Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Articles Posted in Medical Care & Health Issues
Should a Parent Take a Child to an Emergency Room Following an Automobile Accident?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
When a child is an unfortunate victim of an automobile accident, a paent is often faced with many challenges and issues. One such issue is a choice or decision as to medical care right after the accident. Should a child be taken to an emergency room following an automobile accident? This can be a complex question. The answer to which depends on the facts and circumstances of the case and the severity of the injuries. From a legal standpoint in most States, there is no requirement that a child be seen by an emergency room on the day of the accident or soon thereafter. From a medical standpoint, the analysis is quite different and should be left to the evaluation of the parents, the pediatrician, the urgent care center, fire rescue, and or a combination of one or more of these caregivers. When a child is injured as a result of an automobile accident, a parent should assess the situation and make his or her best decision. Of course, a parent should be cautious and take the child to a medical provider which may include an emerency room if there is any doubt in the parent’s mind as to the condition of the child and the need for medical treatment following the automobile accident. If there is any doubt or concern about the child’s condition, immediate action should be taken from a medical standpoint to make sure that the child is stabilized and appropriate testing is ordered or performed. Thereafter, follow up care, testing, and treatment can be arranged by the parent with medical providers.
Are Children and Teens with Cerebral Palsy in Pain? New Study Estimates that 1 in 4 Children are in Pain.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Children and teens, who have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, fill a wide spectrum. In other words, some children are very functional and attend regular school, communicate well, and even play sports. On the other end of the spectrum are children who are non-communicative and require 24 / 7 care. Then, there are those children with Cerebral Palsy who are between these points on the wide spectrum. For those children with CP who have problems communicating, it may be difficult for parents, caregivers, and medical providers to know or determine if the child is experiencing pain or the extent of pain suffered by the child. A new study conducted in part by Melanie Penner at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Cananda, estimated that 1 in 4 children with Cerebral Palsy struggle with pain that ranges from moderate to severe to the point that it limits the activities of the child.
Proving the Cause of Death of a Child – Factors to Consider – Missouri Newborn Dies After Consuming Formula
By Joseph R. Hillebrand Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Missouri and other States, the loss or death of a child is a parent’s worst nightmare. The stress and trauma from the child’s death is often times exasperated when the cause is unknown. It is event worse if an investigation later reveals that the death could have been prevented. When a child dies from unknown causes, an autopsy is typically performed to determine the cause, manner, and, yes, the preventability of the death of the child. While an autopsy will do nothing to bring back the child, the results of an autopsy can provide a family with needed answers in their time of grief. Furthermore, autopsy investigations and results can result in actions that end up protecting other children from similar deaths or personal injuries. Proving the causation of a child’s death can be an extremely complicated medical and legal matter. Because of this, it is helpful to have the the advice, consultation, and representation of a Child Injury Lawyer on these matters.
Medical Care For a Child Injury – Urgent Care, Emergency Room or Pediatrician
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Las Vegas, Nevada and other cities, urgent care centers have opened as an alterative to traditional emergency rooms. Urgent care centers may be a good alternative to a local emergency room depending in the injury or condition involved, the needs of the patient, and the experience / skills of the staff at the urgent care center. Children should not be viewed as little adults or smaller adults because the medical needs of children can be much different than the medical needs of adults. Because of this, some medical providers advise parents to have a child seen by a pediatric doctor (when possible and available) following a child injury or for evaluation of a child illness. In Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Sun reported that a pediatric urgent care center is serving the need of children in the area in need of its services. See All-Night Pediatric Clinic Offers Parents Alternative to the Emergency Room.
USA Today Reports Results from Bullying Survey
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
USA Today recently reported results from a survey on bullying. The media attention devoted to the issue of bullying has resulted, at least in part, from reports of teens committing suicide following incidents or time periods of bullying by peers. Many such instances involve the ridicule of a student for his or her sexual orientation. For instance, Justin Aaberg from Minnesota hanged himself in his bedroom. It was reported that Justin was the frequently bullied or ridiculed for his sexual orientation. It is a shame that children as well as adults engage in bullying activities that are only meant to tear someone down. The results as you can see can be deadly and can forever change the lives of family members left behind in the wake of the bullying acts. You can read the results from the bullying survey at USA Today Survey – Most Teens Admit to Hitting Someone in Anger and Other Statistics.
