Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A toddler enrolled in an Indiana day care center suffered serious personal injuries when an automobile crashed through the day care center. Two robbery suspects were being pursued by the police in a high speed chase that ended with the robbery suspects crashing into Stepping Stones Child Care. Police believe that the suspects robbed a nearby Family Dollar store. Three other children were also injured as a result of this crash.

This story shows how the lives of innocent children can be affected by careless, reckless, and illegal action. You can read more about this story at Crash into Indiana Day Care Center Results in Serious Injuries to Toddler.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Concussions in high school sports are being scrutinized that recent studies have revealed a high incidence of brain injury and trauma in professional sports like the National Football League. When a high school athlete like a football player suffers a concussion, the best interest of the child / student should be paramount to all other concerns namely competition / winning a game. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette recently posted a good article regarding concussion in high school sports - Concussions No Longer on the Sidelines. If you have a child active in sports, this would be a good article to read to see what approaches and recommendations are being made when a high school athlete suffers a concussion.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Phillip Gross was driving an ATV on Maier Road, South of Mount Vernon, Indiana with two children, aged 9 and 12, as passengers. Gross reportedly hit a dog, causing the ATV to rollover, trapping Gross and the 9-year old under the vehicle. According to deputies of the Posey County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office, the boy died shortly after being transported to Saint Mary’s Hospital by Life Flight. Gross and the twelve-year-old girl were treated and the girl has been released.

ATVs are open motorized vehicles that can flip over, causing serious injuries or death to children and adults alike. Adults should take care when driving ATVs and make sure that they and their passengers observe safety precautions such as wearing safety helmets. You can find out more about this ATV Accident at Child killed in ATV accident.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Indiana and other States, crimes are considered enhanced crimes or more serious crimes when committed near a school and / or day care center. In Lafayette, Indiana, a man was recently arrested for dealing drugs within 1000 feet from a day care center. Further investigation by police officials uncovered a drug operation involving the growing of marijuana and the selling of LSD. In addition, police officials found several guns. The safety of children were certainly at risks when drugs are being sold nearby. Drug sales lead to other criminal activity including but not limited to assault, battery, shooting, and other violent crimes. Fortunately, this story was not about the tragic shooting death of a child caught in a drug dispute shooting; nevertheless, the criminal activity should be punished since crimes were committed and children were put at risks You can read more about this story at Man Arrested for Dealing Drugs Near Indiana Day Care Center.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Gary, Indiana, a woman admitted that she was reckless in causing serious burn injuries to a child. Lashonda Sheree Brassfield, age 28, was caring for a 2 year old girl in a home. The girl was left unattended in a bathtub where she suffered 3rd degree burns to her legs.

This story shows the importance of due diligence and supervision when small children are in a bathtub. Inattention can lead to serious injuries since small children do not understand the dangers of water which include scolding related injuries and drowning related injuries. You can read about this story at Indiana Woman Admits to Recklessness - Bath Tub Burn Injuries to 2 Year Old Girl.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Indiana and other States, parents, caregivers, teachers, bus drivers, and others are placing children in car seats that are improperly installed and / or used. Some experts estimate that nearly 90 % of car safety seats are misused in some manner. I recently read a good article about the use of car safety seats for children. Anyone transporting a small child should read this article - Car Seats Are Misued. and take safety measures to make sure that car seats are properly installed and used for children. Inspection following injuries in an automobile accident is sometimes too late for some children.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Indiana and other States, foreclosed homes are increasing in number every day. Some foreclosed homes have swimming pools. During and after the foreclosure process, swimming pools often times are not properly maintained or secured by those owning and / or controlling the property whether it is the foreclosed upon owners, banks, or mortgage companies. Children see swimming pools, whether or not the pools are maintained, supervised, or secured, as places of adventures. Unfortunately, children do not recognize the dangers of pools and suffer personal injuries and deaths when they use pools with no supervision. In Avon, Indiana, Sheyenne Jenkins, a 5 year old daughter of Secrena Erwin, wandered into a neighborhood pool and drowned. The home and pool were abandoned. Unfortunately, the pool was still filled with water. While the pool had a cover, neither the cover nor the pool were properly maintained or secured to keep young children from wandering into the pool area and the pool itself. Sheyenne fell into the pool and drowned. The tragic events leading to Sheyenne Jenkins' death shows the dangers of swimming pools of foreclosed or abandoned homes. Banks, mortgage companies, and investors in control of abandoned homes have a duty to secure the area and maintain barriers and fencing according to applicable State and local laws. You can read more about this story at Foreclosed Homes (Swimming Pools) Are Dangerous to Children.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Indiana and other States, law enforcement officers arrest people every day for dealing drugs and for other illegal activities. Drug dealing can often times lead to violence and negligence that leads to the harm of innocent third parties including children. That is why it is important for law enforcement and communities to keep drug dealing away from schools and day care centers. In Richmond, Indiana, law enforcement officers arrested three people suspected of drug dealing within 1000 feet of a day care center. All three criminal defendants sold drugs to the same undercover agent. Members of the Wayne County Drug Task Force and Police Department should be commended for their efforts to enforce the law and keep areas in and around day care centers safer. You can read about this story at Three People Facing Criminal Charges for Drug Dealing Near Richmond, Indiana Day Care Center.

