Test your knowledge about kids’ health and safety. Unintentional injuries, not birth defects, are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents.  The greatest threats to child safety come in the form of the following accidents and injuries:

• Poisonings
• Playground Injuries
• Car Accidents as Child Passengers
• Fireworks-Related Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Fire and Burn Injuries in the Home
• Teen  Car and Motor Vehicle Accidents

 Our Clearwater /St. Petersburg, Florida Child Injury Law Firm has served the needs of  families for over twenty five years. If your child was injured due to someone’s carelessness or negligence, you may have unanswered questions and certainly, you have concerns. Request a copy of  Florida Child Injury Lawyer James Dodson’s free consumer guide, “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries, A Parent’s Guide to Child Injury in Florida” as a first step to understanding  your legal rights or call our toll free number (888) 340-0840 to speak directly with Attorney Dodson. There is  no obligation to hire an attorney.

 

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

Nov. 1981, Oscar Russell II, age 12, killed, Jacksonville, FL
March 19,1982, Kimberly Ann Flayac, age 11, killed, Linden, Sumter County, FL
Nov 20, 1984, boy, age 5, serious injuries, Palm Beach County, FL
June 10, 1985, Robert Bliss, age 8, killed, Miramar, FL
Oct. 12, 1987, Joshua Cowart, age 12, killed, Ocala, FL
January 28, 1988, Anthony Scott Baize, age 15, killed, Inverness, FL
Feb 25, 1988, 7 kids hit, serious injuries, Broward County, FL
July 5, 1988, Daniel C. Miesel, age 7, critical injuries, Royal Palm Beach, FL
Sept 20, 1988, Vickie Williams, age 7, injured, Clearwater, FL
Nov. 5, 1988, 8 students injured, Christmas, FL
Aug. , 1989, , age 6, killed, Jackson County, FL
Aug 1989, , age 9, killed, Escambia County Co, FL
Sept 27, 1989, Russell Hibbitts, age 14, killed, hwy 42, Lake County, FL
Oct 27′ 1989, Sarah Ellen DeClue, age 16, killed, Cape Canaveral, FL
Nov. 15, 1989, Kelly Adams, age 18, serious injuries, Tampa, FL
Feb. 21, 1990, Jason Caldwell, age 14, Lake Mack area,2 broken legs, broken shoulder
Aug 27, 1990, Katina Marche Taylor, age 5, critical injuries, Ocala, FL
Aug 29, 1990, Misty DuBose, age 12, serious injuries, Wesley Chapel, FL
April 19, 1991, William McNulty, age 6, killed, Port St. Lucie
Oct 25, 1991, Rita Kuiken, age 15, killed, Lake Worth, FL
Nov 22, 1991, Tonya Rosetta, age 16, critical injuries, Wellington, FL
Dec 12, 1991, Chasteen Goodman, age 12, injured, Hudson, FL
Dec 12, 1991, Tabatha Leonard, age 12, injured, Hudson, FL
Aug 27, 1992 Clifford Morris, age 9, injured, Orlando, FL
Sep 1992, Steven Luteran, age 14, killed, Largo, FL
Oct 9, 1992, Jeremy Millhouse, age 11, killed, Lake Mary, FL
Oct 9, 1992, Arcadio Vergara, age 12, injured, Lake Mary, FL
Oct 9, 1992,Michael S. Beckler, age 11, injured, Lake Mary, FL
Nov. 24, 1992, John Margras, age 13, killed, Lake County, FL
