Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Ryan E. Alekman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Many of us can remember our parents telling us not to jump on the bed when we were kids. It turns out that they were not just being spoilsports; a vigorous bed jumping session in Massachusetts recently started a house fire that burned down two homes and damaged a neighboring apartment building. The blaze did not seriously injure anyone, but the homes destroyed were three-family residences and the apartment building had to be evacuated as well, so it left thirty-three people homeless just in time for the state’s first snowfall.
Daycare owner, Shannon Veradt, of Taunton, Massachusetts, was allegedly found passed out on the second floor of her home while the children she was supposed to be caring for were unattended downstairs. Her own mother had called the police because she believed her daughter was drunk and she was worried about the children. Ms. Veradt admitted that she had been drinking, saying she was stressed from her marriage. This day care owner showed “poor judgment” but is being allowed to reopen the daycare center.
A large wave fueled by Hurricane Bill swept three people from the rocks at Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine on Sunday, August 23, 2009. The Coast Guard pulled a 7-year old New York City girl, her father, and a 12-year old Belfast, Maine girl from the water. The 7-year old had no vital signs and could not be resuscitated. Both the man and the 12-year old girl are hospitalized, the man with a heart condition and the girl with a broken leg. Nine others also were hospitalized, mostly with broken bones from being slammed into the rocks. Officials did not release names of the victims. You may read more of the story at http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/117347.html.
In Massachusetts and other states, school bus drivers should pay close attention to driving and supervising the children on the bus. School bus drivers should not use mobile phones while driving and certainly should never text message while driving. School bus drivers who allow themselves to become distracted by such technology put children in danger and, yes, risk the loss of a job. In Massachusetts, a school bus driver was caught texting and driving on video on a student’s mobile phone. First Student, the school bus company based in Cincinnatti, Ohio fired the bus driver who was driving Clinton, Massachusetts students from Assabet Valley Technical High School.
The United States Department of Health and Human Resources has a website that has a great reference tool for parents and caregivers with children in day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers / child care centers through a state specific administrative code and / or policy manual. Go to 
An 11 year old Springfield, Massachusetts boy recently committed suicide after daily
Parents and caregivers who smoke often try to blow the smoke away from their children. This provides a false sense of safety to parents who think that they can keep harmful smoke from their children. Unfortunately, there is another danger to children beyond second hand smoke. It is being called “Third Hand Smoke” which refers to the gases and particle that cling on smokers’ hair, clothing, furniture, car seats, and other objects. This residue, to which children are exposed, includes heavy metals, carcinogens (cancer causing agents), and even radioactive materials that a child may ingest.
Monkey bars are placed on playgrounds in Massachusetts and throughout the United States. Children love hanging from, hanging upside on, crossing, standing on, and sitting on monkey bars. Many children enjoy the challenge and the height of monkey bars. The problem is that children fail to appreciate the dangers of monkey bars and sustain serious personal injuries from falls from monkey bars. A Boston, Massachusetts medical study mentioned on the 
Although statistics reflect that the percentage of uninsured motorists has decreased in Wisconsin and nationally in the past few years, there is a concern that recent economic problems may result in a rise in the number of uninsured motorists. In a recent study conducted and released by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), it estimated that nationally in 2007 approximately 13.8 % of motorists were uninsured. The study provided data, by state, as to the percentage of uninsured motorists, with the highest being New Mexico and Mississippi, at 29% and 28%, respectively, and the lowest being Massachusetts and Maine, at 1% and 4%, respectively. Wisconsin’s estimated percentage of uninsured motorists in 2007 was 15%, ranking it in the highest third of uninsured motorists in the nation. The study found a strong correlation between the percent of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate. To view the News Release, dated January 21, 2009, by the IRC, go to 
In Massachusetts, each child care licensee (owner / operator) must maintain records of training opportunities provided to or available for staff members. Training is vital for all child care providers so that each child is provided with a safe day care environment. The State of Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood Education pursuant to