By Ryan E. Alekman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Daycare owner, Shannon Veradt, of Taunton, Massachusetts, was allegedly found passed out on the second floor of her home while the children she was supposed to be caring for were unattended downstairs. Her own mother had called the police because she believed her daughter was drunk and she was worried about the children. Ms. Veradt admitted that she had been drinking, saying she was stressed from her marriage. This day care owner showed “poor judgment” but is being allowed to reopen the daycare center.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled several styles of roman blinds and roller shades due to the possibility that they might pose a strangulation risk for children. No fatal incidents have been reported.
Consumer Watchdog has filed a lawsuit alleging that California state insurance regulators allow insurance companies to deny necessary treatment to autistic children in violation of state law. The lawsuit seeks to compel the California Department of Managed Health Care to order health plans in the state to cover applied behavioral analysis (ABA) for autistic children if it is deemed medically necessary and is appropriately administered. A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, James Chalfant, has ruled that the case may proceed to trial.
Diane Stephenson, a Pfizer researcher, has two nephews and a niece who suffer from Autism. Her colleague, Howie Mayer, has two children of his own with Autism. The two have worked together at Pfizer to create a research unit that focuses on curing the disease. Stephenson believes that recent advances in genetic studies of Autism have made this the opportune time to start the research unit. They were given permission to start the unit despite the fact that Pfizer has been downsizing of late.
In June of 2009, Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher-Price, were accused by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission of knowingly selling millions of children’s toys that were contaminated with lead paint, exposing children to lead poisoning. Mattel and Fisher-Price agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty.
Chesnee, South Carolina daycare operator, Gena Lynn Grigg, was arrested by officers of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office after police said she abused a child in her care. She has been charged with unlawful neglect of a helpless person.
While most students graduate at the age 18 and go on to higher education or into the work force, special needs children usually follow a different path. Stow-Monroe high school officials are hosting their first-ever “Transition Fair” for special needs students and their parents to discover what their options are after high school.