July 30 1993, Stephen Pattinger, age 10, killed, Dade County, FL
Oct 1, 1993, Christopher Scott Davis, age 6, killed, Hobe Sound, FL
Oct 14, 1993, Crystal Worster, age 14, critical injuries, Lake Katherine, FL
Oct 14, 1993, Faith Worster, age 15, broken legs, damaged spleen,Lake Katherine,FL
Oct 22, 1993, Brielle Albamonte, age 14, injured, Winter Springs, FL
Nov 30, 1993, Sadie J. Grant, age 5, killed, Okaloossa County, FL
Dec 1993, ,age ,killed, Marion County, FL
Dec 22, 1994, truck hits 3, 1 killed, Steven Zeigler, age 3, killed, brothers: Nathan
age 4, David , age 6, injured
Jan 5, 1995, Dawn Bonds, age 9, killed, Walton County, FL
Jan 12, 1995, Jonathan Eubanks, age 15, killed, Leesburg, FL
Feb 17, 1995, Sabrina Fuqua, age 8, killed, Santa Rosa County, FL
Sep 28, 1995, Carol Bogdanowitz, age 16, critical injuries, Deltona, FL
Oct 16, 1995, Matthew Madaychik, age 15, killed, Bellview, FL
Nov 7,1995, Melissa Henry, age 13, critical injuries, Palm Beach, FL
Feb 9, 1996, John Christiano, age 12, critical injuries, St. Petersburg, FL
Feb 23, 1996, Jennifer Mosconi, age 13, critical injuries, Mandarin, Duval County
Mar 22, 1996, Kathy Burke, age 13, killed, Mims, FL
Oct 1, 1996, Preston Medley, age 11, injured, Okaloosa County, FL
Oct 28, 1996, Donald Butler, age 13, critical injuries, Daytona Beach, FL
1996, Shakara Peters, age , killed, Seminole County
Nov 19, 1996, Cedreacia Holley, age 5, serious injuries, Dade County, FL
March 17, 1997, boy , age 8, injured, Osceola, County, FL
April 7, 1997, Ticey Rawls, age 16, killed, Hwy 50, Mascotte, FL
June 2, 1997, Heather Daniel, age 15, critical condition, Mandarin, Duval County
June 7, 1997, Monique Earl, age 7, serious injuries, Summerfield, FL
Sep 26, 1997, Joanna Clark, age 13, broken leg, Eustis, FL
Dec 1, 1997, Gilbert Lindner, age 11, killed, Hwy 25, Lady Lake, FL
Dec 3, 1997, Justin Jenkins, age 5, minor injuries, Eustis, FL
1997 Forest High School student killed
Feb 6, 1998, Felix Shmukler, age 11, killed, Ft. Lauderdale
Oct 17, 1998, Jonathan Brown, age 5, injured, St. Petersburg, FL
Oct. 27, 1998, Montae Williamson, age , killed Carol City, FL
Oct. 27, 1998, Mercedes Williamson, age , injured Carol City, FL
Nov , 1998, … Saunders, age 5, critical injuries, Tampa, FL
Dec 21, 1998, Lamon Hines, age 10, injured, Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Jan 11, 1999, Terrie McCourt, age 15, critical injuries, Mims , FL
Feb 24, 1999, Paola Carcamo, age 6, killed, Key West, FL
Mar 10, 1999, Chuck Sparks, age 13, broken leg, E. Orange County, FL
Mar 26, 1999, boy age 7, Fort Pierce, FL
May 19, 1999, Danielle Garris, age 7, critical injuries, Mandarin, Duval County
Sep 23, 1999, Sherwin Alex Gilead, age 12, killed, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sep 30, 1999, Patrice Scott, age 14, injured, walking to school, Orlando
Sep 30, 1999, Candice Scott, age 16, injured, walking to school, Orlando
Sep 30, 1999, Michelle Williams, age 14, injured, walking to school, Orlando
