Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In the State of Washington, children are the unfortunate victims of personal injuries that are caused by automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, playgroud injuries, school injuries, and other incidents. When a child is injured, a parent is faced with many challenges in dealing with the medical care, insurance issues, and, yes, legal issues that may arise in any given case. When a child is injured, it is important for a parent to stay calm and get the support of family and friends when getting through this most difficult period for the child and the immediate family. A Child Injury Lawyer can help guide the parent through the maze of issues and challenges that present themselves in most cases.
Children enjoy driving or riding in Go-Karts / Go-Carts in neighborhoods, amusement parks, and other areas. While it can be quite fun to ride in a Go-Kart, it can also be quite dangerous. It is impractical to be able to prevent every injury that could result from the use of Go-Karts / Go-Carts; however, many injuries and incidents could be prevented or lessened from keeping in mind the following:
As parents, the safety of a child is a paramount responsibility and duty. Despite our best efforts, children can be injured by the negligent or careless acts of others. In most every community, there are reported automobile accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents. Many reported accidents are quite common like a rear end collision or bad left turn impeding the right of way of another driver. Other incidents may not be as common but still cause serious personal injuries. For instance, some children are injured when a vehicle drives over a curb and onto a sidewalk. There have also been accidents reported in which a driver crashes into a building or into a school. In most instances, a child is quite safe walking on a sidewalk along the side of a parent or other responsible adults. However, a child can be seriously injured when these not so common accidents take place. Certainly, most of these accidents are neither expected or predictable by the parent. As such, no action on the part of the parent could reasonably avoid the accident or injuries.
In Florida and other States, children enjoy riding their bicycles out in the fresh air. It provides exercise and some independence for them. Children love to ride to school, a friend’s house, or even the store. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), America has approximately 33 million riders. See more 
In the State of Washington and other States, children are the unfortunate victims suffering from personal injuries as a result of an automobile accident, pedestrian accident, trucking accident, or bicycle accident. When a child suffers personal injuries from an automobile accident or these other accidents, a parent is often faced with the challenges of getting medical bills paid and treatment in place. Furthermore, when a child is injured as a result of the fault of another person, the child is entitled to pain and suffering compensation related to the injuries caused by the accident. It is important for a parent to consult with a Washington Child Injury Lawyer when dealing with these issues and the other insurance and legal issues that arise in these cases. It should be noted that Washington law requires that vehicle owners carry a minimum of $25,000 in Bodily Injury liability insurance. This coverage can provide compensation to the injury victim for medical bills, pain, suffering, and other damages. There are other forms of insurance available in the State of Washington but these coverages are optional. These include Medical Payment Coverage, PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Coverage, and Uninsured Motorist Coverage. While Bodily Injury Coverage is required under Washington Law, many vehicle owners allow the coverage to lapse or otherwise fail to secure and maintain the required insurance in the State of Washington.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is launching a new rating system for day care centers in the State of Georgia. It is estimated that there are 6000 or so day care centers in Georgia. About 25 % of these day care centers are enrolled to participate in the Three Star Child Care Rating System that will go live in July 1, 2013. It will take some time to get the 1200 or so day care centers properly rated, evaluated, and listed online to provide information to parents considering their day care / child care options in the State of Georgia. Since the Three Star Rating system is voluntary, there are many very good day care center as well many bad ones that may have no rating at all. Furthermore, a Three Star Rating may be a good sign that a day care center follows rules and regulations and otherwise generally provides a safe environment for children; however, a parent should still use his or her best judgment, common sense, and due diligence when evaluating or re-evaluating a day care center in the State of Georgia. You can read more about the new Three Star Child Care Rating System at 
In North Carolina and other States, infants are at risk for serious personal injury and even wrongful death while under the care of a day care center. Many people believe that the safest “activity” for an infant at a day care center is nap time or sleeping time. Actually, nap or sleep time can be a very dangerous activity if the child is not properly monitored. In particular, there are serious risks to an infant when an infant is placed on his or her stomach. The risks include those related to suffocation especially when an infant is placed on a soft mattress or near stuffed objects. The National MCH Center for Child Death Review has more information on the topic of 
In Wisconsin, day care centers, that provide for transportation on a van or a bus for six or more passengers, are required to have a safety alarm installed. The law was put in place in response to the tragic death of Jalen Knox-Perkins who was mistakenly left in a day care van by a Milwaukee Wisconsin day care center. Jalen was only 4 months old at the time of the incident. The death of this child was a loss for the family, day care center, and community. The death of Jalen Knox-Perkins helped, in part, convince lawmakers in the State of Wisconsin to pass a law requiring safety alarms be placed in day care center vans and buses.
When a child is injured or dies at a day care center, a parent is often faced with a number of issues and challenges. Many questions come to mind. How could this happen? Did I leave my child in the wrong facility? What exactly happened? What am I going to do next? What should I do next? As a Child Injury Lawyer, I am often contacted after a child is injured or when a child dies while under the care of a day care center. Here are the key factors that are evaluated when a child is injured or dies at a day care center: