator who is 18 years of age or older. The law also requires all personal watercraft drivers to enroll in and complete a safe boating education course.

Hopefully, this law will reduce the number of serious personal injuries and deaths on Arkansas waterways. You can read more about this law at New Arkansas Law Raises Age Limit of Watercraft Operators.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The United States Department of Health and Human Resources has a website that has a great reference tool for parents and caregivers with children in day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers / child care centers through a state specific administrative code and / or policy manual. Go to State Administrative Rules and Policy Manuals for Child Care. Another good resource is located at the website for the National Resource Center for
Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. Parents should use these and other resources to educate themselves on the various state specific rules and regulations for day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers slightly differently. As such, parents should be informed on the regulations that apply to their children's day care center. Is the facility following the law? Are the state specific requirements for staffing being met? Are records being kept according to the state law? What information as a parent and caregiver am I entitled to regarding incidents and accidents? What disciplinary measures are allowed? What disciplinary actions are prohibited? These and many other issues are addressed in these day care rules and regulations. In addition, parents concerned about the care being received in a day care center / child care center can also consult with a child injury attorney / lawyer to find out if there is a viable case or claim to be pursued on behalf of a child who has been injured in a day care center as a result of day care negligence, abuse, or neglect.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A day care center in Arkansas mistakenly and negligently served children windshield wiper fluid during snack time. Apparently, a day care center work had placed the blue windshield wiper fluid in the day care center's refrigerator. Thereafter, the windshield wiper fluid was mistaken for a fruit juice or Kool Aid type of drink and then served to the children. The children ranged in ages from 2 to 7 years old. Doctors and toxicologist estimate that the children drank approximately one ounce of the fluid before realizing that it tasted wrong. The children were evaluated and treated at Arkansas Children's Hospital. One child had to be admitted after blood samples showed elevated levels of methanol which is a highly toxic kind of alcohol that can cause serious personal injuries including death, coma, and blindness. The Arkansas Department of Human Resources will conduct an investigation into this incident.

Day care center operators big and small have a duty to safeguard all toxic chemicals and household products. Since children do not appreciate the dangers of these chemicals and household products, they should be kept away from children in a day center. Certainly, toxic chemicals like windshield wiper fluid should not be served at snack time as drinks for the children. The children and their parents can pursue a legal action against the day care owner for the damages caused by the ingestion of the windshield wiper fluid which would include medical bills (past and future) and mental pain and suffering. In addition to safeguarding toxic chemicals, day care centers should ensure that toxic chemicals are properly labeled so to avoid incidents like this one in the future. You can read more about this story at Arkansas Mistakenly Gives Children Car Fluid to Drink - Children Are Hospitalized.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Winter storms create driving hazards for drivers across the United States including those in Arkansas. In Central Arkansas, freezing drizzle recently resulted in a traffic death and the closure of several school districts.

Lester Holmes, age 47, died from injuries received in a four-car accident in Jacksonville, Arkansas. State and local authorities will investigate the cause of the accident and the role that weather and road conditions played in causing the crash.

You can read about other automobile and trucking accidents that took place in Arkansas at Ice Storm Was Factor in Motorist Death in Jacksonville, Arkansas.