Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Archive for June, 2010

Pediatricians try to ensure child safety.  But a new study states pediatricians admittedly misdiagnose a child once or twice a month.

Common mistaken diagnoses include the following, some of which include medication side effects:

• Whether a child has a viral illness or a bacterial infection
• Ear infections
• Psychiatric disorders
• Appendicitis
• Asthma

 Researchers surveyed more than 700 pediatricians and trainees in gathering their data.  A total of 77% of pediatrician trainees were found to have at least one or two wrong diagnosis during the course of a month.  Almost half of the participants in the study claimed that once or twice a year their mistakes were significant enough to cause a child harm.  Previous research shows the 32% of pediatric medical malpractice claims are due to diagnostic error. 

Medical mistakes such as these can lead to tragedy.  In Minnesota, a jury awarded more than $1.25 million dollars to a family whose toddler died after not being diagnosed with an infected appendix.  Instead the 21-month-old was diagnosed with gastroenteritis.  The family claimed that the boy was misdiagnosed on two separate occasions over the course of four days, including the day prior to his death.  Unfortunately the doctor did not order an ultrasound or CT scan of the child’s abdomen, even after the child cried loudest during that part of the examination.  Evidence was presented at the trial showing the pediatrician scheduled appointments in 10-minute increments.  The family claimed that was proof that he did not allow enough time for each patient.    

 So what are the answers?  In the study, pediatricians generally cited blame in not gathering information through patient medical history reports, as well as examinations and chart reviews.  Parents were also at fault.  A lax attitude in keeping up to date appointments, as well as following along with needed lab work and recommendations led to misdiagnoses too.  The research will be published in the July issue of Pediatrics.

 Physicians in the study admit there are remedies to the errors.  More follow-up with patients, increasing the amount of time spent with patients, as well as a commitment towards implementing better systems, processes and communication among health-care team members would go a long way in improving patient care.

Child Injury Lawyer in Clearwater Florida, working to make safety every child’s reality.

 The Wall Street Journal recently published an article which examined a new study on vaccinations and children.  Due to child health and safety concerns, children today are receiving twice as many vaccinations as they did twenty-five years ago. 

Although some parents are requesting alternative immunization schedules because they fear that their children are being exposed to too many vaccinations, the study indicates there are no advantages in delaying the vaccines, only disadvantages.

 Two years ago in Minnesota during a shortage of the Haemophilus influenza Type B vaccine, which babies receive at the ages of 2, 4 and 6 months, five cases of illnesses were reported.  In one instance a child died because they could not ward off the disease.  In three of the cases, the babies hadn’t received the Hib vaccine, and the other two babies hadn’t been fully vaccinated.

 Recommended vaccines are designed to prevent infection with 14 diseases.  Babies can receive up to 26 vaccines in their first year of life, a doubling since the mid-1980s.  

The topic of childhood vaccines  is discussed  in Chapter 4 of  Clearwater Florida Child Injury Lawyer Jim Dodson’s newly released consumer guide, “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries: A Parent’s Guide to Child Injury in Florida.”  

Request your FREE copy  of  “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries”  by clicking here  or email your book request to judi@jwdodsonlaw.com

Thousands of deaths and injuries occur each year as the result of children playing with fire.   More often than not, preschoolers and kindergarten age boys and girls are responsible for fire accidents, primarily because they have played with matches and lighters.  Sadly they are most likely to die from burn injuries.

 Children & Fire:  Facts & Figures

In 2006 children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500 structural fires

• 63% of all fire-related playing fatalities are children 5 and under
• Matches and lighters are involved in 80% of deaths and injuries started by children while playing

 Just last week a Tampa family was forced to leave their house due to a fire started by their 8-year-old child while his mother was away.  The boy who had been playing with matches set fire to a mattress that had been leaning against the house.  The fire erupted through the wood framed house and spread to the attic.  The damages were said to be worth $75,000.  The flames were so intense that the vinyl siding on a neighbor’s house was melted.  Fortunately, there were no injuries. 

Although this fire appears to have occurred outside of the home, the National Fire Protection Association states that people have nearly a 50% better chance of surviving a residential fire if their home has the recommended number of smoke alarms. Click on the link for additional safety tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association.

Clearwater Florida Child Burn Injury lawyer, working to make safety every child’s reality.

Fire and burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental death in childlren ages 1-18. Over 100 children a day are treated in emergency rooms for kitchen and scald burns alone.  Aside from the pain and suffering young burn victims must endure, the emotional and psychological trauma is often devastating.

The Children’s Burn Camp of Florida, in Umatilla  offers a safe haven for burn injured children to go for fun, friendship and a chance to see that they are not alone. It is the first statewide burn camp of its kind. Held at the Florida Elk’s Youth Camp, the second weekend in November, the camp is a wonderful opportunity for children who have suffered severe burn injuries to share their feelings.  CBF pays 100% of the expenses for children between the ages of 6-17 to attend the camp- including transporting, lodging, feeding and entertaining. The only restrictions are that the children be one year post burn and be comfortable being away from family members.

For more information  about this wonderful camp supported by volunteers and operated on private and corporate donations – with no paid staff, visit their website @ www.childrensburnfoundationoffl.com

Florida Child Burn Injury Lawyer in Clearwater, working to make safety every child’s reality.

