By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Matthew Wayne Lightbody of Brick New Jersey, was caring for a nine month old girl in his home when the girl went into convulsions. Lightbody called 911 right away, but when emergency responders arrived they found the girl unresponsive and bruised all over her body.
By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
New Jersey Governor Jim Corzine is considering legislation that would help students with reading disabilities and difficulties with language skills. The legislation would create a reading disabilities task force designed to determine best practices for diagnosing and treating special needs students. The task force would also examine how current state laws and regulations affect theses students.
By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In New Jersey, child care centers and day care centers are regulated by the Department of Human Resources and the Child Care Licensing Laws. There are specific rules / regulations pertaining to activities provided by or at the day care center under the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. Chapter 10: 10:122-6.1).
By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In New Jersey, child care centers and day care centers are regulated by the Department of Human Resources and the Child Care Licensing Laws. There are specific rules / regulations pertaining to field trips and keeping track of children in and outside of the day care centers under the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. Chapter 10: 10:122-4.3.).
By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In New Jersey, child care centers and day care centers are regulated by the Department of Human Resource and the Child Care Licensing Laws. There are specific rules / regulations pertaining to injuries sustained by a child while under the care of the child care center / day care center under the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. Chapter 10: 10:122-7.6. In particular, a day care center is required to take immediate steps to protect a child from further harm and to contact the parents verbally when certain injuries take place in a child care center. Injuries that must be reported to the parent include:
By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In New Jersey, child care centers and day care centers are regulated by the Department of Human Resource and the Child Care Licensing Laws. There are specific rules / regulations pertaining to Discipline and Corporal Punishment under the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. Chapter 10: 10:122-6.6 and 10:122-6.7. In particular, a child care center is prohibited from punishing or disciplining a child for the failure to eat or sleep. In addition, a child shall not be punished for soiling himself / herself. Discipline can be used in a “positive” manner and that is “consistent with the age and developmental needs of the child”. Many child care providers and parents for that matter believe that corporal punishment in the form of spanking or hitting the child is the best and most effective way of teaching a child a lesson. Regardless of a parent’s or child care worker’s personal philosophy, the New Jersey Administrative Code prohibits child care staff workers from hitting, shaking or otherwise inflicting corporal punishment on a child enrolled in a licensed day care center. Furthermore, a child care worker cannot use abusive language or ridicule as a form a discipline or punishment either. You can read more about these and other regulations at Chapter 122 – Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers – State of New Jersey Department of Human Resources.
By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Gambling is legal in Atlantic City but not for those under the age of 21 which includes teens and young children. Two Atlantic City casinos were fined a total $85,000 for allowing underage gambling. Bally’s Atlantic City was caught with a 15 year old playing the Roulette Wheel. Caesars Atlantic City was also fined for having a 20 year old playing Blackjack. Some may argue that it is not a big deal to have a 15 to 20 year old play these games. However, child advocates would argue that gambling and casinos are not proper places for children. Many young people / children lack the maturity and responsibility that are necessary when engaging in potentially dangerous, harmful, and / or expensive activities like gambling, driving, and drinking alcohol. Any body who thinks that putting a bottle of alcohol into a 14 year old driver of a Corvette heading out to a casino may not be fit for any of these activities as well. You can read more about the casino fines at Atlantic City New Jersey Casinos Fined for Underage Gambling.
By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In New Jersey and other States, reports of fatalities from H1N1, commonly referred to as the Swine Flu, continue. Just recently, a 17 year old boy from South Jersey died from complications related to H1N1. The death was reported at the Asbury Press (New Jersey) Website. The boy was a student at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In East Orange, New Jersey, a father stashed or stored a bag of cocaine in his son’s clothing. The boy went to a day care center and thought that the cocaine was candy and gave it to three other children in the day care center. Since the boy was only four years old, there is certainly no wrong doing on the part of the boy who innocently believed that the cocaine was candy or food. Typically, day care centers do not search through a child’s pocket or back pack upon entry to the day care center. While this is not required, it may be a good practice to follow with the consent of the parents who enroll their children at the day care center. Children often times bring other objects into school like coins, small toys, and other items. Small children are at risk for poisoning and choking incidents. As such, all possible and practical safety measures should be utilized by the day care center as well as parents who send their children to the day care center. The father, who stored the cocaine in his son’s clothes, was not only negligent. He was also guilty of a crime for doing so. Of course, the father will be entitled to a defense on these charges. Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, this incident shows the dangers of children bringing drugs, poisons, and other items into day care centers that can harm or cause the choking of children. You can read more about this story at Child Consumes Cocaine at New Jersey Day Care Center.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Over this summer, there have been many reported deaths, injuries, and incidents involving children left in cars by parents, caregivers, and day care centers. The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers and the Department of Children and Families are partnering to promote a child safety awareness program of the dangers of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. The theme of the program is “Not Even for a Minute”. This is a great phrase to use and actually very practical advice. Be consistent and diligent with your children. Always supervise them and do not leave them alone in a vehicle. When unsupervised or unattended in a vehicle, a child can suffer injuries related to hyperthermia (extreme heat), hypothermia (extreme cold), strangulation (by seatbelts, power windows or other objects), choking (small objects including coins), and other injuries. You can read more about the New Jersey safety awareness program at New Jersey Automobile Retailer Group to Promote Child Safety Awareness.
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