Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Children are transported every day on roads in New York, Pennsylvania, and other States. Two moms have a mission of getting the word out about C.H.A.D. (Children Have an IDentity) stickers which are “hot pink” stickers that can be placed on a baby seats, toddler seats, and even strollers for proper identification of children in case of an automobile accident or other medical problems by the driver or caregiver of the children in the vehicle. It is vital for children to be able to maintain their identity when transported to a hospital. The stickers also can contain vital information as to the child’s health status, medical condition, medications, and allergy information. By providing telephone numbers on the C.H.A.D. sticker, another parent, caregiver, or contact person can be telephoned for more information and to let that person know the status and location of the child. You can read more about the C.H.A.D. stickers at Assisting Kid’s Emergency Aid with Stickers.
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.
In Medfield, Massachusetts, an elderly driver hit two children when the driver was pulling out of a church parking lot. The children (approximately 2 years old and 5 years old) were crossing the crosswalk with their grandmother according to police. The 2 year old suffered facial trauma but the injuries were not reported to be life threatening. The driver was reported as 83 years old. You can read this story at 
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a child died while under the care of Wanda’s Kids World (day care center / child care center). It has been reported that Wanda’s Kids World had a liability insurance policy in effect with Colony Insurance. Recently, Colony Insurance filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to determine its obligations (if any) for the injuries / death by the child who was left unattended in a day care center van. It is position of Colony Insurance that no coverage would apply under this particular insurance policy since the incident involved a vehicle (van) which is (according to Colony) excluded under the policy. In Louisiana and other States, an insurance policy is a contract between the insurer (Colony Insurance) and the insured (Wanda’s Kids World). The contract (insurance policy) must be read to determine coverage under the policy. Attorneys are skilled in reading contracts and insurance policies to determine applicable coverage. The review of the insurance policy may require a review of applicable Statutes, Code provisions, insurance regulations, and Court rulings. In this case, Colony Insurance is seeking a court order to hopes that the Court will rule that Colony has no duty to pay or provide coverage for the wrongful death of the child who was left unattended in the vehicle.
Sheriff Bobby Guidroz of St Landry Parish, Louisiana has good advice for parents: Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle – not even for a minute. This summer, there have been several deaths in Louisiana and throughout the United States involving children who have been left in hot cars / vans that have caused serious personal injuries and deaths. Some incidents have involved parents and some have involved schools and day care centers. Injuries of this nature (hyperthermia) are completely avoidable with better supervision and due care on the the part of the parent, caregiver, teacher, counselor, and / or bus driver.