Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

In the summer, injuries to minors and children are more common, since children are out of school and often taking part in more activities outside the home. Summertime should be a wonderful time for children, and you can ensure that your child has a wonderful and safe summer by being wary of these common summertime injuries:

1) Pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian accidents injure many children and minors each summer, simply because there are more children on sidewalks and roadways. Always teach your children how to cross the street properly and if you children are playing outside, make sure that they play well away from the street area. You don’t want a child running into traffic to follow a lost ball or Frisbee.

2) Boating accidents. In the summer, as many families get out their boats for the summer, boating accidents become a serious concern. The best way to prevent boating accidents is with prevention. Ensure that everyone in your boat wears the correct safety gear and make sure that all children are wearing life vests that are properly fitted. Teach your children to swim. If it has been a while since you have taken a boating safety course, consider taking a refresher class.

3) Car accidents. Car accidents are all too common in the summer, as many more people are on the road, taking children to summer camps, summer programs, and on trips. When driving with children, give your children some activity so that they do not distract you from driving. Use common sense on the road and drive only when you are able to give your full attention to the road.

4) Sports injuries. Many children play sports in the summer, and this can mean sports-related injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, scrapes, and bruises. It’s important to make sure that children are wearing the right safety equipment for their sport at all times. If an injury does occur, make sure that it gets evaluated right away. A simple bump on the head may mean a concussion and can lead to serious injury if untreated. If your child is injured during a sport, make sure that he or she recovers completely before playing the sport again.

5) Burn injuries. Bonfires at night and electrical wires can pose a hazard in the summer. Teach your children to avoid electrical wires at all costs and teach your child fire safety. Many fire departments offer fire safety demonstrations – call your local station to find out if such an event is planned for your area. If you plan on having bonfires, make sure that children are carefully supervised as they toast marshmallows and sit close to the fire.

Florida has many water parks and theme parks offering water rides and slides. While these can be a great deal of fun, they can also pose dangers to children. Although all water parks take precautions to prevent injuries, brain injuries, dental injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries are still a risk. Here’s how to keep your child safe at water parks:

1) Read the warning signs and follow them. The warning signs are there for a reason, so make sure that you read any warnings and follow them exactly. If certain clothing items are required, for example, make sure your children are wearing the right gear. If children are not allowed to stand up in a water ride, make sure they remain seated.

2) Make sure your children wear proper shoes near water slides and rides. Shoes should have good treads, since water parks inevitably have many slippery areas as water gets splashed everywhere. Encourage your children not to run near water slides and rides, where splashed water may make some surfaces slippery.

3) Only allow your children on water slides that are feet-first. Going down slides head-first puts your children at risk of dental damage and brain injury. Ensure that your children always slide down feet-first.

4) Pay attention to age and weight limits. Again, there are reasons for these limits. It may be useful to research a park before you go, to ensure that many slides and rides are available for your child. That way, your child won’t be disappointed to find many rides closed to him or her.

5) Encourage your children to take frequent breaks. Take regular breaks in the shade and make sure your child drinks something and reapplies sunscreen during these breaks. Breaks are important to ensure your child does not get too tired and does not develop cramps. Hydration can help prevent heat-related illness.

6) Have your children shower and bathe thoroughly after a trip to the water park. Although water parks have chlorinated water, all public places have germs, and water parks are no different. Make sure your child bathes thoroughly after a trip to the water park and dries off carefully – especially between the toes.

Each year, almost 5000 children across America fall out of windows and experience either serious injuries or fatalities. About 28% of children who fall out of windows require at least a hospital stay. Window screens simply do not provide enough of a barrier – about 40-60% of children who fall out of windows fall out of windows that have screens.

Now that the weather is warmer, many people across Florida and the nation are throwing open their windows. Unfortunately, in homes with smaller children and toddlers, this simple act can result in serious and even permanent injury. Falls out of windows can result in beck injuries, abdominal injuries, brain injuries, and permanent disability. In cases where children land on a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, the chances of severe injury and fatality are greater.

Most cases of falls out of windows occur in the spring and summer and the majority happen in a child’s home. Falls out of windows can be a concern in single-family homes. Even a fall out of a first or second-story window can cause serious injury. Obviously, falls out of high-rise apartment buildings tend to be especially tragic.

Parents can help prevent falls out of windows. The main preventative measure is good supervision. Most cases involving falls out of windows occurred when children were alone in the room. Keeping windows closed and keeping furniture away from windows so that children cannot climb to the windows are also good ideas.

Even with good supervision, accidents can happen. One good way to prevent this is by securing windows. Window screens are not adequate and will easily give way under the weight of a child. There are window guards and special safety screens that are available especially to keep children safe. These screens are effective when correctly installed and cost $20-30 in some cases. These screens are usually screwed right into the frame and many come with a safety latch that opens if you need to get rid of the screen quickly during a fire. Many hardware stores sell these items.

In addition to a safety screen, you will also want to secure your window so that it cannot be easily opened. If you have windows that pop out easily for cleaning, consider having extra latches installed to ensure that children cannot pop windows open accidentally. If you have sliding windows, add window stops to ensure that the windows cannot easily be opened.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of death for Americans between 5 and 24 years of age. Water-related accidents can include drowning, pool-related accidents, and boating accidents. Accidents near bodies of water can be fatal and can also cause serious injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries. Many water-related accidents can be avoided. Here’s how:

1) Never swim alone. Whether you are a teen or an adult, always swim with someone else present. Even if you have had lots of experience, sudden cramps, fatigue, or a current can pose an immediate danger. Children should never swim without qualified adult supervision.

2) Get lessons. Children should be taught to swim at an early age – swimming lessons can help save your child’s life if your child falls into a lake or pool. Adults should get first-aid and CPR classes. Every adult supervising children who are swimming should be a strong swimmer and should have CPR training in case mouth to mouth is needed.

3) Choose swimming areas carefully. Public swimming areas supervised by a professional lifeguard are the safest places for children and teens to swim. Make sure that your children aren’t swimming at an unsupervised local swimming hole, where riptides, wildlife, currents, and other dangers may be undetected.

4) Know your children’s limits. If your children are just new to swimming, make sure that they swim in safe areas that are appropriate for their skill level. Have your children swim with other children who are at the same skill level. If your child is swimming with stronger swimmers, he or she may take risks in order to try to keep up.

5) Make sure your children know how to dive. Diving causes many spinal cord injuries when swimmers dive into water that is too shallow or contains rocks. Make certain that your children’s swimming classes include diving lessons and teach your children to only dive in swimming pools in the diving area of the pool.

6) Make sure your children stay hydrated and sun-safe when swimming. Sun reflects off water and can cause burns more quickly. Make sure your children wear water-proof sun block or frequently apply sun block when swimming outdoors. Encourage your children to drink plenty of water, as well, to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Today, virtually every home has a computer or home office. Many children and minors spend considerable time on the home computer, studying, playing games, and chatting with friends. While in recent years parents have become more savvy about the threat of online predators, many parents are not aware of the personal injuries that can result from computers.

Computers are not just a means of communication. There are also physical objects that can produce muscle injuries, bruises, joint injuries, lacerations, and other personal injuries among children and adults. Because the children and minors tend to spend especially long periods of time on the computer, they are especially susceptible to repetitive stress injuries and other personal injuries related to the computer.

