Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Posts Tagged ‘killed’

In a heartbreaking accident  in Titusville this month, a 19-month-old boy was killed when he fell from a trailer being pulled by a riding lawn mower and was then struck by the mower.  The child’s grandmother was driving the mower, according to several media outlets. The toddler was taken to Parrish Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

 This case is still under investigation and the names of those involved are being withheld.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that about 75 people are killed annually and about 20,000 are injured on or near riding lawnmowers and garden tractors. One out of every five of those fatalities is a child. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics in a 2001 article in the journal Pediatrics, which was reaffirmed in 2010, states that “many of these injuries can be achieved by 1) design changes of lawn mowers to enhance safety, 2) appropriate age and maturity guidelines for mower operation, and 3) education of parents, other child caregivers, and children regarding the hazards associated with lawn mowers.”

Florida Child Injury lawyer Jim Dodson provides this information to increase consumer safety and awareness. It does not imply that an attorney client relationship exists nor is it to be considered legal advice to any viewer.

A study by the Florida Dept. of Education revealed too many drivers have limited understanding of  Florida laws governing the passing of school buses stopped to load and unload school children. The safety of children in and around school buses is tragically compromised by irresponsible and negligent drivers. Public service announcements to increase awareness and educate drivers and increased law enforcement and engineering measures to increase safety are beginning steps to reduce the alarming number of children who are injured or killed at Florida school bus stops. This is only a partial list posted by Bob Eubanks on February 26, 2010 on this website, to increase public awareness of those who have been injured or who have been killed  between 1981-2010.

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 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.

What can be done to enhance the safety of students in and around the bus stops of the Pinellas County School District?  School officials are asking themselves that after the death of 17-year-old Nora Hernandez-Huapilla killed just before the winter break.

A news article reported the tragedy occurred at the 66th Street and 70th Avenue N stop when the teen attempted to reach an “arterial” bus stop by darting into traffic against the light.  Friends of Nora’s say she was worried she’d miss the bus. 

 In Pinellas County there are 125 arterial bus routes. Students who elect not to attend their neighborhood school are required to take an arterial route if they need transportation.  Currently, more than 12,000 students are doing this.  These stops are typically alongside busy roads, according to a report published in the St. Petersburg Times.

Parents have been concerned about the Pinellas arterial bus stops for sometime now.  Just 4 months ago, a report by WFTS-TV quoted one parent, Lisa Johnson, as saying, “I’m really angry. I’ve been on the phone at least twice a week since school started about this and nobody’s come out to do anything about it,” Johnson said.

 In the aftermath of the accident that killed 17 year-old Nora Hernandez-Huapilla, a notice has been sent to parents reminding them of a policy: “Parents are expected to transport to/from the bus stop.”  The word “transport” does not have to mean by vehicle, Associate Superintendent, Michael Bessette said Monday.  It could also mean parents giving students permission to travel by bike, or helping them discover a safe walking route.

 District officials plan to visit 28 different stops throughout the rest of the week between Tarpon Springs and St. Petersburg High in order to collect data.   The information will then be turned over to an advisory group made up of parents, students, bus drivers and district staff.