By Steven Smith, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In New York and other States, the teenage years are often filled with good times and fun. The teenage years are also filled with pressure, stress, a transition from childhood to young adulthood, and the demands of everyday life. Even those teens who appear to have everything in place can be the ones at risk for stress, depression, and in some instances suicide. In New York, a 17 year old (Alexis Pilkington) ended her own life. She was a soccer star at the West Islip High School and was credited with helping her team win the Long Island Soccer Championship last year. She was well liked and a great soccer player. She also had some issues that she went to therapy for. Tragically, Alexis ended her own life despite the love and support of family, friends, and the community. Hopefully, Alexis will be remembered for her smile, her love of family, and her great soccer abilities. The death of Alexis should be a life lesson and teaching tool of sorts for others. Suicide is a real risk for many teenagers even those who appear to be “on the ball” or great kicking the ball. You can read more about this story at 17 Year Old Star Soccer Player Ends Her Life.
Accidental injuries to children can be avoided in many instances. Statistically, accidents are the leading cause of children between the ages of three and eight years old. In addition to deaths, accidents are among the leading causes of permanent physical impairment, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and other serious injuries.
In Kansas and other States, parents must be diligent in selecting a day care center. When considering a day care center, parents should inspect the facility and find out information regarding government inspections and compliance with Kansas day care regulations. A new Kansas Senate bill would require that all home day care centers have an inspection. The proposed law would get rid of the designation “registered home day care center”. Under the prior system, “Registered home day care centers” were not subjected to an initial inspection or follow up inspection. According to some lawmakers, the designation of “registered day care center” gave many parents a false sense of security. You can read more about the Kansas Senate bill to provide better regulation and inspection of all Kansas home based day care centers at 
A seven year old girl and her mother were leaving the soccer fields at Bear Creek Park, Texas, late one recent evening. As they made their way back to their car, the child ran into the road and was struck by a passing SUV. According to the girl’s mother, the automobile appeared to be a silver Isuzu Trooper or Mitsubishi Montero.
A teenage boy from Atlanta, Georgia recently broke up with his girlfriend by sending her, her mother, and her sisters nude images of himself via cell phone text message. According to Cecily Hill, the Republican State Representative for Kingsland, Georgia, the boy could not be charged with any specific crime; that has led Kingsland to introduce legislation that would make so-called “sexting” – sending nude images over cell phone text messaging systems – illegal. It represents an update to a current law that prohibits transmitting obscene images of minors on floppy disks, CDs, or computer bulletin boards.
Many parents dread the first day of summer almost as much as their children look forward to it. What to do with antsy kids for three months over the summer? Now is the time to start thinking about summer camp. The good ones fill up their rosters quickly. The following are some tips for narrowing down your choices.
Both spring break and summer are just around the corner, so now is a great time for parents and children to refresh their water safety skills. Planning ahead can make a day at the beach, pool or water park fun and relaxing for everyone.
A startling statistic is that death rates are twice as high in homes without working fire alarms. SAFE Kids USA reports that over one hundred thousand kids are hurt every year in the US in fire and burn incidents. These incidents are also the the third leading cause of death for children under fourteen years old. In sixty six percent of the cases where a child was injured or died from a residential fire, the fire alarms either weren’t working or were simply never installed. Remarkably, statistics show that a working fire alarm reduces your chances of dying in a fire by fifty percent.
Douglas Cronberger of rural Norene, Tennessee thought he heard a prowler enter his home during the night. He got up to check it out, bringing his .380 caliber handgun with him. He thought the gun was unloaded. After checking the house and not finding anyone, he set the gun on the end table in the living room and forgot about it, then later went back to bed.
Diane M. McKinley, of Renovo, Pennsylvania, was driving her Honda Civic down Route 2005 with Mildred L. Barnhard of Lock Haven Pennsylvania in the passenger seat and a five year old child in the back seat. When Ms. McKinley stopped at the intersection of Route 2005 and Route 2022 in Covington, Pennsylvania to make a left hand turn, the car was struck from behind by an International tanker truck. The truck was driven by Barry K. Smith.