Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In South Dakota and other States, it is quite tragic that incidents of Shaken Baby Syndrome continue to be reported. The simple and violent act of shaking a baby can result in serious brain damage and even death. Never - ever shake a baby for any reason. Whether it is done in fun, in anger or for discipline, a child's brain and skull cannot withstand the force of an adult shaking the child. In Eagle Butte, South Dakota, it was reported by the Rapid City Journal that Nicholas Allan Rivers, age 30, pleaded guilty to criminal charges of assault resulting in bodily injury. The incident causing serious child personal injuries took place on May 4, 2009.

The safety and well being of a child under the care of a parent, friend, neighbor, teacher, or day care provider should take precedence over all other matters. Keep children safe and it should be repeated - never - ever shake a child.

By Scott Soutullo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is recommending that three states (South Dakota, Florida, and Alabama) enact or pass legislation to require booster seats for children through the age of seven. According to the NHTSA, the 47 other states have enacted such child booster seat legislation. The push to pass legislation comes at the same time period as National Child Passenger Safety Week which runs from September 12 through September 18. The South Dakota legislature previously passed a law that was ultimately vetoed by the governor in 2007. Child safety advocates argue that booster seats lower or decrease the risk of injury to children who are involved in automobile accidents. The NHTSA takes the position that the legislation should apply to children through the age of seven. Passing legislation that sets the upper age limit at an age younger than seven puts children at risks according to some safety experts.

By Sara J. Powell, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Children ages from 5 to 8 would benefit from having a booster seat law in place for every State according to a federal safety board. Only Arizona, South Dakota, and Florida do not require booster seats for children for children from ages 5 through 8 years old. According to a study conducted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the use of booster seats lowers the risk of injury by 59 percent as compared to children of this age group who used regular safety / seat belts alone. You can read more about this story and in particular efforts in Arizona to change the current law at Booster Seat Law Recommended in Florida, Arizona, and South Dakota.

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 cold front went through the Upper Mid West including States like North Dakota and South Dakota. Many schools were closed in the Dakotas as well as other States like Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri. The temperature in Grand Forks, Dakota dropped to a record low of 37 degrees below zero which beat the prior record set in 1979 according to the National Weather Service.

Icy, snowy, and weather conditions like these make for dangerous roads for drivers and passengers. Schools and business shut down because roads are not drivable or are just too dangerous for safe travel. You can read more about these frigid weather conditions at Shock Cold Waves Shocks Upper Middle West - Schools Close Down.