Child Injury Lawyer Blog
In professional sports, there is a wide gambit of behavior for coaches and players. Many are wonderful role models who use their celebrity, good work, and inspiration to help others and improve the community and beyond. Other professional athletes, however, by a single act or many bad acts put the league and professional sports in general in a bad light. The National Football League is tested on a daily basis to bring entertainment to the masses while at the same time policing its own players, coaches, and other personnel. It is a tough balancing act but an important one especially since the players and coaches are looked upon for guidance, inspiration, and, yes for role modeling. Recently, the NFL issued a firm statement regarding the playing status and suspension of one of the finest athletes in the NFL – Adrian Peterson. While the suspension was handed down to one individual by the name of Adrian Peterson, the carefully and well crafted words of Roger Goodell took a strong stance against corporal punishment and child abuse. As so aptly pointed out by Goodell, the injury was inflicted on a child who was only 4 years old. Goodell pointed out that the size and strength of the child was so much different than that of Peterson. Furthermore, Goodell pointed out that unlike an adult – a child had no realistic ability to fight back, flee, or seek the assistance of law enforcement. Then, Goodell noted that the switch (i.e. tree branch) was the equivalent of a weapon that Peterson repeatedly used on his son. Goodell then noted that Peterson indicated that he would not stop “whopping his kids” in the future. (It should be noted that Peterson recently stated that he would never use a switch again on his son.) These statements caused much concern to Goodell about Peterson’s proclivity to repeat these criminal acts and inflict harm on a defenseless child. Because of all of the above and more, the NFL is requiring Peterson to undergo counseling and to sit out the rest of the 2014 season. His reinstatement in 2015 will depend on Peterson’s compliance and the results of counseling and treatment.
Articles Posted in Child Safety
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What are Common Dangers in Apartment Complexes, Hotels, and Motels for Children? (Windows)
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Seattle Washington and other cities throughout the United States, there is a common danger in many apartment complexes, hotels, and motels. An unsecured window can present a great danger to children of all ages and sizes. A thin screen is typically insufficient to serve as a safety device. This is evident by the thousands of injuries that take place every year resulting from falls from unsecured window areas. A tragic incident was recently reported in Seattle Washington in which a 2 year old child fell from a third story window in an apartment building operated by the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services. You can read more about this story at 2 Year Old Suffers Fatal Personal Injuries From Fall Out of Third Floor Window.
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What are the Dangers of Old Building and Window Codes to Children?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Missouri and other States, there are dangers in virtually every community in the form of old buildings and old building codes. In Springfield, Missouri and other cities, many buildings are not subject to current building codes. Some of the newer codes require stricter regulations as to the construction and security in and around windows. This can be especially dangerous for children living in or visiting multi-story townhouses, homes, apartment complexes, and commercial buildings. With older codes, there are less restrictions as to window barriers and screens. This, in turn, can present a danger to children. It was reported in Springfield, Missouri recently that a 4 year old fell put of a third floor window and tragically died from the fall related personal injuries. See 4 Year Old Child Dies in Springfield, Missouri.
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Does a Gym have a Duty of Reasonable Care as to the Babysitting – Child Care Area?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In the United States, some businesses including gyms have undertaken the responsibility of babysitting or child care while members are in other parts of the facility. A gym has no duty per se to watch children in general. Furthermore, there typically is no legal requirement for a gym to create, monitor, or supervise a child care area; however, when a gym undertakes or assumes a duty or responsibility then it should do so in a reasonable manner. Some people may believe that there are no regulations for a gym day care center. As such, a gym day care center or child care – babysitter area can act as it pleases and staff as desired. These type of unregulated day care centers should still be subject to a reasonable care standard. For instance, a gym cannot and should hire a convicted child sex offender to watch and care for the children at the day care center. This goes the same for a person with a violent criminal history. Furthermore, the gym child care area should be reasonably inspected for hazards and reasonably maintained by the staff of the gym. As for supervision, this should also be set forth by a reasonable standard. For instance, jump ropes and twine should not be left around infants and toddlers as there is a risk of strangulation. All poisons and other hazards should be kept away from the access of the children at the gym babysitting area.
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How can Child Care Providers ACT to prevent Heat Stroke and Hot Car Personal Injuries and Deaths?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A problem that has been reported throughout the United States involves hot car deaths and heatstrokes resulting from leaving a child unattended in a vehicle that is turned off. Some child care providers leave children in a vehicle for a quick errand and see no harm in leaving a child alone in a vehicle for a few minutes which is all that is needed to cause serious permanent injuries or even the death of a child. In some instances, the child is left unattended in a vehicle due to inattention and other matters occupying the mind of the parent, child care provider, or other person. Incidents involving hot care deaths can be prevented. Whatever reminder system can be put into place – the impact can be quite dramatic if even one child is spared the horrendous end of life mistake by another person by leaving the child unattended in a vehicle.
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Are Liability Waivers Valid for Injuries That Place at Summer Camps?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In order to limit claims and lawsuits against summer camps, administrators often utilize or attempt to utilize general releases as tools to stop or prevent or discourage parents taking action against the summer camp or its insurance company. One common question that is often presented to me as a Child Injury Lawyer is the following:
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What if a Child is Injured at a Summer Camp Playground?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Summer camps and playground should be locations where children enjoy the joy of free time and fun. It is a time to make the most of summer in an active and usually safe environment. Unfortunately for some children, playgrounds are the sites of serious personal injuries for children. When a child is injured during playground activities, is there always a legal case or claim to pursue? The simple answer to this question is No. It is important to note that the word “always” makes a big difference in the question posed about legal rights and responsibilities.
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Is a Summer Camp Required to Carry Liability Insurance?
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
During the summer, millions of children enjoy activities and sports at camps across the nation. Most days are filled with fun, laughter, and time spent with friends doing fun things. Unfortunately for some children, some days are quite the opposite when the child suffers a personal injury at a summer camp. Any time the child participates in an activity whether it is sports, horseback riding, arts & crafts, or another type of activity – there is a risk of injury. It is the responsibility of the summer camp to provide appropriate supervision, safety precautions, and proper maintenance in order to prevent personal injuries to children attending the camp.
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Can a Civil Case Be Pursued Concurrent with a Criminal Case? (Child Abuse at a Day Care Center)
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Day care centers should be safe havens for children. They should be a place where children are taught, supervised, and nurtured in a supportive environment. Unfortunately for some children, day care centers are anything but a safe haven for children. Some children are even the victims of criminal actions of the very people charged with caring for the children. When the conduct of a day care center worker rises to the level of maliciousness or recklessness, criminal charges may be brought against the day care center worker for crimes as defined by the State laws and, in some cases, the applicable Federal laws.
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What Public Service Announcement Should Be Posted in Every Day Care Center and Home? (Keep Your Infant Safe and Sleep Advice)
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
There is nothing more peaceful than seeing your child or a child under your care sleeping in a safe, clean, and supportive environment. There are certainly risks to infants and small children when they are at play inside or outside the home or day care center. A child can be injured while playing in a playground or doing some kind of activity. As such, supervision during these times are vital to prevent injuries to children. In addition to these activities, the sleep habits and environment of children (especially those under the age of 12 months) should also be closely monitored.