Does this seem farfetched? It isn’t. Injuries and deaths from power windows are not uncommon. The story above is true. Since 1990 over 50 children have been killed by power windows, and the number of child injuries caused by these windows is in the thousands—serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and amputations of fingers—and most  of the victims are three years old and younger.

How could this terrible tragedy have been prevented?  What if the automatic windows in the car had reversed when coming into contact with the child, much the way elevator doors do if they close on someone? 

Consider these facts about automatic reversal technology:

• ARS technology would only cost around $6 per car window. 
• Eight out of ten new vehicles sold in Europe and most American cars sold overseas include ARS technology, but fewer than half of the vehicles produced by major US automakers and sold in the United States have this technology.

 In 2009, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration conducted a study aimed at deciding if they should require automatic reversing systems (ARS) technology in cars manufactured or sold in the United States. NHTSA decided ARS is not necessary. At the time, the information now available had not been completely assembled.

 Not necessary? If even one child injury or death is caused by a power window, we contend that preventing this unnecessary harm is absolutely necessary.  And one might ask how it is that European children deserve this protection more than our own.  Who among us would be unwilling to pay an additional $24 when buying a car to assure that our nation’s children are safe from these devastating injuries?

“What kind of parent allows such a thing to happen?” you ask. Tragically, the answer is good parents, according to a University of South Florida professor of neuroscience, the St. Petersburg Times reported in a July 29^th article. David Diamond studied 50 of the cases of child death from hyperthermia as a result of being left in cars, and in every case, he found that otherwise good parents experiencing a combination of sleep deprivation, stress, and change in routine had suffered a memory lapse.

Children here in Florida are at a greater risk because of our intense summer heat. Children should never be left in cars, even for a moment. KidsAndCars.org, an organization dedicated to preventing child injury and death in cars, suggests that when you first get in, put something you absolutely must have—like your purse—on the back seat next to the child, to avoid forgetting to take your child with you.

Our child injury blog includes this very difficult subject to raise public awareness and because we are committed to keeping children safe. One child injury or one child death is one too many.

 Myth Number Four

 Myth: I have a 4 year old son and he weighs 33 lbs. I recently switched him to a booster because he is now 4. He still fits into his forward facing 5 point harness car seat, but I switched him anyway.

 Fact: In this case, the child is 33 pounds and has not outgrown his harness in the car seat even though he is 4 years old. He can and should continue using his existing 5 point harness car seat until it is outgrown. His harness may cover him until he weighs 40, 60 or even 80 pounds, depending upon the limits for his specific car seat. Parents should always check their child’s harnessed car seat to learn what the upper limits are for that particular seat. Do not rush to remove a child from the harnessed car seat into the booster seat just because he turns 4. The harness and car seat shell afford a child much more protection as long as it is not outgrown.
Signs that a child has outgrown his forward facing harness car seat include: Surpassing the height or weight requirement for the seat, the ears have reached the top of the seat, and/or the child’s shoulders are above the top harness slots. When a parent notices any of these things, it is necessary to obtain a new, properly fitting seat.

 Myth Number Five

 Myth: My daughter is 10 years old and some of her friends are still in boosters, and others are not. I’m overwhelmed by this entire car seat situation and there is no one formally trained to take a quick look at how she fits in the booster and help me figure out what is best for her safety.

 Fact: You’re in luck. There are over 34,000 certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians throughout the country who can help. These qualified individuals can assess your individual situation – whether you have an infant or an older child – and help guide you. It’s always best to bring your child and the car seat/booster when you see the technician to evaluate the fit and decide what steps to take. Remember to also bring your car seat instruction book and the vehicle owner’s manual to the inspection. (courtesy of Safe Kids)

As a personal injury lawyer, I know that child safety seats when used properly, are the most effective tools available to prevent death and child injury in a car crash.  Get involved in Child Passenger Safety Week and prevent child injury by making sure your child is properly restrained in an appropriate safety or booster seat.

Check below for more helpful information about child safety seats and online websites to visit this week:

www.AAA.com/SafeSeats4Kids

www.HealthyChildren.org

www.SeatCheck.org

Clearwater Child Injury Lawyer, your child safety advocate and author of “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries.” Available at No Cost to parents of a child injured in a Florida accident. Law Office of James W. Dodson  @1-888-340-0840   – Working to make safety every child’s reality.

 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.