Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Florida child injury lawyer’

A three year-old child died this week in a drowning accident in the apartment complex pool where the family lived. News reports say the child’s stepfather was just a matter of feet away. This tragic death has led the family to reach out to other families and warn the dangers of distraction – to prevent this tragedy from happening to other families.

An article published in U.S. News Health magazine recently, was a reminder of the dangers of a moments glance away in a fatal drowning. Just a quick distraction by adults can result in fatal consequences when supervising children around water. Whether a backyard swimming  pool, lake, pond, beach, child’s inflatable pool, bathtub, bucket of water or any body of water, a child must have a responsible adult with focused eyes on them at all times and the ability to jump in quickly.

The article on summertime safety, stated children can drown even in a swimming pool with a lifeguard on duty, and yes, even when they have had swimmming lessons – if they become fatigued. Often times, contrary to what you might expect, when a child slips beneath the surface of the water, there is no sound – no flailing or commotion.

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4 in Florida. The state’s drowning death rate among this age group (1-4)  is the highest in the nation. As a grandparent to two precious little girls, I urge all parents, grandparents and caregivers of children to be hypervigilant in supervising your children around water.

 It is my sincere hope, through education and heightened awareness of this young family’s tremendously sad loss, we can prevent this tragedy from happening again.

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

Over 200,000 drop side cribs made by LaJobi, Inc have been voluntarily recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

 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.

The Children’s Safety Village of Central Florida is a not-for-profit organization that teaches children about the safety hazards they encounter in everyday life, in an effort to reduce preventable accidents and fatal injury.

What better way to teach young children than through hands-on exercises. The “city” includes miniaturized buildings complete with paved streets, sidewalks, a functioning traffic light, a railroad crossing and a water safety complex.  Each of these everyday life experiences help children see potential dangers and practice safety measures to protect themselves from accidental injuries. 

 Approximately 10,000 children are brought to the Children Safety Village facility of Central Florida every year to receive this hands-on education.  Our own children were frequent visitors to the wonderful facility in Clearwater, as they were growing up.

To find out more information or to schedule a tour, call (407) 521-4673 or visit their website. 

 Working to make safety every child’s reality, our Florida Child Injury lawyers have protected  the rights of  injured children and families for over twenty- five years. 

 Call our office toll free at (888) 340-0840 for a free legal consultation.

There is never any obligation to hire a lawyer.

Last week this report gathered national attention when an owner of a daycare center in Oklahoma was found to have loaded guns inside the child care facility.

Police said they found the guns in the garage, attic and inside a safe.  According to the Department of Human Services, the guns are permissible inside home-based daycare centers as long as they are locked up and stored away from ammunition.

Police had raided the day care center as part of a forgery investigation.  A stolen checkbook was found on the premises.   Officers took 37-year-old Tina Butler, who runs the facility, into custody at the scene.  However, police indicate she is not the subject of the forgery investigation.

Neighbors had noticed surveillance cameras by every door and window.  “It’s a little suspicious that they’re coming in and out like that and don’t say hi and don’t have any interaction with anyone,” said one unidentified neighbor.

It is of vital importance that day care centers offer the highest degree of protection and safety for your children.  Day Care Centers must take every preventive measure possible  to ward off any danger that might be posed to your child when in their care.

The Dodson Law Firm represents families and children who are victims of negligence and whose safety has been put in harms way.

Call our toll free number at (888) 340-0840 for your free legal consultation.

Recently, a 7-year-old boy from California received national attention and praise for his quick thinking in calling 911 during an armed robbery at his home.   

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.

 Is Florida is need of a more stringent car booster seat requirement law?  AAA , the automobile people, think so. 

 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.

A Wesley Chapel man saved a 15 month-old toddler’s life last week by remembering CPR training he received nearly 15 years ago.

 This tragic near-drowning accident unfolded last Thursday morning around 11am when Mike Wynperie heard screams from the father of a young child, who had ventured into a pond nearby their backyard.  “She drowned out there in the backyard. She drowned. She went to the water.”  Those were the frantic words captured on the 911 call. 

 The situation by all accounts seemed dire.  The little girl wasn’t breathing.  Her lips were blue.  Her family was in shock as they waited for paramedics.  Wynperie went into action.  “Everything just happened so fast. I didn’t even have time to think.”

 When paramedics arrived 5 minutes later, the toddler’s pulse showed signs of life.  She was then rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where her condition is improving. 

Almost 200,000 children die each year from accidental drownings.  Many of these horrible accidents happen with a momentary distraction  in  “good families.”   Learn more on our Florida Child Injury website about drown proofing your children and avoiding this unthinkable tragedy.

 The Dodson Law Firm lauds the efforts of Mr. Wynperie and his quick response in saving this toddler’s life from a near drowning.  For those interested in learning more about CPR training and a class near you, please visit americaheart.org.

Florida Accident Lawyer, protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 25 years.

In a Clearwater accident, a 2-year-old  child was injured when he was hit by a car Friday night. 

Reports say the boy had been standing with his mother at the corner of Cleveland Street and Frederica Avenue when he suddenly left the sidewalk and ran into the path of the oncoming vehicle.

Paramedics treated the child and he was then airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center due to serious injuries.  The driver of the vehicle has not been charged but the accident is under investigation.

Children, especially toddlers, are too often seriously or fatally injured as pedestrians. Toddlers (age 1 to 2) sustain the highest number of pedestrian injuries,  primarily due to their small size and limited traffic experience. Dangers for young children on the move include: darting out into traffic, playing in or near the street and riding a tricycle or bicycle in a parking lot, driveway or street. The news report states the child had been standing on the sidewalk with his mother prior to darting out into the street.

Young children are particularly vulnerable to injury around traffic because they can not judge distance or how fast a car is speeding toward them. They move quickly and run into the street without warning and are difficult  for drivers to see because of their small size.

Take these steps to safety:

Supervise, supervise, supervise!

Talk to them about street safety.

Set a safe example for children.

Find safe places for them to play.

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

Research in the past  has shown child bathtime injuries have been related primarily to burns, scalding and even drowning. When a parent tells their child, “It’s time to take a bath,” they might expect some resistance but they don’t expect a serious accident to occur.

 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.

The next year and a half Jared’s family would travel five states and seek out top specialists at leading hospitals as he battled to recover.  Today, Jared is still recovering but his condition has improved and his doctors say the chance of reoccurrence is very low. 

 The hard truth though, is  strokes are among the top 10 killers of children.  According to the American Heart Association, the risk of stroke in children 18 and younger is 11 per 100,000, or about 9,000 incidents a year.  Strokes also occur in about 1 out of every 4,000 births. 

 For more information on strokes and how they affect children, please visit know-stroke.org.

Our Florida Child Injury lawyers are committed to providing consumers with the latest child health and safety resources, product recall information and accident and injury prevention news available.