Teens are at risk of developing blurred vision, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome if the spend many hours working at a computer for homework or for play. Teens will sometimes spend hours online or on the computer, without shifting position and without becoming aware that they are at risk of an injury. To prevent this, it is important to provide an ergonomically correct workstation for teens, and to encourage teens to get up and walk around the room every hour or so while they are on the computer.

In addition to the physical risks that teens face, younger children face physical risks from computers -- even if they don't use them. Small children and toddlers can inadvertently pull a laptop or a desktop computer off of the computer table and onto their heads, causing brain injury. Carefully attaching a computer or laptop to the computer workstation or desk helps prevent such accidental injuries. Also, keeping the office door locked when young children are around is a good idea.

Adults and children alike can trip or fall over computer equipment. It is important to keep wires and cords well out of the way. The newer wireless networks are especially handy for avoiding trip and fall accidents caused by wiring. However, if this is not feasible, simply gathering the wiring from a computer, binding it together, and binding it to a desk leg can help keep the wires off the floor and out of the way. Also, it is a good idea to keep computer parts, books, and accessories and equipment off the floor. Have a large enough workspace so that you can keep all computer-related items on a desk, and not on the floor where they can cause a tripping hazard.

In addition to trips, head injuries, and repetitive stress injuries, computers can also cause bruises and lacerations when people bump into them. Is easy to crash into a computer desk or computer, causing bruises and injuries. To prevent this, make sure that you have plenty of space around the computer station to walk around, and to exit the computer area safely. If you have a small home, look for space-saver workstations that can save you space and make your computer workstation safer as well.

Many teens take on part-time work during the school year and sometimes full-time work in the summer to generate spending money or to help pay for college. While work can build skills and discipline, however, it can also be dangerous. In addition to car accidents, on-the-job personal injuries are among the top causes of fatalities among young people. Experts and Workers' Compensation Boards claim that many workplace injuries involving minors are very preventable. According to experts, the main, preventable, reasons for workplace injuries include:

1) Lack of worker training and safety precautions. Employers are required by law to create safe working conditions, but not all employers are conscientious about doing so. Many young workers may not be comfortable speaking out about possible safety violations, may not notice these violations or may not be aware of their legal rights.

2) Young workers who are so eager to please that they do not ask questions about work safety. Many young workers want to make a good impression and may not have the work experience to ask about workplace safety.

3) Lack of understanding about workplace risks or safety rules. Some young workers report that they don’t really understand the safety instructions they are given but fail to admit this fact to employers because they are eager to make a good impression. Many young workers do not understand the risks of a job or do not appreciate the dangers of a job.

Young workers can make choices about workplace safety when they interview for a new job. Experts recommend that young workers ask their employers and potential employers these questions about work safety:

Continue reading "Many Injuries to Minors Occur on the Job " »

Many schools and even local after-school programs have been sending release forms home with children for years. The release forms were mandatory for a child to participate in a specific activity and essentially was a promise that the parent would not sue if the child suffered a personal injury as a result of the activity. The forms made it easier for insurance companies and gave activity planners some peace of mind.

The rules have now changed, after the Florida Supreme Court decided that such release forms are not valid for commercial activities such as ATV courses, go-carts and similar activities. Florida businesses can now be sued if any injuries to minors and children take place on the premises. Business will now have to improve their liability insurance or stop accepting children as patrons. Non-profit activities related to church groups, Scouts, school groups and other similar activities will not be affected by the ruling.

Some legal experts note that the new ruling does open up the possibility of lawsuits even in the case of non-profits, however, since commercial and non-profit activities are often combined for school aged children. For example, church groups or schools may want to take children to Disney World, a non-profit group may transport children via charter bus. Some attorneys predict that in these cases, lawsuits may result after the new ruling.

Attorney Bard Rockenbach, who was involved in the Florida Supreme Court that returned the ruling says that businesses should be able to run their businesses safely. He believes that the possibility of lawsuits will ensure that all Florida businesses do everything possible to make their businesses safe.

The Florida Supreme Court case of Kirton vs. Fields was the result of a fatal all-terrain vehicle ride. In 2003, a father allowed his child to take a ride on an all-terrain vehicle at a motorsport park. He signed waiver promising not to sue. The child was killed during a jump when the ATV landed on top of him. The family sued the park and a trial court sided with the motorsport park because of the waiver the father had signed. An appeals court had reversed the ruling before the case was heard before the Supreme Court.

At this time of year, many children are home from school more often and many families are planning for the holidays. The hectic schedule, increased presence of children and holiday trimmings can lead to plenty of personal injuries, experts claim. Among the biggest dangers:

1) Accidental poisonings. Holiday decorations can include poinsettias, mistletoe, and oils and products meant to smell like cranberries or gingerbread. These new items can prove to be very tempting for young children, especially when these products are scented. Pets can also be in danger of ingesting these potentially harmful products. Where possible, keep such items well out of reach and supervise children and pets closely.

2) Burn injuries. When families are busy and candles are left burning to bring holiday cheer to a home, fires can accidentally start. Children may also get to close to the flame. Additionally, fireplaces are often lit at this time of year, creating additional risks. Additional electrical use – in the form of outdoor decorations and indoor lights – can also pose fire hazards. Keeping candles and fireplaces monitored at all times can help prevent many fires and burn injuries. Checking the state of electrical wires and avoiding excessive electrical products in one outlet can help prevent electricity fires.

3) Accidental cuts and bruises. Broken holiday ornaments, sharp edges on toys and on decorations can cause cuts and other injuries. In households with children, it is a good idea to keep decorations high, away from children.

4) Injuries caused by defective products. Not all toys and products sold during the holiday season are safe to use. At this time of year, when most of us get several new items in our home, it is a good idea to remain alert to product recalls and to remove recalled products from the home at once.

5) Slip and fall injuries. Indoors, food preparation and some decorative items can cause spills. If these are not cleaned up right away, they can lead to slips and injuries. As guests visit our homes, it is also important to keep the driveways and walk-ways well-lit and clear of snow, water and ice.

While many Florida parents worry about scary stories and bad candy that could hurt children at Halloween, experts agree that there are more frightening risks lurking at this time of year, and many of those risks have to do with children’s Halloween costumes. Among the risks that parents should be aware of:

1) Slip and fall accidents. On Halloween night, streets are dark and may be slippery with spilled candy, fallen leaves, and pieces of broken carved pumpkins. Costumes that obstruct a clear vision of the sidewalk can mean that children slip and slide. In addition, too-long costumes can cause tripping and falling.

2) Car accidents. Costumes should be easily visible and should have lights or reflective pieces so that cars can easily see children who are out trick or treating. There are many children’s flashlights and strobe lights that can add to a child’s costume and can keep the child safe on Halloween night.

3) Burn injuries. Parents should look for flame retardant costumes, since jack o' lanterns, candles and other spooky decorations do pose a fire risk for children at this time of year. Also, longer costumes that drag around or have dropping sleeves can pose a greater fire hazard, since children may not always be aware of where their costume ends. Trim up costumes to keep trick and treaters safe.

4) Wounds and other injuries. All swords and props should be made from flexible, softer materials, so that children do not accidentally harm one another in play.