Oct 11, 1999, Mary Stanley, age 14, injured, in a coma, walking to school, Orlando
Oct 19, 1999,
Oct 25, 1999, Patrice Anderson, age 14, killed, walking to bus stop, Orlando
Oct 25, 1999, Jeneva Perez, age 5, injured, Kissimmee, FL
Oct 25, 1999, Jenova Perez, age 5, injured, Kissimmee, FL
Oct 28, 1999, Eric Martin, age 10, killed, Odessa, FL
Nov. 11, 1999, boy , age 12, injured, Poinciana, FL
Jan 10, 2000, boy, , age, injured, Brevard County
Jan 11, 2000, Awilda Ortiz, age 17, critical injuries, Poinciana, FL
Jan 18, 2000, Jonathan Sapp, age 12, killed, Jacksonville
Feb 23,2000, Carlos Rivera, age 14, killed, Kissimmee
March 27, 2000, Kathryn Marvich, age , St. Petersburg, FL
Aug 31, 2000, Hayden Finch, 16, injured, Sanford
Dec 7, 2000, Anastasia Roscigno, age 12, injured, Bellview, FL
Feb 6, 2001, Sheila Deguzman, age 14, killed, Jacksonville, FL
March 6, 2001, Jerrod Hayes, 8, killed, Ocoee
March 8, 2001, Sheila Mae Deguzman, age 15, killed, Jacksonville, FL
Sep. 7, 2001, Calvin Molina, age 9, critical injured, Dover (Tampa)
Oct 2, 2001. Kevin Templeton, age 9, injured, Palm Harbor
Oct 2, 2001. Paige Templeton, age 11, injured, Palm Harbor
Oct 2, 2001. Gerry Sizemore, age 9, injured, Palm Harbor
Oct 22, 2001, Michael Arbuckle, age 14, critical injuries, Delray Beach, FL
December 2001, ____ Edwards, age 13, hit-injured, Palm Beach, FL
December 5, 2001, Victoria Phillips, age 16, critical injuries, coma, Poinciana, FL
January 16, 2002, Scott Craney, age 7, serious injuries, Zephyrhills
January 25, 2002, Caldwell Oupelle, age 7, critically injured, Tampa,
February, 2002
December 10, 2002, Jasmine White, age 9, hit by school bus, Malabar
Dec 6, 2003, Logan Wakeman, age 13, critical injuries, Jacksonville, FL
Jan 7, 2004, Kinsey Michele Leonard, age 15, critical condition, St. Johns County, FL
Jan 7, 2004, (boy), serious condition, St. Johns County, FL
Jan 12, 2004, (boy), serious condition, St. Johns County, FL(hit by mirror)
February 13, 2004, Michael Bronsing, age 16, critically injured, Melborne
February 13, 2004, Jeremy Carr, age 15, seriously injured, Melborne
April 2, 2004, Cullen Bosheers, age 7, critical injuries, Edgewater, FL
April 2, 2004, Ryan Bosheers, age 8, critical injuries, Edgewater, FL
May 19, 2004, Suzanne Marie Pape , age 6, critical injuries, Jacksonville, FL
October 10, 2004, Rebecca McKinney, age 16 , killed, St. Petersburg, FL
November 5, 2004, Ashley Acevedo, age 14, injured, hit by school bus, Clermont
November 12, 2004, Diana Kautz, 15, killed, Royal Palm Beach, FL
January 5, 2005, Gaston Roy Johnson Jr., 14, killed, Orlando
January 12,2005, boy age 15, killed Lake Wales, FL
Feb 12 , 2005, Brooke Ashley Ingoldsby, age 8, killed, St. Petersburg, FL
Mar 1, 2005, Kelsey Nicole Reeser, age 17, serious injuries, Dunedin, FL
March, 2005, girl, age 9, killed, Rockledge, FL
April 7, 2005, (girl) age 15, Injured, hit by car getting off bus, Orlando
April , 2005, Anthony Lupton, age 17, killed, St Lucie County, FL
April 25, 2005. Barry Bows, age 14, killed, Jacksonville, FL
