Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Scott Soutullo, Attorney, Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A 21-month-old girl was in critical condition on Friday, May 21 after being trapped in a rolled-up car window. However, she is expected to make a full recovery. The toddler’s Mother apparently left the girl and her 3-year-old brother alone in the vehicle while she went into a home. A neighbor observed that the the toddler was trapped and immediately performed CPR on her. It is uncertain how long these two minors were left unattended in the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.
Children of this age should never be left unattended in a vehicle even for a short period of time due to the dangers. Unattended children in cars are susceptible to many dangerous risks. Among them being suffocation, being subjected to heat exposure, being locked inside the vehicle, kidnapping and in the instant case bodily harm from the vehicle itself. Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle can subject the parent, caregiver, day care provider, or other “responsible” person to charges of
child neglect and/or child injury. If a child has been injured as a result of child abuse or neglect, the parent or guardian may be able to take civil action or legal action against the person / facility who caused the injuries. A child injury lawyer can review the facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate legal cause of action on behalf of the child.
Not only are parents responsible for protecting children from bodily harm or injury, but daycare providers, babysitters, teachers and the like have a heightened responsibility to do so as well. It is imperative to be aware of any incidents of child abuse or neglect because the consequences of such actions are severe and the people engaging in such conduct could be held accountable through a claim or civil action. Furthermore, in some cases, criminal charges are pursued against the negligent child care provider.
If you would like to read more about this incident please see Unattended Toddler Trapped in Car Window, Left in Critical Condition.