5) Other possible injuries. In addition to accidents, parents do need to be aware that not every adult is being cautious around children at Halloween. Parents should always accompany children who are out trick or treating. Many communities have initiatives such as safe areas for Halloween celebrations and Halloween patrols to help parents.

Public swimming pools are intended to be a safe place of recreation. Swimming pools in recreation centers, community centers, schools, and clubs all are required to have safety measures in place. The safety measures include barriers that prevent people from entering the pool after hours, on-duty lifeguards, and other safety precautions. Despite this, children and adults alike are injured in pools every year.

USA Safekids reports that for children ages 14 years of age and under, drowning constitutes the second major cause of injury-related fatality. In 2004 alone, 3702 children had near-drowning experiences that required emergency treatment. In about 40% of these cases, children had nearly drowned in swimming pools. According to the Drowning Prevention Foundation, 19% of childhood drowning deaths occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present. The Orange County California Fire Authority reports that a swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a car to cause the death of children 4 years of age and under.

Parents should not just be worried about fatalities, either. According to the National Safety Council, 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to near-drowning-related injuries. Of these an estimated 15% die in the hospital while another 20% suffer severe and permanent disability. Common pool-related injuries include broken limbs, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and other injuries.

Most experts agree that parents can help prevent these types of injuries by:

1) Making sure that someone is watching children at all times pool-side. Many accidents occur because someone watching children in the pool was momentarily distracted. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, 70% of preschool drowning victims are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning. 75% of these victims are only left unattended or unobserved for five minutes or less. Most children who die of drowning – 86% -- are found after 10 minutes while 92% of survivors are discovered within two minutes of submersion, according to the National Safe Kids Campaign. Clearly, ensuring that no one has submerged for a long time is essential. Having several parents or adults observing at all times is key. Asking children to get out of the pool periodically is also essential.

2) Covering pools when not in use. Parents should make it their business to ensure that outdoor pools and any sort of public pools are covered and are not a temptation for children. If you see a pool that is not safely secured, ask the owner of the building to secure it.

3) Teaching children to swim. Swimming classes that teach children water safety are a good way to ensure that children respect pools and know how to prevent injuries. Providing extra classes with a qualified instructor ensures that children have the strength and know-how to swim safely. CPR and emergency courses for any adults supervising children pool-side are also a good idea.

4) Ensuring that children don’t run or engage in other risky behavior near the pool. Slip and fall accidents can easily turn deadly if a child slips into the deep end of a pool and bumps his or her head on the way in.

Although Florida bus accidents are not very common, any bus accident is too many. Bus accidents lead to fatalities, permanent disability, brain injuries, broken limbs, disfigurement, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and much more. Obviously, they also cause immense distress for entire families. Since children are small and since most buses do not have safety belts, even minor accidents in a school bus can lead to serious injuries for children and minors.

Statistics show that, on average, about 20 students are killed each year in bus accidents. Another 6000 students are injured in bus-related accidents annually. While small buses that weigh less than 10,000 pounds are required by federal law to have seat belts, larges buses of at least 25,000 pounds do not need seat belts. Many experts think that increased seat belt availability would decrease fatalities and injuries, but not all experts agree. According to 2002 findings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts that close around the lap increase the chances that a child in a school bus accident will sustain serious abdominal or neck injuries. The same study concluded that most children and minors wear shoulder-style safety belts incorrectly and therefore run greater chances of more injury.

According to the National Safety Council students can decrease their risk of injury during the school year by:

1) Waiting for the school bus away from the street and traffic. A safe area to wait for the bus is important, since not all school bus accidents occur while a student is on board a bus. Many injuries occur while a child is getting on or off a school bus.

2) Keeping away from the bus until the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the bus driver signals the student to enter. School buses – especially the larger models – have many blind spots and it is important for a student to make sure that the driver sees him or her.

3) Keeping a distance. When exiting a bus, a student should leave promptly and take at least 10 large steps away from the bus. Students should always keep a large distance between themselves and a bus, as this gives the driver more visibility. Drivers cannot always see students standing very close to the bus, and this can cause accidents.

4) Using handrails. When entering and exiting a school bus, children should use handrails to prevent slipping and falling. Not all school bus injuries occur while the bus is in motion and a fall down the stairs of a bus can result in injury.

5) Staying alert of traffic when exiting and entering a school bus. Drivers are expected to follow certain rules when around school buses, but not all drivers do. Students should be taught to be alert for drivers not obeying traffic rules.

The National Research Council has found that school buses are actually much safer for children than being dropped off at school by their parents. Nevertheless, for every family that has lost a child to a school bus accident, school bus accidents -- even if they constitute only a small percentage of vehicle accidents -- still occur far too often. Now that back-to-school season is almost here for Florida families, many Florida parents are thinking about back to school safety. Bus safety is a big part of that.

A school bus accident is every parent’s nightmare. Although these accidents do not often happen, they can cause fatalities, permanent injury, brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, and other serious injuries. The panic after an accident, when parents try to learn whether their children are injured, is often deeply frightening and traumatic for the whole family.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, almost one million public school students rode on school buses in 2001 alone. Between1998 and 2002, 4,830 school buses in Florida were involved in accidents. These accidents involved 53 children who were outside a bus and 32,207 children who were inside a school bus. As a result of these accidents, there were six child fatalities. Four of these children were killed getting off and on a bus while two children were killed in the bus. 56 injuries were so severe that they required emergency treatment as a result of these accidents.

School bus drivers were found to be not at fault in these accidents 69% of the time. Poor weather conditions were also mostly ruled out as causes of the accidents. However, drivers of school buses during this period between 1998 and 2002 were found to be cited more often than other motorists for improper turns and improper backing. In research conducted on school bus accidents, it was found that the school bus loading and unloading area is generally the most dangerous for children since a driver cannot see children on all sides of the bus.

As a result of the research done into school bus accidents, a number of recommendations were made. These included better school bus driver training and improved loading zone safety. A report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles suggested that education programs for school bus safety include parents, children, as well as drivers so that everyone understands how child passengers can safely get on and off school buses. The report also suggested changes to safety belts and seating systems to make buses safer.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles report also concluded that private school buses performed better than public school buses in regard to the severity of bus crash injuries. Currently, all drivers who transport children must meet physical requirements, pass a yearly physical exam, and post a certificate. All school bus drivers also need to have at least 5 years of driving experience and must be able to pass a background check. Drivers must also complete 40 hours of training. Given that the requirements for bus drivers are the same for public and private schools, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles would like more research done as to why one set of drivers seems to fare better in bus accidents.

Pedestrian accidents claim the lives of many minors and children, and cause a host of injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious lifelong injuries. Since children are likely to be on foot, and since they often do not show the same alertness and awareness of cars around them as adults do, they're more likely to be in a pedestrian accident. Because of their relatively small size and weight, they're more likely to suffer fatal or serious injuries as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle.

According to USA Safekids.org, 599 pedestrian fatalities in 2002 involved children 14 years of age and younger. Almost 38,400 children ages 14 and under suffered pedestrian accident injuries that required hospital emergency treatment in 2003. USA Safekids.org reports that there are several things that parents can do to reduce childhood pedestrian accidents:

1) Teach children to be alert in areas where pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur. USA Safekids.org reports that children who are 14 years of age and under are more likely to be in a pedestrian accident in areas with no divided highways, high volume traffic, , a high number of parked vehicles on the street, and higher posted speed limits. Children should be supervised in such areas and should be taught to identify and show greater caution in such areas.

