Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In California and other States, there is a danger present in most homes, schools, day care centers, and other facilities where children are cared for or supervised. The danger is quite common but not something that is so obvious to many parents and child care givers. The danger is associated with televisions and unsecured furniture. These items can fall and over tip over on a child. Sometimes, an incident happens when a child or another person bumps into, moves, or climbs on or near the television or unsecured bookcase or other furniture item. The weight of these items falling on a small child can cause serious personal injuries and, in some instances, the tragic death of a child.
The State of Georgia Department of Human Services issued a report that over 100 children died in Georgia during the first 9 months of 2012. These children were in families that some point in time received services from Georgia’s child protection agency. The report noted that an unsafe sleeping condition was a common factor in a number of these deaths. Unsafe sleeping conditions include co-sleeping in which an infant, toddler or small child is injured while sleeping in the same bed or couch with an adult or other children. Unsafe sleeping conditions can also include the placement of pillows, stuffed animals, and other items in the crib of an infant. These common items can lead to incidents of suffocation and asphyxiation. You can read more about these and other risks to children at 
In homes, day care centers, schools, businesses, hotels, homes, and other locations, there is a common risk to children. As odd as it may sound, the common risk is that of falling furniture. This includes tables, televisions, dressers, and other common items. Unfortunately, these objects and others fall on children on a far too frequent basis. As a result thereof, children suffer serious personal injuries. In some instances, the children even dies as a result of the falling furniture incident. Because of these risks, it is important for owners of day care centers, schools, businesses, hotels, and, yes, homes, to properly secure furniture to prevent the furniture from falling on a child. This is especially true for television sets including older model televisions as well as the newer ones that hang on walls.
Trampolines are common in most every community. Many commercial play areas also have trampolines for use by children. While trampolines can provide great fun and a form of exercise for children, trampolines are also well known hazards and risks to children as well. This is especially true for young children who play on trampolines. The American Academy of Pediatrics reported that there were approximately 100,000 trampoline related personal injuries reported in 2009. The American Academy of Pediatrics has taken the position that recreational trampoline use by children is just plain dangerous. Many parents do not recognize the dangers of trampoline use until there is a serious personal injury that grabs the attention of the parents.
In most every home with a baby or infant, you will find baby bottles, sippy cups, and / or pacifiers While there are many benefits to these products, there can also be dangers which result in injuries to babies and infants. Nationwide Children’s Hospital conducted a study of ER visits between 1991 and 2010. It was reported that over 45,000 children under the age of 3 years old were treated in Emergency Rooms for accidents / injuries related to these common baby / infant products. The most common body parts / regions injured included the head, face, neck, and mouth. Many children were injured by these products during a fall while the child was walking or running with the product in his or her mouth at the time of the incident. Parents should consult their pediatrician as to recommendations for use or limitations as to pacifiers. This goes the same for bottles and sippy cups. For more information, see 
In California and other States, parties for children are frequently hosted at a home. What are the duties of a homeowner when hosting a party for children? While a homeowner is not responsible for every single injury that takes place regardless of cause, a homeowner, who hosts a party, has a duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for children and other guests at the party. When hosting a party, there are risks of injury to children and guests. The risks are increased when there is alcohol or even drugs being used at or prior to the party. The risks are also increased when the number of guests or people at the party exceeds a number of what would be safe or manageable for the party being hosted. A party host may be legally liable for personal injuries suffered by a child or guests depending the facts and circumstances of the injury and the applicable State law. It is often helpful to consult with a 
The U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Organization) released a report titled “Trouble in Toyland) that warns parents, school, day care providers, and others as to the dangerous of certain toys out on the market this holiday season. Toys can pose a risk to children due to choking hazards and / or toxic components like lead. It is important for parents to be on the the look out for these reports and other reports and warnings from organizations like the 
In houses, apartments, condomiums, and hotels, there is a danger to children – the bathtub. It is a common part of most homes and hotels and it also presents a danger that can cause serious personal injuries and, in some cases, deaths. Two common injuries that take place in the bathtub are: drowning injuries and burn related injuries. In Mojave, California, it was reported that an 8 month old child suffered scalding related injuries and burns. The child was later treated at Antelope Valley Hospital. See 
In Brunswick, Georgia, the family and friends of Walter J. Copeland, III (age 7) as well as the community are still in the midst of dealing with the untimely and tragic death of this child as a result of a drowning at a Brunswick Georgia apartment complex swimming pool. Further details were released about the incident. Walter and his siblings did not reside at the apartment complex but were visiting a 15 year family friend at the time of the incident. The teenager had left the pool area briefly and when she returned she found Walter on the bottom of the pool. Certainly, there was no intent or malice involved in such an incident. Autopsy results are pending. See 