July 4th celebrations are typically filled with celebration, picnic, and fireworks. Some celebrations around the Nation were also filled with fear and injuries. In Merrillville, Indiana, a wooden pedestrian bridge collapsed following a fireworks demonstration. It was reported that at least 16 people were taken to the hospital. It was unknown according to early reports how many were injured in the bridge collapse. Dozens of people were thrown into Hidden Lake as a result of the collapse. You can read more about this story and see photographs of the collapsed bridge at Dozens of Spectators Plummet into Hidden Lake (Indiana) Following Fireworks Display.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Parents in Indiana and other states should be very careful as to who they trust to babysit their children. In Veedersburg, Indiana, a couple (Stephen Quick and Samantha Light) were recently arrested and charged with serious crimes of child molestation and child exploitation. Police reported that the couple operated a baby sitting service out of their home and videotaped various sex acts with the children over a period of many months. The videotapes themselves will be very powerful pieces of evidence for the criminal trial should the case proceed to trial. This story should serve as a good learning lesson for all parents. Reserach and check out the people babysitting your children. If Stephen Quick and Samantha Light had no prior criminal record - then it may have been difficult to predict their actions. In addition to criminal history and record, it would be helpful to know if a family home day care or babysitting service is licensed or registered with the State of Indiana. If the allegations are true and proven, the criminal sentence should include prolonged prison time and subsequent probation that prohibits this couple from caring for or being around children where the children would be at risks from these sexual predators. You can read more about this story at Couple Arrested in Indiana for Sexual Exploitation and Child Molestation.

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

Children should respect their elders; however, no child should be physically harmed or beaten especially those under the age of 2. In Indianapolis, Indiana, Tayaun Chism (an 18 year old man) beat his girlfriend's 14 month old toddler - Lilliana Goodman. Why did Mr. Chism beat this child? He beat the child because she allegedly disrespected Mr. Chism. The alleged act of disrespect was that the child was not eating her food as directed. What is the punishment for not eating food as directed? Mr. Chism took a belt to her for more than 1 hour. These heinous acts of abuse put the child in critical condition. The child is being treated at St. Vincent's Hospital.

Mr. Chism should have checked his pride at the door and thought more about the best interest of the child. In addition, Mr. Chism should have recognized that the beating of the 14 month old was a crime. Mr. Chism was arrested on charges of
child abuse.

You can read more about this story at Indianapolis, Indiana Man Arrested for Child Abuse for Beating of Toddler Who Disrespected Him.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Special needs children / students need to have proper supervision and patience from teachers in Indiana and other States. In Lafayette, Indiana, a special need middle school teacher was fired by the school board for duct taping a student's mouth shut. This truly is no way to discipline a child or make a point. It is corporal punishment - plain and simple. Pamela Dahnke, the middle school teacher, was a health and nutrition teacher. One would think that she would realize the psychological and social ramifications of such acts in Indiana.

Special needs children in schools should be give guidance, attention and supervision. They should not be subject to psychological or physical injuries inflicted by teachers, school staff, or other children. You can read more about this story at Indiana Middle School Teacher Dismissed for Duct Taping Student's Mouth Shut.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Getting drunk can literally kill a child. In Indianapolis, Indiana, a mother was sentenced to 15 years of prison for suffocating her child. Police reported that Latasha McMorris (age 25) was found lying on top of 2 year old (Sheldon Bartley, Jr.) after she had passed out in a motel room in Indianapolis, Indiana. Officer reported that bottles of gin and vodka were found in the motel room. McMorris' boyfriend had called 911 about the incident.

Parents, caregivers, teachers, and day care workers should not drink while providing care or supervision of a child. Young children, especially those 2 and under, need diligent supervision to make sure that the child does not harm himself or herself. Sheldon Bartley, Jr. was unable to protect himself or understand the dangers of being near an intoxicated person. It is a sad ending to a life and a very poor example of parenting.

You can read more about this story at Mom Gets 15 Years for Suffocation Death of Indianapolis, Indiana Toddler.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A Delaware County, Indiana mother (Sherri Feuston) was recently charged with neglect of a dependent, battery, and confinement. Prior to sending her 9 year old son to work, Feuston held down her down and scratched the b----- word on her son's forehead. After showing up at school for derogatory graffiti on his forehead, Selma Elementary School officials contacted the police. When questioned by authorities, Feuston admitted to the incident but stated that it was just a joke. This "so called joke" got Feuston arrested and subjected her to the criminal charges.

Parents, caregivers, teachers, day care workers, and others responsible for the supervision of children should protect and look after the safety, welfare, and well being of children. Feuston's conduct seemed to be that of an immature teenager than a mother who is supposed to protect her child. You can read more about this story and see a photo of the child's forehead at Indiana Mom Scratches Derogatory Word on Son's Forehead and Then Sends Him to School.