2) Have children play in areas far from roads. According to USA Safekids.org, children are more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents in areas where road traffic is nearby.

3) Petition your local government for pedestrian-control devices in areas where children walk – and encourage your child to properly use these devices where they exist. USA Safekids.org reports that areas with few such devices experience higher numbers of pedestrian accidents involving minors.

4) Supervise children even in residential areas and in areas that seem safe. USA Safekids.org reports that child pedestrian injuries are in fact more likely to take place in residential areas and straight, paved, and dry local roads. Children ages 4 and under should be supervised at all times near traffic, since this age group has the highest risk from child pedestrian death.

5) Teach children how to cross a sidewalk and how to enter a driveway safely. According to USA Safekids.org, almost 10% of child pedestrian injuries occur in driveways, usually when a vehicle is backing up. Teach children how to identify when a vehicle is backing up and show children where blind spots on a vehicle are.

According to media reports this summer, Florida leads the states in the number of children who are drowned in swimming pools. Now that summer has arrived, many families turn to swimming pools to beat the heat. However, many state experts claim that the habit leads to many fatalities as well as a wide range of injuries that include spinal cord injuries, broken limbs, brain injuries, and other problems. Unfortunately, children are most likely to be injured in swimming pools.

Earlier this summer, a six-year-old girl drowned at a pool party in Jacksonville. There were about six children in the pool and adults nearby, but no one saw the girl go under the surface. She was taken to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Unfortunately, this story is one of many tragedies that involves pools in Florida.

Experts agree that swimming lessons and training at an early age can help prevent pool accidents. Pool safety equipment can also be a good idea. However, many experts and parents think that equipment and lessons alone cannot help. They point out that in many cases safety-vacuum release systems may be answer. However, this has caused a great deal of controversy in Florida.

In 2007, the Florida Building Commission decided that new pools do not need to have a safety-vacuum release system. A safety-vacuum release device automatically detects a blocked drain and shuts off the drain. This removes the suction that may drag a child down under the surface. For now, these devices are optional and many blame the pool industry trade association pressure which successfully lobbied to make the devices optional.

Many parent and safety groups urge parents to have these devices installed in their pools. The pool builders association contends that the devices give homeowners a false sense of security that their pools are safer. They also argue that the devices do not work in cases where a child’s limbs, fingers, or hair get caught in the drain.

There are other ways besides the devices to keep children safer in pools. Careful supervision and frequent “everyone out of the pool” breaks are often a good idea, especially when a pool has many children in it. A well-maintained pool is also essential, as are many drains to reduce the suction. Anti-entrapment drain covers also help prevent accidents.

A very common injury to minors and children that most Florida parents do not even consider occurs when children’s clothing catches on fire, causing burn injuries. Clothing can burn when it comes into contact with high heat or an open flame. Sometimes, even a spark can cause clothes to burn. Children and adults can come into contact with cigarettes, candles, space heaters, grills, and flammable liquids, all of which can cause clothes to go up in flames. Children will sometimes play with matches and accidentally light their clothes on fire.

Children are especially vulnerable to injuries from flammable clothes because their clothing is often made of soft, thin fabric that easily burns – flannel and cotton. Unlike adults, children who find that their clothes are on fire may panic and might not know to “stop, drop, and roll.” Plus, children’s clothing tends to have a much smaller surface area, which means that flame can envelop the clothes – and the children – very quickly.

In some cases, flammable children’s clothing is a products liability issue. The Consumer Product Safety Commission oversees fabric flammability regulations. There are strict U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards under the Flammable Fabrics Act that are meant to protect consumers from injuries caused by flammable clothing. However, not every imported fabric or item of clothing meets the standards.

The Flammable Fabrics Act prevents dangerously flammable clothing from being imported or sold. The Consumer Products Safety Commission runs tests to determine the safety of various clothing items and fabrics and recalls any clothing that fails a flammability test. Children’s sleepwear and mattresses and mattress pads have a stricter test they must pass in order to gain approval by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. However, the Consumer Products Safety Commission is not always able to test all products in time and injuries still can result.

Parents can keep their children safe by examining fabrics and clothing for safety. Read the label – some fabrics are clearly marked as being tested. Also, select snugger fitting clothing for children. It is less likely to go up in flame so fast. Children three and older can be taught to stop, drop, and roll. Practice with children so that they know what to do. The best prevention, of course, is to make sure that children are not at risk of burn injuries. Keep flammable liquids, matches, and lighters well out of children’s reach and supervise children to ensure that they do not play with fire. Check space heaters and other appliances to ensure that they are in good shape and do not give off too much heat. Make sure that heaters and other household appliances have not been recalled due to fire hazard. Any recalled products should be returned to the store at once.

Continue reading "A Common Injury to Minors and Children – Injuries From Flammable Clothing" »

There are many types of injuries to minors and children. Some result from playground accidents or childhood accidents, but perhaps the more insidious injuries occur because someone deliberately harms a child. No parent wants to consider abduction as a possibility, but each in Florida and across the country, child abduction can occur.

Child abduction creates many hazards for a child. If a child is abducted by a stranger, that stranger obviously does not usually have the child’s best interests at heart. The abductor may harm the child intentionally. Even in custody cases where a parent abducts a child from a custodial parent, though, injuries can occur. The abducting parent may be distracted and may get into a car accident while trying to leave with the child, for example. The parent may even be neglectful accidentally, due to the stress of trying to conceal his or her whereabouts.

According to The United States Department of Justice, 49% of all child kidnappings are committed by a relative, often a parent. 27% of all child kidnappings are committed by someone the child knows. The United States Department of Justice reports that parents can help reduce the possibility of kidnapping by:

1) Supervising children. Most abductions (60%) occur in public areas such as playgrounds, school yards, and trails. Supervising children outside the home can ensure that abductions are less likely to occur.

2) Teaching children to avoid some of the common tricks that perpetrators use. Strangers will often offer a bribe, lie about an emergency, ask for help, or pose as someone in authority in order to lure a child away. Act out these possible scenarios with your children and teach them what they can do in each case to stay safe. Teach your children what police cars and police officer uniforms look like. Show your child how to stand out of reaching distance when offering directions. Teach your child to run away from a car in the opposite way it is pointed in.

3) Have a secret code word that you tell your child not to tell anyone. Tell your child that if you ever need an adult to find them and pick them up, that adult will be told the keyword. Instruct your child to never go home with an adult who does not know that secret word.

4) Select babysitters and other child caretakers carefully. Choose trustworthy caretakers and check their backgrounds to ensure that your child will be safe in their care. Always check references and hire a new caretaker if you have any nagging doubts.

5) Be prepared. Even if you take every precaution, you cannot prevent every problem. Being able to respond quickly if you think your child is abducted can ensure that your child is returned to you sooner. To that end, make sure that you take pictures of your child at least every six months. Keep these photos in your wallet and at home. Keep a complete written description on your child at home. This should include height, weight, hair and eye color, and any distinguishing features. If your child is missing, you don’t want to overlook anything important. Make sure your child’s dentist maintains current dental records for your child and keep copies if your child’s fingerprints as well.