Aug 29, 2005, Elysha Jennings, age 15, critical injuries, St. Petersburg, FL
September 30, 2005, Paul Martin, 12, critical injuries, hit by car, Apopka
November 1, 2005, Courtney Carpenter, 16, hit by car, Lakeland
Jan 10, 2006, Kodijah Tulloch, age 11, killed, West Palm Beach, FL
Jan 2006, Lake Butler, 7 killed 15-year-old Nicki Mann, who was with siblings Elizabeth Mann, 15; Johnny Mann, 13; Heaven Mann, 3; Ashley Kenn, 13; Miranda Finn, who was either 8 or 9 years old; and Anthony Lamb, who was almost 2 years old. Truck hit car at bus stop
October 19, 2006, Michael Nieves, 15, stabbed at bus stop, Orlando
December 4, 2006, Boy 15, girl 17, injured, Miami, FL
December 7, 2006, Zachary Cain. 14, broken leg, hit by car, Lakeland
Feb 8, 2007, Anthony James Anello, age 16, killed, Fort Meyers, FL
March, 2007, 6 yr old girl, critical injuries, Marianna, FL
April 20, 2007, boy age 16, critical injuries, Jacksonville, FL(sleeping in road)
Aug 21, 2007, Trinity Baxter, age 12, critical injuries, Tampa
September 25, 2007, Kristopher Huffman, age 5, killed , St Lucie County, FL
September 27, 2007, Alexis Blackmore, age 11, critical injuries, St. Lucie County, FL
October 1. 2007, Austin Smith, age 11, killed, getting off bus, Kissimmee
October 3, 2007, 5 yr old boy, injured on his way to bus stop, ran in front of car, Sanford
October 25, 2007, Lauren Gist, age 15, killed crossing road to bus stop, Mascotte, FL
October 25, 2007, Kelly Martinez, age 11, killed crossing road to bus stop, Callahan, FL
December 3, 2007, Durance Sims, age 7, critical injuries, crossing road, Orlando, FL
December 3, 2007, 13 yr old girl, attempted kidnapping at bus stop, Deltona, FL
February 6, 2008, Joline Julceus , 9, minor injuries, Port St. Lucie, FL 7:20am
May 7, 2008, teenager, hit by school bus, West Palm Beach, FL
August 28, 2008, Christian Gonzolez, 10, critical injuries, Valrico, FL
September 5, 2008, Ronshay Dugans, 8, killed, bus crash, Tallahassee, FL
September 9, 2008, Kaitlyn Harper, 13, killed, walking to bus stop, Brooksville, FL
September 17, 2008, Erika Desire , 17, critical injuries, Ft. Pierce, FL 5:40am
September 23,2008, Frances Margay Schee, 13, killed, bus hit by truck, Citra, FL
September 23, 2008, Christopher Cepeda, 14, killed, hit by car, Hwy 27,Davenport, FL
November 17, 2008, Jenna Bryan, 15, critical injuries, hit by SUV, Deltona, FL
September 25, 2009, Brandon Castillo, 8, killed, Lehigh Acres, FL
September 29, 2009, Hollywood, FL boy hit getting onto bus
September 29, 2009, Oakland Park, FL, 16 yr old girl, serious leg injuries, hit by bus
October 12, 2009, Walter Edelman, 15, injured Hudson, FL
October 12, 2009, William Calder, 13, injured Hudson, FL
October 28, 2009, Julie Lister, age 6, killed, Panama City Beach, FL
October 28, 2009, Michael McFall, age 9, critical injuries, Panama City Beach, FL
December 18 , 2009,Nora Hernandez-Huapilla, 17, killed, Pinellas Park, FL
Feb 10,2010, Jacqueline M. Jeffery , ,hit getting off bus, Seminole, FL

