Articles Posted in Georgia

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School-Bus-Safety-300x126In Georgia and other states, there is a daily weekday routine that all drivers should be well aware of – children crossing the street prior to loading a school bus OR after unloading from a school bus. Most buses are a bright yellow color with stop signal arms and flashing lights. Despite the obvious visual presence of a school bus, school bus zones, street signage, and traffic signals, there are still pedestrian accidents and school bus accidents that cause serious injuries to children. Tragically, some children die as a result of these incidents.

A recent accident in Georgia demonstrates the unfortunate reality of these tragedies. News reports indicate that one child died and another child sustained serious injuries when a car hit them as they crossed a road to board their school bus. It was reported that the car hit the two brothers because the driver attempted to pass their idling school bus even though the school bus had its stop signs out.  It was reported that the driver had a suspended license.

Unfortunately, incidents of this nature occur all too frequently. According to statistics released by Stanford Children’s Hospital, twenty-four percent of all school bus injuries occur when students enter or exit a school bus. Additionally, the ten-foot radius around a school bus constitutes a “danger zone.” In the danger zone, children are two times more likely to die than they are likely to die in a traffic accident on the school bus. Thus, it is more dangerous for a child to be near a school bus than it is for them to ride a school bus. See Stanford Children’s Hospital – How Safe Is School Bus Travel. 

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By David A. Wolf

Child Injury Lawyer Blog
cal-0814-cl5-funpark11During most visits to a theme park or amusement park, the days and nights are filled with fun, laughter, time with family and friends, cotton candy, and just plain old fashioned fun.  Unfortunately, for some children or adults, a visit to a theme park or amusement park can end with a serious incident / accident causing personal injuries.  Amusement parks and theme parks advertise to and welcome adults and children alike to the rides, grounds, and attractions.  As such, it is vital that all rides and attractions are probably assembled, up to date on inspections, and operated by trained and conscientious ride attendants.  If a ride is not properly secured or latched, some terrible personal injuries can result.   Furthermore, if one bolt or piece of tract is out of place or out of repair – then other similar mishaps can take place leading to serious personal injuries.  Like other cases involving personal injuries, there are four essential elements to pursue a case or claim for personal injuries taking place at a theme park or amusement park as follows:
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By David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Blog

Child Care Note Or Message As Reminder For Kids Daycare

In Georgia and other states, day care centers provide working parents with an ability to fulfill work responsibilities and place their children in an environment that is supposedly safe and operated by trained staff members.  When caring for infants, toddlers, and small children, there are risks of injury with everyday activities of daily living like feeding time, play time, and, yes, even nap or sleep time. A high chair can pose a risk of injury to a child if the child is not properly strapped in AND supervised in a consistent manner by the day care center staff.

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By David Wolf, Attorney

medical_2008015232-1113int.epsIn Georgia and other States, children are the unfortunate victims of pedestrian accidents involving an impaired driver.  Whether the driver is impaired by alcohol, drug use, or a combination of the two, children especially child pedestrians are put at risk for serious personal injuries and harm.  When there is a pedestrian personal injury matter involving an impaired driver, there can be one or more legal matters that result and proceed:  1. Administrative; 2. Criminal; and 3 Civil.
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 By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Day Care Center VanWhen a day care center, summer camp, or school transports small children, it is important that the child care providers make sure that all children exit the vehicle.  This is quite a simple but an important statement or rule to follow.  Unfortunately, some day care center employees get distracted OR simply do not perform the required tasks of the job.  As a result, children are at times left behind on day care center vans and buses.   In the swelter of a hot summer month, just a few minutes can spell the difference between life and death.   Certainly, a child’s rights are violated if the child is left unatttended on a school bus or day care center van for any length of time.  As a Child Injury Lawyer, I am often asked the following question:
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By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

education%20school%20day%20care%20building%20block%20y.jpgIn Georgia and other States, a day care center has some basic responsibilities including the duty to keep a child out of harm’s way. In any given day care center whether in a commercial type of facility or a home based day care center, there are many dangers. Some are obvious and some are not so obvious. Dangers that could result in personal injuries to a child include: firearms, drugs, poisons, sharp objects, pools, lakes, bathtubs, hot water, household cleaners and chemicals, ropes including jump ropes (risks of strangulation), and many other dangers. A day care center and its staff should use their best efforts to keep these dangerous items out of the reach of children. Furthermore, it is vital that consistent and adequate supervision be provided to children enrolled in the day care center. While a day care center is not necessarily legally responsible for all injuries occurring at the day care center, a day care center is liable when the injuries were foreseeable to some extent and preventable with reasonable and necessary safety precautions and proper supervision. Certainly, any injury intentionally inflicted by a staff member can be actionable as a legal claim or case.

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By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

education%20school%20day%20care%20building%20block%20y.jpgIn Georgia and other States, children are enrolled in day care centers. On most days, the children are properly supervised in a safe learning environment. Unfortunately, on some days, children suffer injuries at a day care center. Some are foreseeable and preventable while others are not. A Child Injury Lawyer can be contacted to review the particular facts and circumstances to determine if the day care center has liability or legal responsibility for the injuries suffered by the child enrolled in the day care center. A Child Injury Lawyer will review the particular facts and circumstances.

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By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

gun%20handgun%20with%20two%20bullets.jpgIn Georgia and other States, gun ownership is common and prevalent throughout communities large and small. There are rights to gun ownership that were set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Yes, there is a right to gun ownership but there are also responsibilities especially as they pertain to the safety and well being of children. Ron Scroggy is the Director of the Department Human Resources – Division of Family & Children Services in the State of Georgia. Mr. Scroggy published an article which was posted at the WTVM – Channel 9 website with some helpful tips and recommendations as to gun safety. See Gun Safety Tips and the Dangers of Guns to Children.

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By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

school%20education%20day%20care%20yellow%20school%20bus%20full%20view%20with%20big%20mirrors.jpgIn Georgia and other States, children are the unfortunate victims of automobile accidents, trucking accidents, and bus accidents. When a child dies, it has a ripple effect throughout the family, school, Church and related institutions, and the community. When a child dies as a passenger in a vehicle, the fault of the accident (if any) typically falls on one or more drivers. There are a myriad of issues for parents to deal with following an accident. Since it is an emotional nightmare for a parent to deal with these issues, it is vital that the parents of the deceased child get the emotional and financial support during these troubling times. It is interesting but tragic to note that there is no term in the English language to designate a parent who loses a child due to a tragedy. This is especially true when the child is a minor and has yet to live her or her full life or potential. When a man loses his wife, he is a widower. A woman who loses a husband is referred to a widow. A child who loses both parents can be called an orphan. Despite the existence of these terms and many other words in the English language, there is no such term for a parent who loses a child. It is somewhat unnatural and indescribable for those who have endured or suffered though such a loss or tragedy.

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By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Medications%20Overdose%20Dangers.jpgIn Georgia and other States, there is a common danger present in most homes, schools, day care centers, and summer camps. The danger is the presence and access of children to medications and poisons located in or near the summer camp, school, home, or day care center. Because children are curious and often times do not recognize the dangers of medications or poisons, it is vital that homeowners, teachers, counselors, and child care providers properly store and lock up all medications and poisons that may be present at the home or facility. Otherwise, a child may end up suffering serious personal injuries or, in some instances, death.

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