Articles Posted in Louisiana

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By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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In Terrytown, Louisiana, it was reported that a car crashed into a private elementary school. Six children suffered personal injuries. One of those children was reported to have suffered critical injuries. The school is located just outside of New Orleans. Fire Rescue was called to the scene to remove the children from the rubble. The sheriff’s office reported that the driver was a mother who was dropping off her child at the Stepping Stones Montessori School. The driver / mother thought she had stepped on the brake but stepped on the accelerator instead and crashed into the school. There have been other incidents reported in other States of similar crashes. In just a matter of seconds – lives can changed due to negligent driving. When driving near schools, please exercise the utmost of caution. You can read more about this story at Car Crashes into Louisiana School; 6 Children Hurt

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By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney, Roy S. Dickinson, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

life%20jackets.jpgTwo Louisiana families suffered a major tragedy after teens from both families drowned. The seven teenagers were playing in the shallow waters of the Red River when one teen stepped of the slippery ledge and plummeted into much deeper waters. The other teens tried to save the boy, but they too were overpowered by the water and taken into the deeper water. The onlooking relatives, who could also not swim, desparately screamed for help as they watched their teens vanish and drown.

Published on:

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

U.S.%20State%20Map%20Louisiana.jpgIn Slidell, Louisiana, a man was arrested and charged with the death of a 22 month old girl. As reported in the WWLTV News, the St. Tammany Sheriff’s office believes that Rubie Boland was shaken and assaulted by her babysitter at the time – Andrew Roberts (age 20).

Published on:

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney, and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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Hazing incidents continue to be reported in Louisiana and other States across the nation. Unfortunately, high school and college students in clubs, organizations, fraternities, and even marching bands feel a need to inflict physical harm and / or humiliation as pre-requisites to get initiated or get membership in the group. It was recently reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that a student is suing Southern University located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana over a hazing incident that took place off campus. Southern University will argue that the incident took place off campus and that the University did not sponsor or have knowledge about the incident. The attorney for the victim may argue that there was a lack of supervision by the University and that the University knew or should have had knowledge of past incidents of hazing yet took no action to intervene. It is by no means an easy case to pursue on behalf of the victim. It will be interesting to see how the court case turns out and what information is obtained through the court case.

Published on:

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Insurance%20contract%20documents%20liability%20stacked%20papers.jpgIn Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a child died while under the care of Wanda’s Kids World (day care center / child care center). It has been reported that Wanda’s Kids World had a liability insurance policy in effect with Colony Insurance. Recently, Colony Insurance filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to determine its obligations (if any) for the injuries / death by the child who was left unattended in a day care center van. It is position of Colony Insurance that no coverage would apply under this particular insurance policy since the incident involved a vehicle (van) which is (according to Colony) excluded under the policy. In Louisiana and other States, an insurance policy is a contract between the insurer (Colony Insurance) and the insured (Wanda’s Kids World). The contract (insurance policy) must be read to determine coverage under the policy. Attorneys are skilled in reading contracts and insurance policies to determine applicable coverage. The review of the insurance policy may require a review of applicable Statutes, Code provisions, insurance regulations, and Court rulings. In this case, Colony Insurance is seeking a court order to hopes that the Court will rule that Colony has no duty to pay or provide coverage for the wrongful death of the child who was left unattended in the vehicle.

Published on:

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

State%20Map%20Louisiana.jpgSheriff Bobby Guidroz of St Landry Parish, Louisiana has good advice for parents: Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle – not even for a minute. This summer, there have been several deaths in Louisiana and throughout the United States involving children who have been left in hot cars / vans that have caused serious personal injuries and deaths. Some incidents have involved parents and some have involved schools and day care centers. Injuries of this nature (hyperthermia) are completely avoidable with better supervision and due care on the the part of the parent, caregiver, teacher, counselor, and / or bus driver.

Published on:

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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A day care center in Baton Rouge Louisiana was recently shot down by the State of Louisiana Department of Social Services. Damiyn McElveen, a 3 year old enrolled in the day care center, was found dead inside the day care center’s van this past week. Investigators believe that the toddler was mistakenly left in the van on a hot summer day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. An full investigation will be conducted as to the circumstances and staff members responsible for the incident. In hot summer months, it is especially dangerous to leave any child unattended in a vehicle. Regulations and procedures were not followed. Otherwise, Damiyn McElveen would not have died in the day care center’s van. You can read more about this story at Baton Rouge Louisiana Day Care Center is Shut Down by the State of Louisiana.

Published on:

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

State%20Map%20Louisiana.jpgIn New Orleans, Louisiana and other cities, guns are dangerous when placed in the hands of a young child or accessible to a young child. Of course, many gun enthusiasts believe that guns and children go together as long as their is training and supervision. Training and supervision combined with good judgment are all vital to gun safety and the prevention of gun related personal injuries and wrongful deaths. In New Orleans, Louisiana, a 20 year old man (Adrian Kelly) was accidentally shot when he attempted to take a gun away from a 4 year old boy. Details from news reports were vague. I would be interested to know the following:

Published on:

By David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

1054389_swimming_pool_.jpgA near drowning incident of a 2 year old (Jessica Wheat) in an apartment complex pool in Lake Charles, Louisiana shows the importance of safety precautions and measures for swimming pools that can be accessed by children. There was a four foot fence around the pool at the Wilshire Apartments which was undergoing renovation. In fact, the pool had been closed for about 1 year. Unfortunately, someone had removed some of the fence near the locked gate. This, in turn, had given access to Jessica to get into the pool.

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