Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

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 e