Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a division called the CDC Injury Center that has a goal or mission of educating parents, caregivers, and others as to the risks of injury to children. The information distributed by the CDC can be used to help prevent or reduce the incidents of serious personal injuries and death to children. In many instances, simple safety precautions and supervision will help better to protect children in the home and the community.
In Monterey, California, William Aguirre-Fajardo, age 24, has been arrested on charges of child abuse and other criminal charges involving the death of a 8 month old boy. Aguierre-Fajardo was arrested following a report from the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California to Monterey, California police investigators. Mr. Aquierre-Fajardo claims that the child fell. Investigators and medical providers believe that the child actually died from Shaken Baby Syndrome. The injuries according to preliminary investigation were inconsistent with Mr. Aguierre-Fajardo version of the incident leading to injuries to the child. Medical providers including emergency room nurses and doctors have a duty to report any child who is the suspected victim of child abuse and neglect. Medical providers do not need to be absolutely certain that there is abuse or neglect. You can read more about this story at 
In Onslow County, North Carolina, there were almost 200 juvenile arrests made for drug related charges according to the Onslow County (Jacksonville, North Carolina) Sheriff’s Office. In 2009, the arrests for drug related charges continue. Many law enforcement officials throughout the country attribute a rise in juvenile drug use and arrests to the availability of prescriptions drugs in the homes of the children. If children have access and there is limited supervision, prescription drugs are then available to the children to use, abuse, and sell. Parents, guardians, and caregivers should be diligent in safeguarding all prescription drugs in the home. Children do not understand the dangers of drugs and often times mix up drugs. In Onslow County School for the 2007-2008 school year, there were 70 incidents involving controlled substances.
Violence comes in many forms in today’s world. Children are affected by violence very day. Some suffer physical personal injuries from assaults, battery, sexual molestation, shootings, fights, and bullying. Others suffer psychological injuries or mental pain and suffering from acts of violence. Some children suffer both physical and psychological injuries from acts of violence whether the children are the actual victims or targets of the violence or just witness the violence.
In the February 2009, the flu has taken the young lives of two (2) teenagers from the State of Maryland. Although this flu season is not reportedly worse than others, infections are beginning to increase in Maryland and Virginia. March is expected to be the peak month.
The Virginia legislature has struck down a bill that would have required health insurers to pay for the cost of therapy for autistic children. Similar legislation has been enacted in Maryland and the District of Columbia.