Many serious injuries to minors and children occur to those who are least able to defend themselves: infants. Infants have few instincts to protect themselves and most homes contain enough dangers to cause everything from burn injuries to brain injuries and broken bones. You can prevent serious injuries in your home by baby-proofing your home. You can do this by:

1) Getting safety latches or locks for bathroom cabinets and kitchen drawers and cupboards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that these are needed on any drawers and cupboards where you store household chemicals, small items, and sharp objects. Latches and locks can prevent poisonings and other injuries. Door locks and door knob covers are other important safety devices that can help prevent kinds from entering dangerous areas such as spas, saunas, and pools.

2) Install safety gates. These should be installed at the top and bottom of any stairs in your home, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Safety gates can help prevent falls. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that parents look for the safety certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) on any safety gate they buy.

3) Install scalding controls. These controls for your faucets can prevent burn injuries from hot water.

4) Add window guards to all windows and safety netting below landings and decks. These devices can help prevent falls, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

5) Apply edge bumpers and corner bumpers to sharp edges on your furniture, walls, and fireplace. These can help prevent bumps and cuts. Many parents do not realize how sharp furniture can be for young arms and legs.

6) Install outlet covers and plates on all electrical outlets. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that these can help prevent electrocution.

Continue reading "Baby-Proofing Your Florida Home to Prevent Injuries to Minors and Children" »

While injuries to Florida minors and children are always tragic, injuries and accidents that occur to babies can be especially tragic. Since babies are so fragile, even minor accidents and injuries can have serious repercussions. Plus, since infants are not able to talk, injuries may go unnoticed and determining what is wrong can be challenging. It is not always possible to notice a brain injury or even a skin problem at once, which is why it is crucial to take children to see a medical professional if any injury has occurred. Once infants become more mobile, especially, their curiosity and desire to explore can lead them into dangerous situations. Parents can reduce infant injuries by:

1) Look at their homes from an infant’s perspective. Get down on your hands and kneed and you will quickly see the dangerous items within a child’s reach. Remove every fragile item that can be broken as well as anything that can be placed in the infant’s mouth and may cause a choking hazard. Check each room on your hands and knees, collecting small and potentially hazardous items. You will have to do this regularly, since some of the commonplace objects that can fall on the floor – including pens, buttons, and other items – can be dangerous for an infant.

2) Check your baby’s clothes. Not all clothes are safe. Any too-large item can pose a choking hazard if your infant struggles out of the clothing. No infant’s clothing should have drawstrings, headbands, ribbons, strips of fabric or loose strings – all can be dangerous, as can necklaces. Simple baby clothes are best.

3) Look for loose cords in your home. Any electrical, telephone and window-treatment cords should be tied up well out of baby’s reach.

4) Check you baby’s crib for safety. Stuffed toys, loose bedding, and pillows should not be kept in the crib. Once your child can sit up, remove bumper pads as well. The crib sides should be even with the footboard and headboard and the railings should be only 2 3/8 inches apart or less. Make sure that the mattress fits firmly in the crib and if a mattress cover is needed, choose one with a zipper. Make sure that the crib itself is newer and has not been recalled due to safety issues. Check with the manufacturer periodically to ensure that the crib has not been recalled. Make sure that the crib is well out of the way of windows, diaper bags, or mobiles.

5) Once your baby begins to crawl, he or she will try to pull himself or herself up by furniture. This is the time to remove tablecloths, hanging objects, and other dangers. Make sure that every piece of furniture is sturdy and attached to the wall. Lock any cupboards and closet doors that lead to storage areas that contain household chemicals and other dangerous goods. Be especially wary of televisions, which can easily tip over.

Continue reading "Accidents to Infants Are An Especially Tragic Type of Injury to Minors and Children" »

Children are susceptible to choking because they often place small objects in their mouths. When these objects are swallowed, they can become lodged in the throat or windpipe, which blocks the flow of air. Choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, which makes it an emergency. Choking can lead to brain injury if the brain is depleted of oxygen long enough and it can also lead to death.

Most people who are choking will clutch their throat. Other signs of choking include:

1) Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing.
2) Inability to speak or cough.
3) Loss of consciousness.
4) Change of color of the skin, lips and nails. In someone who is choking, the skin, lips and nails may turn blue or dusky.

If someone is choking, perform the Heimlich maneuver to get the foreign object out of the victim’s windpipe or throat. If there is more than one person present, have one person call the emergency number on your area (or 911) while the other person performs the Heimlich maneuver. If you are the only person present, perform the Heimlich maneuver first and then call for help.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver:

1) Stand behind the victim who is choking. Place your arms around his or her waist. Gently tip the victim forward a little.
2) Make a fist and place the fist just a little above the person’s navel.
3) Take the fist into your other hand. Press hard into the victim’s abdomen. Use a quick, upward thrust to do this. It may help to pretend that you are using the same gesture you might use if you were trying to lift the victim up.
4) Repeat the upward thrust motion until the object in the mouth is dislodged. You will usually be able to tell because the object may expel from the victim’s mouth with some force.
5) Keep the victim calm and get them checked out by a doctor, if necessary.

If you are alone and you begin to choke, you may not be able to rely on anyone else to help you. In this situation, you will have to perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. To do this:

Continue reading "Choking is a Key Injury to Minors and Children " »

Even the most careful parents cannot prevent every childhood injury. In many cases, injuries to minors and children occur even when a parent has done everything possible to be cautious. If your child’s injury is a burn injury, this is what you must do:

1) If your child has sustained a thermal injury by touching a source of high heat, such as a flame, hot liquid, steam, or hot appliance:
*Take your child away from the source of heat and either turn the appliance off or put out the flame.
*If the injury is severe, call 911 and follow the direction provided by the dispatcher until help arrives.
*If possible, remove burned or hot clothing.
*Place the affected area under running water within 30 seconds of the injury.
*Halt any bleeding, using a clean cloth or sterile gauze pad.
*Keep the child’s body temperature constant.

2) If your child has sustained a chemical burn by touching a powerful acid or base such as pool chlorine, bleach, concrete mix, or some other substance:

*If the injury is severe, call 911 and follow the direction provided by the dispatcher until help arrives.
*Read the label on the chemical to learn of any special instruction in case of skin contact. Follow any directions given.
*Rinse the injured are with cool, running water. Do this for 20 minutes or more. If the burning agent is a powder, dust it off thoroughly before rinsing.
*Even if you haven’t called 911, talk to your local emergency room, doctor, walk-in clinic or poison control center. With a chemical burn, you have no way of knowing whether the chemical has penetrated. A bad reaction can occur later on if the injury is left untreated.

3) If your child has sustained an electrical burn by coming into contact with powerful electric currents, burn injuries may not be noticeable. However, you must:

*Call 911 and follow the direction provided by the dispatcher until help arrives.
*Evaluate to see whether the child is still in contact with the electrical source. If he or she is, do not touch the child.
*Shut off the electrical current or pull the plug on the appliance, if safe to do so.
*Give CPR if the child is not breathing.
*If there are any obvious burns, cover clean cloth or gauze. Avoid using any fluffy material, as it can make the burn worse.
*Avoid moving the child unless instructed by a medical professional. The tissues in the body may be damaged by the electricity.

If your child has suffered a burn injury due to someone’s recklessness or due to a possible product liability case, you need to contact a qualified Florida attorney to prevent others from being injured in the same way. You will also want to get the best possible help for your child, and a good Florida lawyer can ensure that you get this help. If you need an experienced Florida attorney, arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN).

According to the Shriners of North America, fire is responsible for 600 deaths of children 14 and under each year. Another 3,400 children experience burn injuries as a result of fire. Almost half of children who sustain fire-related injuries are younger than 5 years of age. According to the Shriners of North America, parents can safeguard their children by:

* Installing smoke detectors on every level of a home. It is especially important to place smoke detectors on the ceiling just outside bedroom doors. Always follow manufacturer’s directions when positioning and installing smoke detectors. One a month, test the detectors and replace batteries once a year.

*Develop a fire plan. Instruct your family on how to escape from each room. Have at least two ways to escape from each room. If you children’s rooms are on a second or third floor, provide chain ladders which can be used in event of an emergency. Practice the fire plan at least twice a year.

*Have a first aid kit in your home and replace items as they expire or are used up. Place emergency numbers and information in the kit or near your phone for easy access.

*Develop a safe home. Keep lighters, matches, and appliances out of reach of children. Never leave appliances such as fryers or burning items such as candles unattended, even for short periods of time. Store propane and gasoline outdoors, in a well-ventilated area. Unplug electrical appliances when not in use and check periodically to see whether the appliances you use have been recalled due to product liability claims or fire hazards. Set your water heater to 120-125 degrees Fahrenheit.

*Supervise children constantly. Many serious personal injuries to minors and children occur because a child was left unsupervised for just a short while.

*When bathing your children, make sure that you add cold water and then gradually hot water. Do not allow your children to play with the faucets.

A study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine finds that the number of traumatic head injuries among high school football athletes is much higher than the number of the same personal injuries in college football. The study also find that high school players who sustain brain injuries such as concussions often return to the game too soon, often playing with the residual effects of their first injury, a choice that researchers point out is extremely dangerous. Florida parents should be wary: with more days of sunny weather, there are simply more options for Florida high school athletes to keep playing, which can spell trouble.

The study found that football-related brain trauma has decreased over generations, mostly due to better gear. In the 1950s and 1960s, football players in both college and high school were at much greater risk for brain injury than they are today, the study found.

The problem, the study concluded, is that some high school football player return to the field even while experiencing neurological symptoms. Researchers found that there is one severe football head injury for every 150,000 high school football players, which is about seven catastrophic head injuries every year. Researchers uncovered that high school players have over triple the risk of catastrophic head trauma when compared to college players. While high school football players suffered 0.67 such injuries per 100,000 players, college athletes sustained only 0.21 injuries per 100,000 players.

The younger age of the high school players may contribute to brain injury, some researchers have hypothesized, since the skull bone may be thinner and the brain less fully developed among teenage athletes. Others researchers have suggested that less medical coverage may be present at high school games.

Of the high school football players that researchers studied, 59% had had a previous head injury. 71% of these injured players had sustained their earlier injury in the same season. Roughly 40% of the players with head injuries continued to play football, even while experiencing symptoms from the previous injury. About 81% of the injuries occurred when players were involved in helmet-to-body or helmet-to-helmet collisions. Of the group studied, the injuries lead to 8 fatalities, 36 full recoveries, and 46 permanent brain injuries.

Researchers concluded that high school students should be strongly urged to report any possible symptoms of personal injury to their coaches, parents, and physicians. Additionally, the researchers concluded that football players should be strongly discouraged from "leading with the head" and from returning to the game until all symptoms are resolved. Finally, the researchers concluded that medical staff for high school athletes should be highly qualified.

If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury as a result of sports or an accident, a qualified Florida attorney can help ensure that you get the best quality medical care possible. If you need to speak to an attorney, book a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Florida attorney simply by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN).

In Florida and across the country, children are the most common victims of dog bites and attacks. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that many children and infants simply do not know how to act around dogs and may inadvertently make the dog feel threatened, causing the animal to attack. Experts agree that there are many things that parents can do to help avoid serious injuries that can occur with dog bites. This is especially important since children are more likely to suffer serious personal injury as a result of dog bites. For example, since dogs can be easily reach a child's face and head, severe scarring and even brain injuries can occur when a child is bitten by an animal.

If you want to own a dog for a pet, you will need to select the breed carefully, since children are statistically more likely to be bitten by their own dog. Speak with the veterinarian to learn about dog breeds and select one that will be least aggressive. The least aggressive possible dogs are neutered male dogs, so consider getting this type of pet, especially if you have small children.

Once you brought your dog into your home, take it to obedience school in order to train it how to behave around children. Make sure that your pet is regularly checked by a veterinarian and all immunizations are up-to-date. It is equally important, to teach your children how to behave around dogs. For example, you should always teach your children to never approach a dog -- and that includes the family pet -- when it is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

Do not leave young children alone with the dog, even if the animal is the family pet. Supervised play should be encouraged, especially at the beginning when children and the pet have not yet become accustomed to one another. Similarly, it is important to always supervise children around the pet when your child's friends come over. Even if the animal is used to your own children, it may still react negatively when new children come into the home and are excited and loud around the dog.

If you have introduced a dog into your home, your children may feel more comfortable around dogs. Therefore, it is important to teach your children to never approach strange dogs. Explain that other dogs may not be as gentle natured or as used to them as the family pet is. Have children report any stray dogs or playing with any dogs to you.

Be sure to also teach children how to properly approach a dog. Show your children that it's important to let a dog first sniff them before they attempt to pet it. You should also instruct children not to tease dogs. This is important, because what many pet owners would see as “teasing” many children would simply see as playing with the dog. It's important that children know the difference. Similarly, it is important that children are taught not to play aggressively with the dog. Trying to wrestle with the family puppy, for example, will encourage that puppy to continue roughhousing even as it grows in size. This can lead to inadvertent biting as the dog grows up.

During summer in Florida, many children who are not attending school or summer camp spend countless hours outside, playing and participating in sports. This means that there are a number of common injuries to minors and children that take place during this time. Sports injuries, such as sprains, are very common at this time of year. Parents should know what to do to prevent and treat such sports-related injuries.

A sprain, one of the more common playground and sport related injuries, is an injury which tears or stretches a ligament. The ligament is the tissue that connects bones at a joint. Many things can cause this type of injury. Car accidents, getting hit with a ball, slip and fall accidents, twisting a limb, all can cause the ligaments around the joint to tear or stretch. In many cases, sprains are to the ankles, wrists, and thumbs, although any ligaments can be affected.

Your child may have a sprain if they display the following symptoms: bruising, pain, swelling, and inability to move to the joint. A sprain can be severe, moderate, or mild. In some cases, the injured party may feel a tear or pop when the injury occurs.

Another injury common to minors and children playing sports is a strain. This type of injury occurs when the tissue that connects muscle to bone is torn or stretched. Again, this injury is often caused by falling, twisting, and other similar accidents. However, strains can also occur when muscles are overtaxed, through heavy lifting and other strenuous activity. The signs and symptoms of a strained include muscle spasms, muscle weakness, cramping, swelling, stiffness in the muscle, and pain.

