By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin is program put in place by the Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin. Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin provides training and public awareness about child support. It also to helps build community resources and carry out advocacy activities to promote child abuse prevention efforts throughout the State of Wisconsin.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
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 State Administrative Rules and Policy Manuals for Child Care. Another good resource is located at the website for the National Resource Center for
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Prompted by the recent death of a four-month old Milwaukee, Wisconsin infant who was left in a child-care transport van, the State Senate and State Assembly have passed a bill which will require child-care van owners to install alarm systems in transport vehicles, necessitating van drivers to physically go through the van interior, to the back door, to disarm the alarm. See Child-Van Alarms to be Required for Safety Purposes.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin – Gary Becker – was arrested on five felony counts for his internet chats and arranging for a meeting with a 14 year old to have sex with the 14 year old. In actuality, the 14 year old online was an undercover agent with the Wisconsin State Division of Criminal Investigation. Mayor Becker previously had taken his computer to a city employee for have some work done on it. The technician found child pornography on the Mayor’s computer. Thereafter, the State Division of Criminal Investigation had undercover agents engage in chats with the Mayor. Mayor Becker had engaged in these chats before.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Anthony Stanci, age 18, has been arrested for blackmailing teenage boys for sex and having sex with minors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to news reports, Stanci set up an account on Facebook, a popular social networking website, and posted as a teenage girl. “Emily” convinced many teenage boys to send naked photographs of themselves to “Emily”. Once “Emily” received the photographs, “Emily” then threatened to e mail and send the naked photographs to family and friends if the teenage victim would not have sex with Anthony Stanci. These horribly deceptive and heinous acts resulted in Stanci having sex with teenage boys as young as 15 years old. So far, 31 boys sent Stanci naked photographs of themselves have been identified. Stanci faces many felony counts on this matter. His attorney stated that Stanci may be interested in a plea agreement. Of course, Stanci is entitled to a lawyer and is innocent until proven guilty; however, there appears to be a mountain of evidence in the form of Facebook, e mails, text messages, and witness testimony against Stanci. If there is a conviction or plea deal, Stanci needs to serve a prison sentence and get registered as as sex offender / sex predator.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
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 Study and Statistics as to Uninsured Motorists.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A Wisconsin cheerleader, Brittany Noffke, was a student at Holmen High School near La Crosse, Wisconsin. While practicing certain moves and students before a basketball game, Brittany suffered a head injury. The stunt required Brittany to stand on another cheerleader’s shoulders and then required another student to catch her or spot her while performing the spot. Brittany fell backward but the student standing behind her did not catch her. As a result, Brittany fell to the ground and suffered head injuries. In Wisconsin, these type of cases require a Plaintiff / injury victim to prove recklessness in order to recover compensation for injuries. This can be a tough standard to prove. Fortunately, these onerous legal standard does not apply to all other States. A negligence standard would be a more reasonable standard to follow in Wisconsin and other States.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families published helpful tips on Choosing a Child Care Center / Day Care Center. The tips should be considered and utilized by parents in selecting a child care center / day care center. Unfortunately, children are injured every day in day care centers in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Carefully selecting a day care center may help reduce the risk of injury to children in day care centers. Just because a facility has passed inspection and has no violations does not guarantee your child’s safety; however, it is one indication or factor to use when selecting a day care center.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Wisconsin, as does most states, requires that school bus drivers pass a criminal background check prior to receiving a school bus driver’s license endorsement. Although Wisconsin allows school bus drivers to have felony convictions, it does provide a detailed list of felony convictions, including convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, which will disqualify a person from being a school bus driver for periods of time ranging from two years to a lifetime disqualification. You can read more about the qualifications for school bus drivers in Wisconsin at the Official Department of Transportation Website for Wisconsin. Federal and State governments establish school bus driver qualifications and standards, and drivers must comply with both the Federal regulations and requirements located at the U.S. Department of Labor Website in addition to any State regulations which exceed the Federal requirements. You should check with your own State’s Department of Transportation to determine what State regulations apply to school bus drivers in your state.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Deputy sheriffs in Madison (Dane County) Wisconsin recently arrested 8 different drivers in various incidents in and around Madison, Wisconsin for OWI (Operating While Intoxicated). While there was no special task force or overtime put in place over the weekend, drunk drivers were out in numbers wreaking havoc on the roadways in Madison, Wisconsin. One drunk driver even crashed his vehicle in to a police car. Another driver was found parked while making a turn. She was arrested for OWI. People who drink and drive should not only think about the criminal consequences but also the civil, social, and moral consequences of such dangerous and reckless behavior. Too many children, teens, and adults have suffered serious personal injuries and wrongful death due to drunk driving / OWI. The best way to reduce drunk driving / OWI is through planning. If you plan to have some drinks at home, restaurant, or bar, make sure that there is a designated driver lined up. If there is no designated driver lined up, do not drink, call a friend for a ride, get a cab, or stay put. The safety of Wisconsin’s children and adults is much more important than the joy, buzz, or fulfillment of getting drunk.
Child Injury Lawyer Blog