Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Four year old Dakylie Hamilton and his three year old sister Desean Hamilton were given a battery powered plastic toy all terrain vehicle (ATV) for Christmas this year. According to the Wills Point Police Chief, the two children were not being supervised by an adult when the toy plunged into a creek near their home. They were pulled from the water but were not responsive and could not be revived. The children’s single mother was at work when the accident took place, and the children were supposed to be under the care of their grandmother. Texas Child Protective Services have been alerted, as there are other children living in the home. While the investigation is still underway, police are calling this a tragic accident.
In Trempealeau County, Wisconsin near Galesville, a 7 year old (Tristan Decker) recently sustained serious personal injuries after he was hit by a pick up truck. The incident happened as Tristan was playing off the side of the road in sand. It was reported that Tristan may have been partially in the roadway. When investigating incidents of this nature, it is important to know the following:
A large wave fueled by Hurricane Bill swept three people from the rocks at Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine on Sunday, August 23, 2009. The Coast Guard pulled a 7-year old New York City girl, her father, and a 12-year old Belfast, Maine girl from the water. The 7-year old had no vital signs and could not be resuscitated. Both the man and the 12-year old girl are hospitalized, the man with a heart condition and the girl with a broken leg. Nine others also were hospitalized, mostly with broken bones from being slammed into the rocks. Officials did not release names of the victims. You may read more of the story at http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/117347.html.
Many families with pet dogs install doggie doors to allow easy access for dogs to go in and out of a house or patio area. Doggie doors are very convenient. Doggie doors can also be dangerous in that small children / toddlers get out of house through the doggie door. Once out of the house, small children / toddlers have been known to suffer serious personal injuries and death from pools, ponds, and other dangers outside of the house. In August 2006, Matthew Ranfone got out of a doggie door from his Orlando home and was found floating face down in the family pool. He died later from drowning related injuries. Carol Ranone, Matthew’s mother, has launched a website to get the word out about the dangers of pet doors / doggie doors and small children at 
Day care centers in North Carolina and other states provide children with recreational activities like swimming especially during summer months. Children love to play in and around water. Young children often times do not appreciate the dangers of water. Furthermore, young children lack judgment as to their swimming abilities or lack of swimming abilities. As such, North Carolina has set forth specific staffing requirements for staff ratios when children participate in aquatic activities which include boating, swimming, and visits to water parks. North Carolina day care centers are required to have the following staff ratios in place for aquatic activities:
In Tennessee and other states, swimming pools can pose a serious risks of serious injury and death to children who do not appreciate or understand the risks associated with swimming pools. Pools that do not have secure gates, barriers, and / or lifeguards pose a particularly high risk of danger. This is especially true when evaluating pools at apartment complexes, condominiums, resorts, hotels, motels, summer camps, and other areas.