In both cases parents should take their children in to see a doctor in order to evaluate the injury. Even relatively minor sports injuries should be investigated, since they may require doctor supervision in order to heal properly. Doctors often recommend that for strains and sprains, the injured area should be rested. Ice may be recommended on the injury for of 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day. Some entries require special bandages casts, splints, boots, or other items in order to squeeze the injury and allow the muscle or ligament to heal properly. Your physician may also recommend medicine in order to ease the pain.

Doctors recommend that in order to avoid sports related injuries to minors and children, parents should ensure that children only exercise when they're in good physical shape and well rested. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and maintaining a well-balanced diet also ensures that muscles, bones, and ligaments are strong and healthy. Proper shoes, protective equipment, and a play area that is flat and well-maintained can also help reduce injuries. Warm-ups after sports and cool-down periods after physical activity can also prevent unnecessary strain on ligaments and muscles, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Now that school is out in Florida, many children are dropped off at daycare centers, camp, babysitters, or other places of care. Many children are outdoors more often, and for many young ones, that means quality time on playgrounds. While playgrounds can be a fun way for children to stay active while enjoying plenty of fresh air, they can also be hazardous.

Each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 200 000 children under the age of 14 years are treated for in emergency rooms for injuries sustained on playgrounds. These injuries can be severe, ranging from strangulation, brain injury, internal injuries, amputations, fractures, and spinal cord injuries. In fact, the CDC reports that about 45% of injuries sustained on playgrounds are severe.

According to the CDC, playground injuries can occur at school, at daycare, at camp and even at residential playgrounds. Although studies suggest that 75% of nonfatal playground-related injuries occur on public playgrounds, the CDC suggests that parents remain vigilant and check all toys and play areas where their children play.

In the ten years leading up to 2000, 147 young children across the country died from injuries sustained on the playground. Of these children, according to the CDC, 56% dies of strangulation and 20% died of falls.

Parents will want to ensure that children playing on swings, climbers and other playground equipment are always supervised. All equipment should be checked for safety before children are allowed to play. When installing playground equipment at home, parents should ensure that there is plenty of cushion under all equipment in case of falls. Parents should select equipment that has a good safety rating and should follow directions carefully when setting up and using the playground.

In Florida, children visit hospitals, clinics, and doctors throughout the summer. While health care professionals are in the business of healing, however, medical errors are a leading cause of death among all age groups. According to a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, rates of medical errors injuring children were comparable to error rates for adults. The major difference was that the rate for possible adverse drug events was three times higher in children.

Adverse drug effects, misdiagnoses, and other medical errors can cause serious personal injury, including neurological damage and permanent disability. To keep your child safe and to prevent medical malpractice suits later, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) suggests that parents use the following tips each time medical care is required:

1) Stay involved. AHRQ has found that the largest risk for medical errors among children is often parent involvement. When physicians and other health care workers do not communicate well with parents, that makes it harder for parents to make informed decisions. Parents who stay involved in every decision made about their child’s care and who ask lots of questions greatly reduce the possibility of medical error.

2) Share all information – again and again. According to the AHRQ, parents should share a child’s medical history, allergies, and weight with every health care worker the child receives care from. It is not enough to assume the physician will read the chart. To prevent medical interaction, the AHRQ suggests that parents bring along all the medication a child currently uses in a bag to every appointment or hospital visit. Parents should always clarify that any new medication given will not interact with current medication.

3) Be vigilant about allergies. Having your child wear a medical bracelet outlining allergies is important. Reminding health care workers about allergies is also a good idea.

4) Be careful about drug errors. If you cannot read the doctor's handwriting on your child’s prescription, your pharmacist may face the same problem. Do not be shy about asking the doctor to rewrite the prescription, printing the name of the medication. When picking up the medication at the pharmacy, ask the pharmacist to double-check that the medication you are getting is the medication that has actually been prescribed. The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences reported that 88% of medicine errors involved the wrong medication or dose, so being vigilant is important.

Continue reading "Injuries to Minors And Children Can Happen in Florida Hospitals – Here’s What to Do" »

Youth violence became an issue in the 1990s, when a veritable epidemic of violent acts perpetrated by and against young people seemed to hit the nation. While statistics show that youth robbery, rape, and homicide have declined since 1983, arrests for aggravated assault remain very high.

In Florida, teenagers and youth are now spending additional time with their peer groups. Summer means absence from the structures of school. Florida youth often spend part of their summer time unsupervised and with friends their own age. This can mean that minors can come into contact with youth violence during their summer vacations. In fact, Florida attorneys each year receive frantic calls from parents who have minors who have sustained injuries caused by another young person.

Youth violence is more than just a passing phase. Violence – whether caused by adults or younger persons – can cause permanent injuries. Aggravated assault perpetrated by teenagers can prove fatal and can cause brain injury and fractures. Weapons violence can lead to burn injuries and even spinal cord injuries. These wounds can mean months of school lost for a young victim. Young victims may find their future careers hampered by youth violence as well.

Experts believe that peer association is the single biggest risk factor in youth violence. Parents should get to know their children’s friends and should act on any disturbing violent behaviour at once. Reporting violence is important in stopping the crime. Sometimes, teens will not share their friend problems with a parent. However, signs of withdrawal, bruising, and moodiness can all be warning signs that a peer group is not healthy.

The Surgeon General’s Report on youth violence youth violence intervention and prevention programs are one positive way to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by young offenders. These programs, the Surgeon General’s Report suggests, need to be integrated with communities, schools, and individuals to be truly effective.

Continue reading "Florida Youth Violence A Concern " »

Each year, Florida attorneys are contacted about childhood tragedies involving water injuries. In the summer, especially, Florida lawyers are often contacted by distraught family members after a young child is drowned or sustains a serious injury while swimming in a river, pool, or lake. Florida summers mean cooling dips in the water, but parents and children need to take precautions to ensure water safety.

In 2004 alone, there were an average of nine unintentional fatal drowning in the United States per day, according to the CDC. These statistics do not include the water injuries caused by boating accidents. The CDC further reports that for every child under 14 years of age who dies from drowning, 5 were seriously injured in the water and required emergency treatment and hospitalization.

Water injuries to children can cause serious injury. Bone fractures are common poolside injuries. Brain injuries that result in loss of basic function, loss or memory, and learning disabilities also commonly affect children who have been seriously injured while swimming. Diving accidents commonly cause spinal cord injuries as well. Naturally, all these injuries can affect a child’s ability to develop normally and attend school.

Despite efforts to encourage safe swimming, drowning continues to be the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children between the ages of 1 and14 years of age. Many children under the age of one drown or sustain serious water injury in bathtubs, toilets, or buckets, according to statistics. For children between ages one and 4, most drowning deaths occur in residential pools. In these cases, the children are usually in the care of a parent and wander outside the home and into a pool.

According to the CDC, several things can be done to reduce drowning deaths and childhood water-related injury this summer. First, adult supervision should always be present when children are near water. Supervising adults should be alert and not distracted. Early childhood swimming lessons can help children learn the water safety and swimming skills they need to stay safe in the water.

Parents and other adults who routinely supervise children should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other first aid skills. Having these skills can help save a child’s life. The CDC also advises parents with pools to install pool fences and other barriers to keep pools safe. Removing toys from pools can also encourage children not to wander into the pool area.

