Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Thomas J. Duff, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Iowa Supreme Court recently handed down a decision that ruled that child injury waiver forms are not enforceable. The case involved a release form used for field trips in the Mid Prairie and Keota School Districts. The ruling makes sense as the use of these documents is really against the public policy. While a school is not liable for every single injury or unforeseeable event that takes place, a school or teacher should not be able to hide behind a blanket waiver form when there is an injury that was caused by negligence or inappropriate supervision. No form or document should give a school district or any other institution that cares for or educates children a free reign to cause injury without any consequences. You can read more about this story at Iowa Supreme Court Rules that Liability Waivers Are Unenforceable.
In Davenport, Iowa, two month old (Chase Kloppenberg) was taken off of life support at Iowa City Hospital according to Sergeant Frankie Wilson with the Davenport Police Department. Brian M. Fix, the mother’s boyfriend, has been charged with the crime of child endangerment causing serious injury. In criminal of this nature, the extent of the criminal charges could be amended in light of the fact that the child died.
In Coon Rapid, Iowa, a 16 year of boy (Casey Daniel Stork) died in an accident. Casey was the passenger in a Ford Escape SUV driven by another 16 year old – Daniel Kult. News report indicate that Daniel Kult was trying to pass another vehicle when he lost control of the vehicle, entered a ditch, and then rolled over several times before coming to a stop in the yard of a residence.
As summer approaches, more and more children will be attending outdoor activities under the supervision of schools and child care providers. Parents and guardians are routinely required to sign permission slips before a child is allowed to go on a field trip to an amusement park or the local swimming pool. Does a permission slip signed by a parent make the school or child care provider not responsible for accidents and injuries?
The United States Department of Health and Human Resources has a website that has a great reference tool for parents and caregivers with children in day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers / child care centers through a state specific administrative code and / or policy manual. Go to 
In Iowa and Other States, teenagers are taking steroids to try to get one step up on the competition in sports, body building and other pursuits. Medical studies have shown that steroids can have serious long term medical effects on teenagers and adults as well. In Gilbertville / Mason City, Todd Gerleman was arrested for giving his teenage son steroids. According to news reports, it was the father’s idea and plan to provide his son with steroids to get his son more interested in sports.
Parents, Allen and Nichole Hansen, are mourning the deaths of four of their children who recently died in a house fire. Abigal Ziel (age 14), Megan Hansen (age 7), Tyler Hansen (age 8), and Haylee Hansen (age 3) all died in the fire in the Town of Greeley, Iowa. Their older teenage brother and another family escaped the fire.
KCCI Des Moines Iowa TV Station did an excellent study and program on distracted drivers. Distracted driving can result from common everyday activities that do not exactly combine well with the physical and mental requirements of operating a motor vehicle. While driving, many people eat, sing, talk, read, check e mail, text, and multi-task. Motor vehicles in many states are referred to as “dangerous instrumentalities” since a minor mistake or a second or two of inattention can lead to serious adult and child injuries and, in some instance, death.