Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Posts Tagged ‘child injury’

In a press release stating a recent highchair recall, IKEA offically is recalling Leopard highchairs which are being sold in their stores. 

This is a voluntary recall of 600 LEOPARD highchairs sold at IKEA stores from October through November 2009.

FROM THE CPSC:

Name of Product: LEOPARD Highchairs

Units: About 600

Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Hazard: The snap locks used to secure the seat to the frame can break and allow the seat and child to drop through the frame, posing a fall hazard to young children. Detached snap locks can pose a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: IKEA has received 11 reports worldwide of failing snap locks, including one report of a child falling through the frame and suffering bruised legs. In addition, the firm has one report of a child mouthing a detached snap lock. No incidents have been reported in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all colors of the LEOPARD highchairs sold as a seat and a frame individually. The seat and tray has an adhesive label affixed to the underside with the words LEOPARD and “Made in Italy,” an eight-digit article number and a five-digit supplier number (19589).

Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from October 2009 through November 2009 for about $60. The frame sold for $40 and the seat for $20.

Manufactured in: Italy

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the highchairs and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ikea-usa.com

A recent study from the  Tampa Tribune states Florida reports 200 cases of child abuse which tragically resulted in death.

The deaths from 2008 from 2007 show a 20% increase in deaths from child abuse. The study shows a strong link to unemployment and drug abuse.

According to the article, “Florida has one of the highest per-capita rates of child deaths reported to the state abuse hotline in the country, partly because its figures count such events as car accidents, drownings and suicides, which aren’t included in most other states.”

The Department of Children and Families serves as a hotline for child abuse cases. We all woud like this number to be less and less every year.

A  recent article published by the Shreveport Times reminds us of what we need to do to protect our children when  riding on a escalator. It is all too common for kids to be injured on these machines in malls and shopping centers. The article outlines safety precautions for Parents to protect children on escalators.

Some  tips include having your child remain in the center of the escalator,  removing your child from his/her  stroller before getting on the escalator, in addition to other tips parents should be aware of to avoid a child injury involving a escalator.  As a public service, we provide you with up to date safety information in an effort to help you become more aware of unintentional injuries to children.

Read this article.

With the incidence of dog bite deaths in Florida, we have  provided a dog bite website link, in an effort to help the public understand why dogs may attack. The article from DogBiteLaw.com outlines some key statistics and answers concerning the subject of  dogs attacks  and dog bites. For additional information visit our website dog bite library section for videos; blogs on news articles related to local dog bites and attacks, as well as safety resources.

It has been accepted that dog bites have become too frequent and too violent to be ignored. The statistics support the view, first articulated  in 1999, that there exists a “dog bite epidemic” in the United States. There are differences of opinion, however, concerning breeds of  dogs which are deemed too dangerous, with some members of the public even refusing to accept that there is any such thing as a “dangerous dog.” 

The most recent nationwide survey of dog bites is over 10 years old. It established that there were approximately 4.7 million dog bites in the USA per year. Since that time, the number of bites clearly appears to have grown faster than the number of dogs.

Over 30 dog attacks per year result in the death of an American. These incidents are referred to as “canine homicides,” meaning deaths of humans that were inflicted by dogs. Although homicides are extremely rare, they are significant primarily because they are investigated closely, and a good amount of detail often is reported, enabling experts to form opinions about a variety of issues pertaining to dog bites. In the 1980s and 1990s there were about 17 fatalities in the USA per year, but 2006 and 2007 saw more than 30 per year.

A close look at the dispute over dangerous dogs, however, leads to the conclusion that the disagreement often is about how we talk about them, what makes them dangerous, and how we should curtail the danger. Many believe that we should not talk about a dog as being dangerous, but rather the owner being dangerous. Others say that no breed is inherently dangerous, and that we should regard a dog as dangerous only if it has behaved in a dangerous manner. Many strongly resist any proposed solution that would involve any distinction whatsoever among the breeds. The approach advocated by Attorney Kenneth Phillips and most experts is multi-focal, in recognition of the fact that there are many causes of the dog bite epidemic, requiring many corrective measures.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite attack in Florida, you need an experienced Florida Dog Bite Lawyer on your side.

A recent public safety recall by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, suggests a product recall for the Amby Baby Motion Beds and Hammocks.

As a public service, we provide you with the information from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website which lists:

Name of Product: Amby Baby Motion Beds

Units: About 24,000

Manufacturer: Amby Baby USA, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The side-to-side shifting or tilting of the hammock can cause the infant to roll and become entrapped or wedged against the hammock’s fabric and/or mattress pad, resulting in a suffocation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Amby Baby is aware of two infant suffocation deaths in the Amby Baby hammock. In June 2009, a 4-month-old girl in Lawrenceville, Ga died in a baby hammock and in August 2009, a 5-month-old boy from Gresham, Ore.

Description: The Amby Baby Motion Bed consists of a steel frame and a fabric hammock which are connected by a large spring and metal crossbar. There is only one model of the hammock available which can be identified by a label sewn onto the hammock stating: “Amby – Babies Love It, Naturally.”

Sold online at: Ambybaby.com and other Internet retailers from January 2003 through October 2009 for about $250.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Amby Baby motion beds/hammocks and contact Amby Baby USA for a free repair kit. Parents and caregivers are urged to find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Amby Baby USA toll-free at (866) 544-9721 between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ambybaby.com

Having a hard time finding the right toy for your child this holiday season? Does your child want that “big boy” toy that everyone else has? Be careful about what you choose for your child and factor in the age and how safe it is for them as noted in a recent news article. As stated in the article, “Toys can teach your child a lot. Even if they aren’t always educational, they always should be fun, and of course they always should be safe. Like your mom said, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye.”

This article also talks about how to check for the age requirements and how to make sure your not buying a toy that is too advanced for even bright children.  Toys with small pieces and objects that can be swallowed, or scooters and bikes that seem like great fun for getting outside but offer dangers and often contribute to child injuries.

Many toys can become  a safety hazard.  Parental supervision is important in the prevention of unintentional child injuries.

Have a safe holiday season!

What: Child Injury with Booster Seats

Photo from Tampa Tribune

In a recent article by the Tampa Tribune, Florida,  1 of 3 states who don’t require booster seats for infants, could rethink this situation in a  newly proposed bill  which will  ticket those who don’t use one. Thad Altman’s bill would mandate car booster seats for children ages 4 to 7 or those under 4 feet 9 inches tall.

A booster seat’s primary purpose is to secure a child in the seat while helping the seat belt fit correctly in the booster seat. This tightly secures the child in the seat to prevent injury. 

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. In Florida, 35 child passengers younger than 10 died in crashes in 2008 -an additional 7,754 were injured.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published a report in 2003 showing that children in that age group were 59 percent less likely to suffer an injury in a car crash if they were in a booster seat rather than only wearing a seat belt.

Florida has a dubious distinction- being one of just three states who does not require booster seats – a distinction that is hopefully going to change!

Medical care today has never been better.  Still, for the new parent, one must be aware of serious neonatal conditions that can arise.

 Developmental Hip Dysplasia is a dislocation of the leg and pelvis.  One in every 1,000 babies born develops this condition.  Generally it is detected at birth and treated instantly by placing the infant in a soft sling for several months. If it’s not recognized and ministered to early, surgery may be required.

 Negligence can play a factor in hip dysplasia not being diagnosed. Thorough hip examinations throughout infancy are essential for proper care.  This condition can be extremely uncomfortable.  

 For more information on developmental hip dysplasia, please visit our Child Injury document library