By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Many parents are concerned with their child’s growth – many wonder if their child is growing at an average rate. However, many healthy children come in a wide variety and shapes and sizes. Parents should understand that it is acceptable if their child is not the same size as their friend’s children or their other children at comparable ages – children do not grow at steady rates.
By David M. Baum, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A recent study conducted at the University of Chicago revealed that children with brain injuries may have difficulty developing story-telling skills. It is estimated that 1 in 4,000 children suffer from pre- or perinatal brain lesions, a brain injury with risk factors involving both mothers and babies. In the study, which was reported in the recent issue of Developmental Science, children with brain injuries were compared with children with normal development. Each group was asked to tell a story after given a situation with a suggestive narrative. For example, “Once there was a little boy named Alan who had many different kinds of toys.” The children were prompted with questions like “Anything else?” until the children said they were done. The study found that the children with brain injuries told shorter and less complex narratives compared to the children with the typical developing children. However, each group had similar vocabulary and sentence comprehension abilities. Researches suggested the reason for the shorter and less complex narratives is that storytelling requires flexibility in word use and, therefore, may be more vulnerable to to developmental delays.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Chelation is perhaps the best know “alternative” therapy for Autism. Defeat Autism Now, an influential Autism advocacy group, calls the treatment “one of the most beneficial treatments for autism and related disorders.” Parents eagerly trade Chelation success stories on websites and chat rooms dedicated to the disorder. Chelation, as a treatment for autism and related disorders, has developed in response to the unproven supposition that Autism is tied to the accumulation of heavy metals, especially mercury, in the body. Treatment can vary considerably in its execution; forms include skin cream, pills, and even intravenous delivery of powerful medications designed to combat severe metal poisoning.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A new study done by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and partially funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, has quantified the extra financial burden carried by low-income families with a special needs child. The study was designed to look at cash outlay for special medical services based on the state in which the affected family lives. The study found that the financial burden varies significantly from state to state.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Consumer Product Safety Commission released its report for Toy Related Deaths and Injuries for the Calendar Year 2008. There were 19 reports of deaths related to toys and 235,300 reports of injuries related to toys. The injuries ranged from minor injuries like lacerations to more serious personal injuries. Riding toys appeared to be the toy associated with the more emergency room visits than other types of toys. Parents, teachers, and day care providers should review the report to see the causes of the deaths and the statistics regarding the injuries. While all injuries and deaths cannot be completely avoided, education, knowledge, and consistent adult supervision can help reduce the number and severity of injuries related to toys. See Consumer Product Safety Commision – Toy Related Deaths and Injuries for Calendar Year 2008.
By Steven Smith, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Children with disabilities are the unfortunate victims of improper and negligent seclusion and restraints in school systems throughout the nation. This, in turn, has lead to some serious personal injuries, and, in some cases, the wrongful and preventable death of a disabled child. In Texas, Cedric Napolean (age – 14) was one such victim who died when a teacher laid on top of the Cedric when Cedric would not remain seated in the classroom. This case went to a grand jury in Texas as a homicide. While the grand jury ultimately did not recommend pursuit of the criminal charges, the death of Cedric Napolean does help illustrate the dangers to disabled children in school systems when they are retrained in an attempt to punish or instruct a child. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that some restraints have been implemented when students are not even being physically aggressive or dangerous.
By Stephanie F. Brown and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
An audit of Georgia’s mental health care services for children by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts found several deficiencies in the state’s system for tracking services to uninsured children and Medicaid eligible children. The audit examined the Georgia Department of Human Resources which is responsible for the state’s public mental health system. The report found that the Department of Human Resources lacks a systematic process for determining the most critical needs of children for mental health services. The report also indicated that the Department of Human Resources reported a decrease in children showing improved functioning through mental health care between 2006 and 2008. To read more about this audit see Audit Cites Flaws in Georgia’s Mental Health System for Children.
By Jay Foster, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A nationwide study recently reported Mississippi with the highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. As compared with a national average, Mississippi’s teen pregnancy rate was 60 % higher. The study reviewed birth certificates for each State. Over 400,000 births were to mothers ranging from age 15 through 19. You can read more about these and other statistics at Teen Pregnancy Rate – Mississippi Leads the Nation.
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