Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Kickball is a popular elementary and sometimes middle school game that has been around for years. Typically, the game is played without incident or injury. Unfortunately, children are injured playing kickball and other schoolyard games. A school district can be held liable or responsible for the injuries if the game is not safely organized or if there is improper or inadequate supervision that leads to injury. It is the responsibility of the physical education coach, teacher, and or aide to make sure that playing fields are safe, free from hazards like above ground sprinklers, exposed rocks or fences, holes in the ground, or a grossly uneven playing surface. If a child suffers an injury as a result of negligence, a child can then pursue a case or claim against the school district. Of course, the laws of each State differ. Furthermore, each school district has its own rules and regulations that should be reviewed to determine compliance with the same.
In Minnesota and other States, there is a consistent problem with DUI incidents. Tragically, many DUI incidents cause serious personal injuries and even death of innocent people and children. In every DUI incident, there is a danger or risk to any children who is in the vehicle or near the vehicle as it is being driven. Parents especially should consider the best interests of the child when getting behind the wheel. The safety of the child should always take precedence over the convenience or selfishness of the parent especially when it comes to drinking and driving. In West Hennepin, Minnesota, a mother was arrested after a complaint was called in about her driving to the West Hennepin Public Safety Department for poor driving. When police attempted to stop or pull over the driver (Monica Say – age 29) – she refused and kept on driving another 4 to 5 miles. Along this dangerous drive, the chase and / or Ms. Say’s driving almost caused other automobile accidents. It was later determined that Ms. Say’s blood alcohol level (BAC) was .17 which amounted to in excess of two times the legal limit in Minnesota. Ms. Say was transporting two children during this dangerous drive who were 4 years old and 2 years old. The news report also stated that Ms. Say was in possession of marijuana and an open bottle of rum in a diaper bag. Ms. Say was arrested at the scene by the police. You can read more about this story at 
Interstate 35 is a busy highway connecting the Twin Cities to northern points of Minnesota. Eric Sprouse, age 19, lost control of his pick-up truck and swerved into oncoming traffic while travelling northbound on Interstate 35. The driver and a young child in the other car were both killed and pronounced dead at the scene. Sprouse suffered life threatening injuries and was taken to a local trauma center by helicopter. His passenger also suffered injuries and was hospitalized.
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