What Is Brachial Plexus Injuries to Children? What Are The Legal Rights of My Injured Child?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Brachial Plexus injury is a medical term used to describe an injury to the brachial plexus nerves in the shoulders. Brachial plexus is also known as the Erb’s Point. A brachial plexus injury is generally caused to an infant during pregnancy. Occasionally, during a pregnancy, the infant’s shoulders will be caught behind the mother’s pelvis, causing a medical emergency known as dystocia. When this occurs, a doctor needs to dislodge the shoulders and may rely on the use of forceps to pull the head of the infant. This maneuvering attempt can lead to brachial plexus injuries. These injuries range from minor, healing in 3-4 months, to severe, causing paralysis in the arm and shoulder of the infant. Also, some children born with a Brachial Plexus injury can suffer from Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy or Brachial palsy.
Symptoms of Brachial Plexus injury:
– forearms are turned in and wrists are bent
– limp arm, unable to be raised by he infant
– droopy eyelid on the side of the injury, known as Horner’s Syndrome.
If you would like to read more on this topic see Brachial Plexus Injuries.
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Richmond, Virginia Officials Investigate School Bus Incident – Child Left on School Bus
By Kevin Leach, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Virginia and other states, the summer heat poses a particularly dangerous risk to children. A child left unattended in a vehicle is at risk for serious personal injuries including death from hyperthermia, heat stroke, and other causes. Parents, day care providers, teachers, bus drivers, and others should never leave a child unattended on a vehicle for any period of time. Children lack safety awareness. This is especially true for elementary school and day care children. Schools, day care centers, and summer camps should have a policy / procedure, checklist, and a check / balance system to make sure that no children is left unattended or alone in a school bus, van, or other vehicle. Setting policies and following policies will save lives. Taking shortcuts or relying on pure memory and attention can lead to serious personal injuries to children. In Richmond, Virginia, officials are investigating an incident in which a five year child was forgotten or left on the a bus. The student was supposed to be taken to Summer Hill Elementary School. It was reported that the driver as a substitute driver who failed to or forgot to check the bus when it was parked. This was a policy in place for the school district. It is great to have policies. It is also important to train drivers on these policies and for the policies to be followed. You can read more about this story at Richmond Prosecutors and Police Investigate School Bus Incident.
British Boy Has Rare Aging Disorder – 11 Years Old but Racked with Pain Associated with Aging Symptoms
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Harry Crowther, is an 11 year old British boy, that has an aging disorder called Atypical Progeria Syndrome. According to news report, he is in the only person at the current time in the world with this disorder. Even though this aging disorder has caused him ongoing pain, discomfort and stiffness that is common with old age, Harry is doing his best to play like other 11 year old boys. He likes climbing trees and riding skateboards. It appears that this child has a lot of heart and courage despite the stress and pain associated with this disorder. You can read more about this remarkable young man at Boy, 11, Ages Five Times Faster than Friends.
Simple But Important Advice – Never Shake a Baby – Dangers and Injuries Caused by Shaken Baby Syndrome
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Parents, caregivers, day care providers, teachers, babysitters, siblings, and other should pay attention to some simple but important advice – NEVER EVER SHAKEN A BABY. Babies and infants are very fragile. There brains and skulls are still developing. A person would not typically throw a television or glass to the floor. As such, why shake a baby? A television or glass can be replaced. A baby’s brain function, health, and welfare are not as easily fixed or replaced. Severe medical complications can and do result from Shaken Baby Syndrome. You can read more about this topic at Never, Never Shake a Baby. See also Shaken Baby Syndrome – Texas Man Alleged to Have Caused Injuries to Child.