Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Kevin Leach, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In the United States, there has been a debate for years as to the parents right to inflict corporal punishment upon their child. Some parents use corporal punishment because that is the way the parent was raised. Other use it because there is a belief that corporal punishment shows authority and to some love. Yes, some believe that corporal punishment is an act of love that parents show to their children that the parents care. There can be a number of reasons that a parent inflict corporal punishment upon a child. Many safety child advocates believe that corporal punishment is just another mode of domestic violence. Children should not be subjected to injury or harm from corporal punishment. To many, corporal punishment is just a lazy, outdated, and barbaric way to discipline a child. A study conducted by Murray A. Straus (University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire) and Mallie J. Paschall (Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, California) indicates that there may be a link or association between corporal punishment / spanking and a child’s IQ.
A medical study estimates that burn injuries to children happen every 60 seconds in the United States. Approximately 300 children suffer burn injuries every day. 
In Fabens, Texas, a 2 year old child suffered serious burn injuries in the kitchen of his home. According to a story posted at the KDBC CBS 4 News website, the mother had placed a water on the stove for heating. Thereafter, the mother put the pot on the table as she was getting ready for work. Just a few moments of inattention resulted in injuries of a 2 year old who knocked the pot of water over. Deputies later arrived on the scene to find this child with serious burn injuries from the hot water.
In Wisconsin and other States, public funds are being paid to day care provider / child care providers who do not follow regulations and even misrepresent the number of children in the program as well as the services provided. Lawmakers in Wisconsin are seeking to hold these day care providers accountable as well as the government employees responsible for regulating or monitoring these day care facilities. You can read more about this issue at 
Philip Blake Putnam, 22, was charged with aggravated child abuse after his son was taken to the hospital with a broken arm. While the baby is still in the hospital and is showing signs of improvement, Putnam remains in jail. According the Lawrenceburg Police Chief, after arresting Putnam, he discovered that the man was wanted under several active arrest warrants for drug-related charges in another county.
The Georgia Supreme Court has found an Atlanta City Ordinance that prohibits erotic dancers between the ages of 18 and 21 from entering the premises of adult entertainment establishments unconstitutional. The plaintiffs in this lawsuit were young dancers between the ages of 18 and 21 who challenged the constitutionality of the statute. The dancers wanted to work as strippers at a long time Atlanta establishment, the Cheetah Lounge. Under the Atlanta ordinance, however, they could not enter the premises.
In Alabama, a mother was arrested for having her teenage child ride in a cardboard box on top of a van. The driver, Jackie Denise Knott, informed Albertville, Alabama police that she had a good reason for placing her teen on top of the van. The reason was that the driver needed someone to hold down a box. Here is a better idea for this driver: leave the box and avoid putting a child at risk for personal injuries. Several drivers had called in this dangerous situation to police.
The State of Massachusetts is imposing new requirements on day care providers including in home day care providers. Opponents argue that the regulations and restrictions put a heavy burden on small day care providers. Advocates of such regulations including the State of Massachusetts point out that the regulations help provide for and promote the safety and well being of children placed in day care centers throughout the State. The changes to Massachusetts law will take effect in January 2010. An article posted in the 
In Dolton, Illinois a special needs child was assaulted by a police officer, at a school. The police officer’s actions and abuse were captured on videotape. Apparently the police officer became upset when the special needs child, Marshawn Pitts,15, had his shirt untucked. The fact that this child’s shirt was untucked became the reason for this inexcusable assault on a brain damaged child is beyond comprehension.