Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Joshua Johnson and his grandmother were in the Golden, Colorado Wal-Mart parking lot when Joshua suddenly broke away from his grandmother and bent over to pick something up off the ground. Debra Debruyne was looking for a parking space and never saw the boy; she struck the child and then dragged him for ten feet before she realized what had happened. When she stopped, Joshua was wedged under her car and couldn’t get out.

Scott Martin, a full time firefighter and paramedic and his wife, Jennifer, heard a thud and a scream, and then rushed to the car with medical equipment and a radio. Five other bystanders lifted the car off of the boy so that Martin could crawl under it and bring the boy out. The child was not breathing, but Martin was able to straighten out his airway. He then held the boy immobile so that he couldn’t move and hurt himself further. Joshua is in critical condition at Children’s hospital. According to police, there is no way Ms. Debruyne could have seen the child, and they will not be filing and charges against her.

A busy parking lot is a very dangerous place for a child, especially during the holiday rush. Parents and drivers need to take the time to pay attention to their surroundings and proceed with caution. Read more details about this accident and the heroes who saved Joshua’s life at Bystanders lift car to rescue trapped 3-year-old.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

n Longmont, Colorado, a crash sent a truck into the front of a Blockbuster Store. Police investigators reported that a Dodge truck crashed into a Subaru Outback. The force of this impact put the Subaru into a curb, then into the Cubby's Coffee Shop, and finally into the Blockbuster Store. Police reported that Steven Williams (age 37) from Longmont, Colorado sped through the intersection prior to the crash. There were 5 people injured as a result of this crash including: Bruce Kline, Kline's wife, Kline's 17 year old daughter, Maricuz Gutierrez, and Steven Williams.

Crashes of this nature can cause chain reactions that at times can be deadly. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from Cubby's Coffee Shop or Blockbuster. Speed limits and traffic signals are in place for a reason - the safety of others. You can read more about this story at Vehicle Crashes into Blockbuster Store - 5 People Including Teen Suffer Personal Injuries.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A sixteen year old girl with no driver’s license and a borrowed car drove into a tree outside the Wagon Wheel Mobile Home Park in Alamosa, Colorado. She had three other teenagers and two small children, aged 20 months and 4 years, in the car with her at the time. The car had been borrowed from a relative of one of the passengers. The girl is expected to be charged with drunk driving (DUI), driving without a license and criminal negligence resulting in the injury of a child. The driver is claiming that a steering malfunction caused her to miss the turn she was trying to make into the park, and sent her into the tree instead.

Teen drinking and driving is unfortunately an all too common occurrence. Teenagers and adults alike often lack good judgment when drinking alcohol. Teenagers, however, are less likely to know their own limits and do stupid things while under the influence. There is no doubt that this young woman put her life and the lives of her passengers at risk by driving her car in such a condition. You can read more about this senseless accident at CHILDREN, TEEN INJURED IN ACCIDENT.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Be Good to People is a company and concept created by Kris Wittenberg who lives in Eagle, Colorado. What in the world is " Be Good to People"? It is a simple but clever reminder for people to do good things for others. As I understand it, it is kind of like the concept of Pay It Forward. Do good things just for the sake of doing good things. In our busy world around us, some times we forget about others and how important it is to do good for our friends, neighbors, colleagues, co-workers, acquaintances, and, yes, strangers. As noted on the Be Good to People website, "it's performing simple acts of kindness and recognizing others for their 'Good'." A portion of the profits from this company will be used to recognize others who are doing good. I recommend that you visit the Be Good to People website, Facebook, and Twitter to find out more about the message of this company. Go ahead and buy a T-Shirt or Mug and help spread the message. I am not a paid spokesman and do not stand to benefit by any sales to this company in any way. I just liked the message and wanted to help Be Good to People get the word out.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recent held a symposium in Denver. Statistics were reported at the symposium regarding child deaths from automobile accident. Statistics show that the number of deaths from automobile accidents of children (age 0 - 20) dropped by forty four percent between the years of 2003 and 2008. The event / symposium was held as part of a campaign of awareness and prevention by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

While these statistics show improvement, many children died and were injured in automobile accidents. A good number of these incidents resulted from the negligent driver of a person on Colorado roads. One death from negligence or distracted driving is one death too many. You can read more about the symposium at Colorado Statistics - Child and Teen Motor Vehicle Deaths Decline.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A medical study, conducted by a doctor at University of Colorado along with other colleagues, reports that children, who die from over the counter cough and cold medicines, are often times very young. Directions on boxes and containers of OTC (over the counter) medications are very important. It is also important to read the counter-indications for such medications. When administered appropriately, over the counter medications are typically safely consumed by the child with little to no side effects. The medical study study reported in the Annals of Emergency Medicine determined that deaths that take place typically involve children under the age of 2 years old. Cough and cold medications and products can cause severe reactions, injuries, and death from toxicity.

You can read more about this story at Young Children Most at Risk for Toxicity from Over the Counter Cough and Cold Medications.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Colorado and other states, just a few minutes or more of inattention can lead to serious child personal injuries and, in some instances, wrongful death. In Denver, Colorado, a 7 month old baby died while his father was taking out the trash. As a result of this incident, the Denver Colorado District Attorney's Office has charged the father (Thomas Ashley) with child abuse. Mr. Ashley was bathing his son but left his son in the water while he made a telephone call and took out the trash. Firefighters were called to the scene; however, their efforts were not enough to save this child from this most unfortunate and preventable death. Stories like this show the important of supervision of children especially around water including bathing time. Mr. Ashley could have taken the telephone call later and the garbage certainly could have waited. Parents - keep on task when bathing a child. As you can see, it is very dangerous to multi task when bathing a child. You can read this story at Colorado Child Dies from Drowning As Father Takes Out Trash.

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

Colorado lawmakers are considering changes to the State law regarding seat belts. In particular, Colorado law may be changed to include the failure to wear a seat belt as a primary offense. In other words, a driver could be pulled over by a police officer and issued a citation for failing to wear a seat belt. Current Colorado laws require that a driver commit another traffic offense before being cited for the failure to wear a seat belt.

Seat belts save lives and should become the habit of all drivers and passengers with or without tough seat belt laws for Colorado or for other States. You can read more about this issue at Lawmakers Make Another Try to Strengthen Colorado Seat Belt Laws.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Denver, Colorado, a mother, Danelle Daunchet, was arrested for child abuse for her nightly method of supervising and restraining her 10 year old daughter. Apparently, every night, Ms. Daunchet would zip tie her daughter's hands and have her sleep on her back. Each morning, Ms. Daunchet would release her daughter by cutting off the zip ties. The Department of Human Services took the girl into custody. The story reports that the child was restrained to keep her from "stealing" food at night. How can a child "steal food" from her own home? From her own mother? This is a very strange story and an improper way to parent and supervise a child. You can read more about this story at Denver Mother Arrested for Restraining Daughter at Night.