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.

 The hazard is found in the drop side hardware.  It can break or fall and create a wedge in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped.  There have been 99 reports of drop side malfunctions.  A total of 8 children have been affected, either becoming trapped in the wedge and suffocating or being strangled, or falling from the crib.  There has been one report of a concussion.  Consumers should stop using these recalled products immediately. 

 For more information on this recall, please visit the U.S. Production Safety Commission website. 

 As a Florida Child Injury Attorney, we understand the emotions involved when a child is injured or hurt.  If your child has suffered an injury due to the negligence of another person, call our toll free number (888) 340-0840 for a free case review.  There is never any obligation to hire a lawyer.

Read our No Fee Promise.

 Questions like “What should I do if my teen is being cyberbullied?” are addressed to parents concerned about their child’s well-being online.  Parents who might not understand their teen’s “connected world” should review the information and tips Facebook provides in this new offering. 

 Educators should also benefit from the new Safety Center page.  Instructions are offered concerning how to manage group pages so that teachers can use Facebook as another avenue to responsibly interact with students and parents.  Teachers will also be able to connect with over 270,000 other educators via the Facebook on the Education page.

Our Florida Child Injury Lawyer offers a wealth of  safety information articles and resources to protect children and families on our website, including: dog bite prevention, teen driver safety, drown proofing your child, bike helmet safety, car seat safety guidelines and more!  

Working to make safety, every child’s reality,  toll free number  @ (888) 340-0840.

Tampa police say  the alleged bullying transpired when the three girls slapped their classmate and threw her into a fence.  There have been other episodes, as well.  Investigators believe on another occasion, the victim was threatened while a rope was wrapped around her shoulders.

 The three youths have not given a reason for the abuse.  A case of bullying on a Tampa elementary school campus could lead to arrests.  Criminal charges are expected.

Bullying is tragically, a problem for thousands of school children each day.  For a comprehensive look at how to handle bullying ,  please visit KidsHealth.org.

The Dodson Law Firm provides this Florida child injury blog as a resource for families in an effort to educate parents and “to make safety every child’s reality.”

Call our Florida Personal Injury Law firm for a free consultation about your injury case @ 1-888-340-0840.

News reports state three men burst into the home with weapons and held his mother and father at gunpoint.  The boy, only identified as Carlos, hid with his sister in a locked bathroom.  There he placed the call.  “There are some guys that are gonna kill my Mom and Dad. Can you come, please,” Carlos said to sheriff’s dispatcher Monique Patino.

The suspects left without hurting anyone, upon discovering the 911 call had been made.  When interviewed, Carlos said his mother taught him how to dial 911.  “We practice it every day,” he said.

Teaching your children what constitutes an emergency is important.  Quizzing them on what they would do in the event of a fire, a serious medical problem (seizure, bleeding, serious wounds) or any life-threatening situation is vital training that will prepare them if the occasion ever arises.  A child is generally capable of doing so when they are able to communicate verbally,  about 3-4 years old.  It’s imperative  your child memorizes your street address and phone number so operators have that information as confirmation. 

The Dodson Law Firm is dedicated to the safety of your children and provides this blog as a service in doing so.  Additional information on how to use 911 can be found at kidshealth.org.

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

 Florida is joined by only 2 states, Arizona and South Dakota as not requiring booster seats for children under the age of 7 years old.   It’s been reported that the National Transportation Safety Board has criticized all three states for its lax legislation regarding the matter. Florida lawmakers have resisted however.

 Our current state law requires child restraint devices through age 5.  Exceptions are made to children 4 and 5 who can wear a seat belt instead of a specialized restraint. 

 A child who is properly restrained in a booster seat is less likely to be injured in a car accident. Children who are not properly restrained are at risk of being thrown from the car or inside the car and may seriously injure themselves or other passengers in the car.  Booster seats allow children to sit higher, so car seat belts fit them better and  protect them from head and abdominal injuries. 

 A bill sponsored by Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-Plant City) and Rep. Richard Steinberg (D-Miami Beach) would require booster seats for children ages 4 to 7. Sen. Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) is offering his support to this responsible measure in the Senate.

 The Dodson Law Firm offers its support for responsible legislation leading to increased safety for the children of Florida. 

For information concerning car seat safety inspection stations visit our Florida Child Injury Lawyer website, working to make safety a reality for every child.

 But an estimated 43,600 bathtub and shower-related injuries do happen every year to children resulting in a trip to the emergency room.  According to a study conducted by Dr. Gary Smith of Ohio State University, 81% of those accidents are brought about by a child slipping, falling or tripping.   

More than half of the injuries occur in the under 5 years of age group. Child injuries usually are lacerations and soft tissue injuries.

 Dr. Smith is quick to point out the problem shouldn’t be blamed solely on lack of parental supervision.  “They happen so quickly that a parent simply can’t react quickly enough to prevent them,” he said. “Therefore, it is important to prevent them from happening by using a slip resistant mat inside and outside the bath and shower.”  

 To read more information about the results of the study, please visit medpagetoday.com.

For additional information concerning child safety and injury protection, please visit our Florida Child Injury lawyer document and resource library on our website.