It’s easy to like stories like this one.  At All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, a 12-year-old boy was expecting and hoping to have some “battle wounds” for his gallbladder operation.  Instead he has none…and his parents are happy.    

 The young boy had his gallbladder removed as surgeons there used the single incision laparoscopy technique.  Surgeons Nicole Chandler, MD and Paul Danielson, MD made a single incision through his belly button.  Through the small incision, tiny surgical instruments were utilized as well as a miniaturized video camera.

 He was the first patient at All Children’s Hospital to use the technique.  The Dodson Law Firm salutes physicians dedicated to superior patient care throughout the state of Florida.  Our Florida Child Injury law firm is  working to make safety every child’s reality. If you find you are need of a Florida child injury lawyer, please call our office, toll free at (888) 340-0840 for a free case review of your injury claim today.

The “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” opened today at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, in Orlando. 

 Universal invested $200 million dollars into this project and attendance is expected to swell dramatically past the 12,700 guests that Islands of Adventure attracts daily.  In fact, the park opened their parking garage at 5:30am, three and a half hours before the theme park opens. 

 Taking this all into consideration, what are some of the precautions parents should take to ensure your child’s safety?  Here are 5 quick tips:

 Keep children away from areas that are not for public access

       Make sure your children never enter a restricted area in a theme park

 Understand the limits and restrictions placed on certain park rides

       Read an attraction’s boarding restrictions before you let your child get in line

 Keep children safely seated on all amusement park rides

       Stay in your seat; keep your hands on the grab bar & your feet and knees inside

 Alert staff if a  problem arises

       Keep a watchful eye out if you see something wrong; don’t be afraid to alert staff

 Stay cool and avoid prolonged sun exposure

       Be mindful of sunburn, rashes, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Keep yourself and  your children hydrated!  And don’t forget your sun block.

 Understand the factors that place kids at risk at amusement parks such as Universal Studios and other Florida theme parks and keep your children safe. Many people wrongly believe that theme parks, such as Universal Studios, will pay for any injury that takes place on its premises. The park has a duty to provide for a reasonably safe environment and to inspect and maintain its theme park. When a child is hurt while on a ride or is injured while visiting the theme park, it does not necessary mean there is civil liability for the injury.

In a news release this past week, a Florida couple has won a $6 million civil verdict nearly seven years after their 16-year-old daughter was killed in a fatal car crash. 

 Carlos Pozo, serving a 5 ½ year prison sentence for vehicular manslaughter, was speeding at 100mph on a rain slicked road when he lost control of his car. Kaitlin Kazanjian’s was killed in the crash.  Pozo has no way of paying the verdict. 

 The victim’s father, Palm Beach County Sheriff Office Sgt. John Kazanjian, says it doesn’t matter and it was never about the money, stating:  “I just wanted to get everything on the record.  To this day he thinks this was an accident, “It wasn’t an accident. It was his fault. He killed my daughter.”

 Attorneys for Pozo say he has been “incredibly remorseful” since the day of the accident, writing letters to the Kazanjian’s and tearfully apologizing at his sentencing.  

 For over twenty-five years the Dodson Law Firm has been representing clients seriously injured in accidents as well as families affected by wrongful death.  To speak directly to Jim Dodson about your injury claim,  please call our office toll free at (888) 340-0840 and set up a time to discuss your case at no obligation. Read our No Fee Promise.

A study by the Florida Dept. of Education revealed too many drivers have limited understanding of  Florida laws governing the passing of school buses stopped to load and unload school children. The safety of children in and around school buses is tragically compromised by irresponsible and negligent drivers. Public service announcements to increase awareness and educate drivers and increased law enforcement and engineering measures to increase safety are beginning steps to reduce the alarming number of children who are injured or killed at Florida school bus stops. This is only a partial list posted by Bob Eubanks on February 26, 2010 on this website, to increase public awareness of those who have been injured or who have been killed  between 1981-2010.

Read the rest of this entry »

This past week the U.S. Product Safety Commission together with McDonald’s announced a voluntary recall of 12 million “Shrek Forever After 3D” drinking glasses. 

 The reason behind the recall is that the designs on the glasses contain cadmium.  Long exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects.  There are also environmental concerns related to cadmium. 

 These glasses were sold exclusively at McDonald’s restaurants throughout the United States for the last two years.  McDonald’s is asking consumers to stop using the glasses immediately.  Visit http://www.mcdonalds.comfor additional instructions on how to obtain a full refund or call toll free at (800) 244-6227.

 The Dodson Law Firm has a long history of successfully representing those who have been hurt in accidents or injured due to the carelessness of another person.

 If you or a loved one has been injured, you have questions concerning your legal rights. Call our toll free number at (888) 340-0840 to get answers or to schedule a free case review today with Jim Dodson.

Parents have been advised to stop using 4 children’s cough and cold medications manufactured by Johnson & Johnson in a recent recall of Pediacare medicines.

Read the complete news article and get details on our Clearwater Florida Child Injury Lawyer consumer news website, click here.

Thank you for choosing our website as your resource for legal, health and safety information for your family.