Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Five people were arrested in a Vermont home that operated as day care center. Police seized cocaine and marijuana plants from the home operated day care. The day care center’s operator, Kelly Vitagliano, was arrested. Vitagliano was ordered to appear in court to answer criminal charges of cocaine possession. The other four people involved with this incident face charges of drug possession and drug sale. Police affidavits detail a three month investigation that led to the seizure of the cocaine and marijuana plants. Vitagliano’s day care license has been suspended. The day care center supervised at least four children.
Lithium batteries power small electronics and toys. Unfortunately, there is a risk of choking on these Lithium batteries by small children. Lithium batteries are often referred to as “button batteries”. Lithium button batteries or small coin sized batteries can be found in toys, electronic equipment, and household items.
A 21-month-old girl was in critical condition on Friday, May 21 after being trapped in a rolled-up car window. However, she is expected to make a full recovery. The toddler’s Mother apparently left the girl and her 3-year-old brother alone in the vehicle while she went into a home. A neighbor observed that the the toddler was trapped and immediately performed CPR on her. It is uncertain how long these two minors were left unattended in the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.
Fun in the sun might not always be the accurate description for summer. Take for instance the recent tragic drowning of a man while vacationing with his family in Galveston, Texas over Memorial Day Weekend. After their boat capsized during a fishing trip, three members of the family, all of whom were wearing life jackets, survived but the father, who was not wearing a life jacket, was found floating nearby and eventually pronounced dead at the hospital.
A 14-year-old Minnesota boy suffered the loss / amputation of his right right testicle after being injured in a playground game called “Sack Tapping.” Sack Tapping, where a unsuspecting male is punched in the groin area, is becoming increasingly popular in all schools: elementary, junior high and high school.
Dog bites can cause serious personal injuries to children and, in some instances, the tragic wrongful death of a child. These incidents can even take place at home with a family dog with no history of aggressiveness or dog bites. In Indianapolis, Indiana, a 9 year old girl suffered serious personal injuries as a result of being mauled / bitten by a Pit Bull breed dog. As the girl was letting the dog outside, the Pit Bull breed dog jumped on her and bit her around the neck while violently wrestling her to the floor. The child sustained serious personal injuries to her neck and trachea. After the vicious attack, the Pit Bull breed dog was quarantined at a local animal hospital.
Children often times are injured in their very own backyards as well as the backyards of neighbors and friends. Homeowners and parents can take safety measures to reduce the number of hazards and risks to children playing in the backyard. Child safety should be a priority.
Playgrounds are a great place for kids to be active and spend time with families and friends. Unfortunately, some playgrounds are the sites of serious personal injuries and tragedy. Some incidents are pure accidents that could not be expected or prevented while other incidents were preventable with good supervision and proper maintenance of the playground. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 200,000 children suffer injuries from hazards in playground every year. Many children are treated in hospital emergency rooms. Some injuries are serious enough to require surgery and an extended hospital admission. There are some basic steps and safety precautions that can be taken by and for children on playgrounds that can help prevent or reduce the incidents of child personal injuries including the following: