Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Dodson Law Firm’

Last month, we reported over 2 million drop side cribs manufactured by Stork Craft had been recalled due to the danger of child entrapment and  strangulation.  Just this week, another manufacturer of drop side cribs, Dorel Industries, is being forced to recall 635,000 cribs due to hazards of infant and toddler strangulation, suffocation and even infant death.

 An online report was published this week suggesting that Dorel Industries may have been persuaded with the recall by actions the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission planned to take.  The report quotes a spokesman with CPSC as saying the commission would take unilateral action to recall 20 various models of Dorel cribs due to hardware issues in drop-side cribs as well as for slats that break.

The report continues to say that because of the potential embarrassment of not issuing a recall in the aftermath of dozens of incidents and the fatality of a baby — Dorel announced the recall with the traditional language of  “in cooperation with” the CPSC.

 In a written statement, Dorel said, “The recall is motivated by isolated reports of broken crib slats and drop-side hardware. In total, 67 incidents were reported and 10 children were bruised or scratched.”  The statement described the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death as highly unusual. 

For more details,  please visit CPSC or call Dorel Asia toll-free at  (866) 762-2304        

We recently became aware of some very compelling information regarding the growing concern of backover accidents. 

 All vehicles have blind spots, where visibility may be limited. High profile cars such as SUV’s, trucks and vans can be dangerous due to  their design.  As a result, unsuspecting children are seriously injured and even fatally injured. Backover accidents occur in both residential areas, as well as other common  places such as parking lots. 

 Here are some astonishing facts and figures to consider:

1. Most victims of backover accidents are toddlers (12-23 months old)
2. 60% of the time, Trucks, Vans, SUV’s and other large sized vehicles are involved in the accident 
3. A parent or close relative is behind the wheel in over 70% of these accidents 
4. Annually over 2,400 children are attended to in emergency rooms, as a result of being struck by or rolled over by a vehicle

It’s reported that 100 children are killed each year from these accidents.  Improved technology by manufacturers and standards to increase rear visibility could potentially be a true safeguard to children.  But the ultimate responsibility is to the driver.  Backing up is risky and requires a driver’s complete attention. Patience and a willingness to slow down and drive defensively…even while backing out of a driveway, will provide a safer haven to children and prevent a real tragedy.

Our Florida Child Injury document library contains  a resource article with information concerning safety devices to reduce the risk of backover accidents.  

The Dodson Law Firm  likes to acknowledge companies and organizations that are doing the right thing for children.  “Kids are Heroes” is a program  St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital of Tampa has instituted since 1996.  Since that time, they have recognized more than 1,000 children, between the ages 5 and 18, from Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties who have accomplished heroic deeds, or displayed acts of selflessness. 

 Every year these young heroes are selected by a panel of judges comprised of current and past pediatric patients of St. Joseph’s.  The Tampa Bay Lightning is also affiliated with this worthwhile program. 

 In 2009 there were some very special individuals who were chosen as heroes.  To find out more about the program and the winners, please visit their website, or contact Amy Gall at (813) 870-4731.

The Pinellas School Board is being sued by an Azalea Middle School student. 

 The student, Jarrard Jackson, claims that he’s been harassed and bullied on three separate occasions by the same group of boys.  The incidents have happened on a school bus, as well as on school grounds.

 A spokeswoman for Pinellas Schools declined to address the specific allegations, according to a news report.

Recent statistics show that half of all bullying goes unreported.  The Dodson Law Firm urges students who have been bullied to report the incident(s) to an adult. Most children do not report that they have been bullied to a parent or an authority figure because they fear they will become even more of a target.

 Anonymous reports can also be made by calling the Campus Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-873-8477. (Contact Information provided by the Pinellas County School Board)