Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Posts Tagged ‘negligence’

Retinoblastoma affects about 300 children in the United States every year and 5,000 kids worldwide.

 In New York, a 2 year- old child had surgery to remove her left eye. Her mother first spotted the trouble while bathing her daughter. She noticed  her daughter’s eyes were “reflecting funny”  -similar to the glassy, glowing quality a dog’s eyes have in photographs. Her next pediatrician appointment, the mother asked the doctor to take a look. When a light was shined in the little girl’s eye,the doctor saw nothing. The mother prompted the doctor to look again without a light and this time, she spotted something abnormal.

 It was soon discovered the toddler suffered from retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer affecting the retina, the layer of cells at the back of the eye that senses light.  As good as healthcare is today, unfortunately cases such as this still occur.  Could it have been caught earlier? How can parents protect their child from the same kind of tragedy?

 ”If we had known what we were looking for, it would have been easy to pick up. That’s what makes me upset,” the child’s mother said. “There are so many things that people warn you about, don’t buy this toy because it was made somewhere and it could have lead in it and don’t let your child use this stroller because the safety mechanism is off.”

 In yet another case, a jury in Chicago awarded an 8-year-old boy $7.9 million dollars in a negligence case against his pediatrician.  The child had been seen by his pediatrician up until he was about a yr. old. The doctor  had examined his retinas on 7 separate occasions.  On a subsequent visit to another pediatrician, the youngster was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. He lost vision in both eyes.

  Symptoms of retinoblastoma may include:

• A white or pink pupil and lazy eye
• Less common symptoms are redness in the white part of the eye
• Eye pain
• Vision problems and
• A pupil that does not get smaller with light

 Two thirds of the cases of retinoblastoma are the non-hereditary type in which the gene mutation develops after birth and is present in only one eye. As far as cancers go, the outlook is said to be good. More than 90 percent of kids with retinoblastoma can be cured.

Download a copy of a “Parent’s Guide to Understanding Retinoblastoma” by clicking here.

Always seek the advice of a medical specialist if you have concerns about anything related to your child’s health and well being. If you believe you may have the basis for a medical negligence claim, contact a Florida Medical Malpractice attorney who has experience handling child injury claims. But don’t delay, Florida has strict time limits for bringing a medical malpractice claim.

Clearwater Child Injury Lawyer, 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.

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.

EVAC Ambulance Service has been found at fault for alleged injuries which occurred seven years ago to a Volusia County boy. 

 The morning of September 21, 2003, a woman experiencing premature labor pains went to Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach.  Doctors there conferred and decided to have her treated at Halifax Medical Center.  The ambulance however, transported the woman to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando.  Her infant, weighing 1.7 lbs. was born prematurely, 15 minutes into the trip.  The newborn allegedly suffered a lack of oxygen to the brain, leaving him with cerebral palsy.

 A spokesman for EVAC, was quoted saying, “EVAC paramedics have to care for the tragic consequences of illness and injury every day. We stand behind our paramedics and intend to appeal this verdict.”

 The Dodson Law Firm serves the rights of injured victims and those who have suffered due to medical negligence. Our Florida Medical Malpractice attorneys work on a contingency fee basis which means we do not collect a fee unless we win a successful settlement or verdict.  Call our office toll free @ 1-888-340-0840 for a free legal consultation.

Our Florida medical malpractice attorney

http://www.jwdodsonlaw.com/practice_areas/medical-malpractice-medical-negligence.cfm

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