The recent tragedy at VirginiaTech once again shone the spotlight on school violence. Although that tragedy garnered nationwide headlines, smaller instances of school violence do not usually make the news. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many students across the country are exposed to traumatic events at school and at home. Parents should be aware that while violence and traumatic events in the schools can cause physical injuries – such as burns, cuts, wounds, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other forms of injury – it can also cause stress and trauma, which needs to be addressed.

Minors and children exposed to school violence and other traumatic events may react with grief, sadness, and anger. Communication with loved ones may break down and students may try to isolate themselves as they deal with their emotions. Some students seem to handle the trauma very well, only to experience suffering at some later point in time. Students who have witnessed a traumatic event at school may have disturbing memories or nightmares. They may have trouble eating, sleeping, or concentrating normally and they may feel nervous or simply numb. While all these responses are normal, it is important that affected students speak with someone and get support from family or professionals.

It is helpful if victims and witnesses of a traumatic event can maintain a normal routine and take good care of themselves while recovering from a trauma. Although time will diminish some of the symptoms of stress, taking drugs or alcohol or taking part in other self-destructive activities can severely delay healing, according to the CDC.

Parents can help their children in cases of trauma. The CDC suggests that parents speak with their children after a traumatic event. While pressuring students to open up is rarely a good idea, asking questions such as “What do you think about what has happened?” or “Why do you think this may have happened?” can start a conversation that students can then direct. Parents should ask not only immediately after an event, but should follow up weeks and even months after an event has passed, to make sure that children and teens continue to cope well.

The CDC also points out that it is important for parents to keep an eye out for troubling behavior. Even relatively minor problems such as changes in eating or sleeping patterns can signal that a child or teen is having trouble coping. Sudden changes, such as the use of alcohol and drugs, need to be addressed immediately.

Talking with other parents, school officials, and health professionals is important, according to the CDC. Parents can share information and strategies and professionals can help provide important resources and help. It is important for parents to realize that having an injured or traumatized child at home is stressful for the entire family. If a parent can discuss the situation with a third party, which can often help the stress levels inside the home.

If your child or minor has suffered trauma or an injury due to school violence or some other traumatic event, you may wish to contact a qualified Florida attorney. A good Florida lawyer can help ensure that your child gets the best help possible to overcome the stress.

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is encouraging all employers to ensure that job safety is a key focus as summer hiring season is set to start. According to the L&I, many seasonal workers in the summer are teens or minors and workers under 18 are injured on the job twice as often as adults. The L&I is calling for more training, good supervision and lots of repetition to reduce the accident rate. To prevent injuries to minors and children, the L&I is also encouraging employers to obey laws which prevent teens from working with dangerous equipment and materials.

Research by the L&I suggests that almost half of the injuries to minors take place during the initial six months on a new job. Most of these injuries are slips and falls, burn injuries, and cuts, but some are fatal or lead to life-long disability. Each year, some teens die while working a summer job.

According to the L&I, minors on the job are more at risk because they do not recognize risks which may appear obvious to older workers. At the same time, younger workers may be less willing to ask a supervisor questions. Therefore, it is important for employers to explain all risks to teen employees and to teach employees how to avoid or minimize those risks.

The good news is that workplace injuries to minors have been reduced by almost one-third in the past ten years. The L&I believes that with some effort on the part of employers, this number can be reduced even more.

Florida has a strong seasonal summer work force, and some of those workers are minors. Florida minors routinely take amusement park jobs, lifeguard jobs, clerical jobs, and agricultural jobs, to name just a few, in order to earn spending money or in order to save for college. Even younger children may decide to try a paper route or some other employment to earn money during the summer.

Employers hiring children or minors need to ensure that they follow all laws regarding employment of minors. Employers should also provide extra supervision and training for their employees. Choosing age-appropriate work for younger employees is also an excellent idea. Younger workers can be enthusiastic and a valuable addition to the workplace. A little extra care from employers can keep these workers safer on the job, as well.

SAFE KIDS is a worldwide association dedicated to preventing unintentional childhood injury. Currently, unintended injuries kill more American children than suicide, violence, and disease. In fact, unintentional injury is the number one killer of children in this country. Injuries to minors and children are preventable and are a serious problem, according to SAFE KIDS.

Unintentional injury is the number one cause of disability and death for Florida children 14 years of age and younger. Each year, more than 250 000 Florida children are treated in emergency rooms as a result of unintentional injuries and 7 000 children in Florida are admitted to hospitals each year because of these injuries. Treatment and hospital admissions costs for childhood unintentional injuries are more than $100 million annually in Florida alone, according to SAFE KIDS statistics.

According to SAFE KIDS, injuries to minors and children are most likely to be a result of:

* automobile and traffic accidents (including pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents)
* fires and burns
* firearm accidents
* drowning
* slip and falls
* poisoning
* suffocation or choking
* farm-related injuries

SAFE KIDS Florida is teamed with the Florida Department of Health, Office of Injury Prevention, and SAFE KIDS Worldwide. The group organizes awareness campaigns and organizes local chapters which identify and target local injury factors. SAFE KIDS creates programs which aim to reduce injuries to minors. The group offers safety tips and raises awareness about recalls that can affect children. SAFE KIDS Florida has a team of public health officials, EMS, health care practitioners, firefighters, teachers, and business professionals who help with programs and campaigns. Right now, there are 6 Florida SAFE KIDS chapters and 11 local coalitions of SAFE KIDS in Florida.

Parents who wish to learn more about keeping children safe and wish to contribute to the work that SAFE KIDS is involved in can join a local chapter or coalition. Non-members can turn to SAFE KIDS when teaching their children about safety as well.

Continue reading "Can SAFE KIDS Reduce Injuries to Minors and Children in Florida?" »

Children are at risk in the US. The statistics gathered each year about injuries to minors and children would give any parent pause. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 teens die from work injuries each year and about 77,000 are taken to a hospital emergency room because of workplace-related injuries each year.

Work is not the only hazard to minors. The CDC reports that 906,000 children in the United States were maltreated in 2002. The same source reported that in 2004 1,638 children died as in car accidents, and approximately 214,000 were injured in automobile accidents. The CDC also reports that children 14 years and younger account for 45% of all fireworks-relate injuries each year.

Even playtime is not without its hazards: The CDC reports that each year 200 000 children 14 years of age or younger are treated in hospital for injuries incurred on the playground. The CDC reports that children 4 and under are at the highest risk for injury in fires. Children 14 years of age and younger are also at risk for brain injury, according to the same source. Each year, 2,685 children die from brain injuries, 37,000 are hospitalized for brain injuries and 435,000 visit emergency departments each year due to head trauma.

The CDC reports that many children each year receive medical treatment for near-drowning, which can result in serious injury. In 2004, over 750,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 needed to visit emergency departments because of violence that lead to injury.

The CDC publishes a number of brochures and informative papers about preventing childhood injuries. Among these brochures, a common theme emerges: awareness and monitoring can go a long way towards preventing injuries to minors. Adults responsible for children can ensure that younger children are always supervised at play. Simple safety devices – such as car seats or seatbelts in cars and safety jackets on boats – can help prevent injury in the case of an accident. Being aware of a child’s habits and friends can help prevent injury due to violence or bullying. Parents can also be aware of any potential dangers in the home – dangers such as poisonous chemicals in household products or sharp surfaces – and can either remove those dangers or take steps to ensure that children in the home are not affected by the dangers.