By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A Lake Champlain, Vermont ferry crashed into a dock and caused personal injuries to some of the passengers. Apparently, there were mechanical problems with the ferry that caused the engines to shut down. The Vermont State Police reported that some of the injuries were minor. Rescue squads were called the scene to assist with the situation.
By Benjamin A. Klopman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A Montgomery County, Maryland high school student (Thiago Andrade, age 17) died in an accident involving a 2003 Toyota Camry that split in half. The car was driven by Johvanny Garmendez, age 17, of Silver Spring, Maryland. The vehicle struck a tree after Johvanny drove off of Veirs Mill Road. The vehicle then went down a grassy hill, hit a tree, and then broke into two sections. Both teenagers were wearing seatbelts.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A trip to the Grand Canyon resulted in the death of 7 Chinese tourists who were passengers on a tour bus. While traveling on a highway near the Hoover Dam, the tour bus crashed which resulted in the death of 7 Chinese tourists and injuries to 10 or more other passengers. Authorities will investigate the crash to determine what caused the accident and if any actions could have avoided the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board will search and inspect the tour bus for clues, information, and details. The tour group from China had flown from Shanghai. During the visit to the United States, the Chinese tourists visited San Francisco and Las Vegas. The tour bus was heading to the Grand Canyon.
By Stephanie Brown and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The parents of a teenage girl filed a wrongful death lawsuit following the death of their 18 year old daughter. The girl was shot and killed by Huntington Beach police officers when they responded to a 911 call about a woman walking with a knife in a park. The girl had been partying the previous night and after getting into a fight with her mother, who she attacked with a knife and cut, left the house with the knife. The teenager was later seen at the park with the knife. When told by police to give up the knife, the girl refused and told that police that she was on drugs and to kill her. The girl began running toward the police with the knife and was shot 15 times by policy when she came within eight feet of the officers.
By Stephanie Brown and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Do You Know Who Your Children Are Chatting With (Online)? is an article posted on the Charlton County (Georgia) Herald Website. The article notes the increasing popularity of My Space, Facebook and other Websites and the dangers that the Internet poses to children. Folkston Georgia Police Chief Wesley Green has good advice for parents. Green thinks that parents should pay more attention to what their children / teens are doing on line. Chief Green advised parents to review the information that children post on the social networking Websites and elsewhere on the Internet. When a child puts his or her personal information on the Internet including their age, school, vehicles, likes and dislikes, and other personal information, it can put them at risks for sexual predators and offenders who prey on children.
By Stephanie F. Brown and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In an Eleventh Circuit United States Court of Appeals decision on January 23, 2009, the Court found that three Rockdale County (Georgia) High School football coaches were entitled to qualified immunity from a lawsuit alleging due process violations. The parents of Tyler Davis filed a lawsuit on behalf of their deceased son who died the morning after a voluntary workout session for the Rockdale County High School football team. The parents alleged that Tyler’s substantive due process rights were violated when the coaches failed to provide enough water to keep Tyler hydrated, ignored signs and Tyler’s complaints of becoming dehydrated, subjected Tyler to rigorous conditioning drills at the end of a two hour practice session, and failed to attend to Tyler until after a team meeting even though he had collapsed in the middle of the drills. The parents alleged that even though the workout was voluntary, Tyler was subject to further discipline from the coaches if he failed to perform all of the exercises and activities in the workout.
By Brooks P. Lynn, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Dallas, Texas, 14 people ranging from newborns to adults were admitted to a local hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning. It is believed that a faulty space heater was the cause of the carbon monoxide poisoning. All injury victims from the Dallas, Texas home appeared to be conscious when exiting the home.
By Steven Smith, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
New York day care and child care centers are regulated by the New York Office of Children and Family Services. Pursuant to Section 418-1.5, Safety of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR), child care centers must have railings from the floor or ground to prevent children from falling off of porches, stairs, and decks. In addition, child care centers must provide and maintain barriers to keep children out of and away from unsafe and dangerous area. In particular, a child care center must have barriers in place in areas where there is a swimming pool, drainage ditch, well, hole, wood / coal burning stove, fireplace, and gas heater.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Although statistics reflect that the percentage of uninsured motorists has decreased in Wisconsin and nationally in the past few years, there is a concern that recent economic problems may result in a rise in the number of uninsured motorists. In a recent study conducted and released by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), it estimated that nationally in 2007 approximately 13.8 % of motorists were uninsured. The study provided data, by state, as to the percentage of uninsured motorists, with the highest being New Mexico and Mississippi, at 29% and 28%, respectively, and the lowest being Massachusetts and Maine, at 1% and 4%, respectively. Wisconsin’s estimated percentage of uninsured motorists in 2007 was 15%, ranking it in the highest third of uninsured motorists in the nation. The study found a strong correlation between the percent of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate. To view the News Release, dated January 21, 2009, by the IRC, go to Study and Statistics as to Uninsured Motorists.
By Stephanie Brown and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Although it has been in effect since July 1, 2004, many parents are still unaware or unsure of what the requirements are of Georgia’s child passenger safety law, O.C.G.A. §40-8-76.1. The law applies to adults and children. With regard to children, however, the law imposes more stringent requirements.
