Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Posts Tagged ‘concussion’

Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist and fitness consultant who works with organizations designing functional training programs.  Here are some important tips she supplies for parent’s whose children are involved with youth sports.

 Although some may appear to be common sense, sometimes  it’s the “smaller things” that are overlooked that could lead to child injury. Many children experience  minor bruises and injuries as they participate in youth sports. But there are some safety considerations for parents in the event an injury does occur and steps to take  to protect children from more serious injuries.

• Does the coach have first aid training and an emergency action plan?
• Is there a safety policy regarding injury, illness, and inclement weather?
• Does the coach have your emergency contact information?
• Do you have contact information for the coach?
• Is there a first-aid kit always on hand?
• Is there available water, hydration at all game & practices?
• Is there a scheduled warm-up and cool down at games and practices?
• Does your child receive guidelines and recommendations about proper safety equipment?                                                                                                                
• Is safety equipment required for play?
• Are children allowed adequate rest between games and practices?
• Is sportsmanship, and fair play a core value of the program and the coach?

 Unfortunately, tragic accidents can  happen on the playing field.   Children have the potential for suffering many kinds of  serious injuries while playing sports including: broken bones, concussion, trauma, torn ligaments, sprains and strains, eye injuries and more. If you are unsure  about answers to even one of these questions, make a point to find out. It’s in your children best interest and safety that you do.  The Dodson Law Firm protects the interests of families every day.  For a free consultation with our Florida Personal Injury lawyers contact our office @ 1-888-340-0840.

Public playgrounds are a vital part of a child’s growth, both socially and physically.  Unfortunately, playground injuries are very real.  They happen every day and they can be quite serious.  The proof is in the numbers.  

In fact, the CDC reports that more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger are rushed to the emergency room annually for accidents that take place on a playground.  Roughly 90,000 of those injuries are severe.  Children suffer fractures, concussions, internal injuries, dislocations and in some instances even amputations. 

Approximately 75% of nonfatal accidents occur on public playgrounds with the majority of these occurring at schools and daycare centers.  In some instances these playground accidents result in fatalities.  In the ten year span between 1990 and 2000, 147 children died on playgrounds.  Fifty-six percent of these deaths were the result of strangulation and 31% happened because of a fall on a playground surface.  The vast majority of these deaths occurred at a play area at home.

 Defective playground equipment, a lack of protective safety procedures as well as negligent supervision are just some of the claims that could be filed on behalf of a family’s legal counsel. 

Because many playgrounds accidents do take place on school property during daytime hours there are legal challenges that may inhibit a claim even for a very serious injury to be filed.  It is in your best interest and the interest of your child to seek the counsel of an experienced Florida Child Injury attorney as early as possible after an accident has taken place.

Gymnastics provide opportunities for children to experience growth in  fine and gross motor skills, agility and coordination. Our grandaughter has had such fun already and learned much in her young and limited experience in their local gym.

-But accidents do occur. Consider some basic safety information before enrolling your children in a gymnastics program. Does the gym have adequate staff and supervision for spotting and monitoring? Is equipment properly arranged and maintained? Is there adequate secured matting and floor padding? Is there a plan in the event of a medical emergency? 

Gymnastics injuries have been studied  by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy. Findings suggest gymnastics is overlooked in terms of potential for injury.  Nearly 27,000 injuries are reported each year – concussions, fractures, sprains.

Parents  don’t typically think of gymnastics as a dangerous sport, but rather an activity.  Do your homework first. Then choose the gym that is right for your child!