By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
One of the best experience for a child enrolled in a day care center, school, or summer camp is the field trip. It certainly can be an adventure for the day to get out to a different location and have fun with friends. Common destinations for field trips include: swimming pools, beaches, amusement parks, theme parks, movie theaters, historic sites, and other locations. Typically, a field trip is a great experience for a child.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
What is one basic duty of every day care center in the nation? Simply stated, it is the act of “roll call”. It is amazing how simple of a task roll call can be; however, it is more amazing how many times that roll calls are not completed or done haphazardly. This can be espeically troublesome during field trips and any time that a child is transported by the day care center or a transportation company.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
As a Child Injury Lawyers, we are often asked the following question: Does corporal punishment have a place in day care centers? The simple answer to this question is No. Most States prohibit any form of mental or physical corporal punishment in day care centers. In other words, there are specific laws and / or administrative code proceedings that prohibit this kind of conduct in day care centers. While some parents believe in corporal punishment and would acquiesce if a day care center implemented some forms of corporal punishment, it is typically prohibited. Of course, each State has its own rules, laws, and regulations. As such, the applicable provisions should be reviewed, considered, and enforced when there is an issue, concern, or report of corporal punishment taking place in a day care center. Often times, corporal punishment in a day care center is implemented without any concern or thought as to the physical or psychological impact of the child. Furthermore, many acts of corporal punishment are implemented without the knowledge or consent of the parents. In many instances, the implementation of corporal punishment is an indication of the immaturity of the care givers as well as their lack of training and supervision.
By David Wolf, Attorney and Kurt Sigmund, Legal Assistant
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Florida and other States, iconic yellow school buses can be seen virtually year round on Florida streets, highways, and neighborhoods. At times, the presence and operation of a school bus can slow down traffic and possibly even make you late for work. When you see a yellow school bus on the roadway, keep in mind that the buses transport our community’s most important resource – our children. As such, slow down and drive cautious when you see a yellow school bus.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Children, being transported on school buses, should be safe and well supervised. At times, children suffer personal injuries while being transported on school bus. Some are injured as a result of a school bus accident that is the fault of the school bus driver, another driver, or both drivers. In addition to traffic accidents, children are, at times, injured as a result of being assaulted on a school bus by another student, an aide, and, yes, even the driver. School bus video surveillance is a helpful tool in determining and investigating the course of events that take place on a school bus. It certainly is not an easy job to drive or work as an aide on a school bus. However difficult it is, the school bus driver, aides, and employees need to have patience with children, who will at times misbehave and be otherwise defiant.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
When a parent sends a child off to school on a school bus, it is the expectation of the parent that the child will be transported safely to and from school. Unfortunately, school bus accidents result from the negligent driving of the school bus driver, other drivers, or the combination of the two. Since school buses are on the roads of most communities year round, it is vital that school bus safety is given a top priority by school bus drivers and other driving in the area of a school bus. This is especially true at bus stops and school zones. One basic safety tip to keep in mind is the following: SLOW DOWN. While this is very basic and simple advice, it is something to keep in mind any time somebody is driving near a school bus, school bus stop, or school zone. When a child is injured as a result of a school bus accident, here are the potential sources of payment of medical bills and / or compensation for the injuries sustained by the child:
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In schools throughout the nation, children should be supervised in a safe learning environment. The amount and type of supervision will depend on the number of factors including the following:
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Texas and other States, school bus drivers and day care center van drivers have a duty to drive in a safe manner, to obey posted speed limits and traffic control devices, to supervise the children being transported, and to make sure that children are removed from the bus after arrival at school or the intended destination. It is a relatively simple act to remove children from the bus after arrival at the school, day care center, or intended destination. The school bus driver / day care center van driver should do a visual inspection and then walk through the entire van or bus checking each seat and row for children.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Maryland and other States, acts of bullying have been caught or recorded on videotape, iPhones, Droids, videocameras, and surveillance video. Some bullies know that there brutal acts are being recorded and some do not. Some bullies even post their exploits to Facebook, You Tube, and other Websites for the whole world to see. It is unfortunate that bullying is still common in schools, day care centers, camps, sports teams, and elsewhere. Over the past few years, there appears to be more of an awareness of bullying and the passage of policies, procedures, regulations, and laws against bullying; however, bullying persists and comes in many forms including those that cause serious physical injuries and / or serious emotional harm. When a parent obtains videotape proof of bullying or a confirmed Incident Report of bullying, the parent is then faced with the issue of whether or not to puruse a claim or case seeking compensation for the harm caused by the acts of bullying. This is not an easy decision especially if the child victim is still enrolled in the school, day care center, camp, or other facility / location where the bullying acts took place. Furthermore, it is also complicated if the bully and the child victim continue to attend the same school or facility.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Texas and other States, children, at times, suffer injuries as a result of the negligent and / or intentional acts of teachers, aides, child care providers, and others in schools and day care centers. Children should be cared for and educated in a learning environment that is geared towards the best interest of the children. Acts involving hitting, punching, pushing, shoving, or corporal punishment really have no place in schools and day care centers. While corporal punishment is still allowed in some schools and jurisdictions, it is often over used and / or excessive to the point that it causes physical injuries to the child or injuries that require medical care.
Child Injury Lawyer Blog