By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Icy roads are causing dangerous road conditions in Southern States this winter. While Southern States do not nearly get the snowfall of the Northeast and other areas of the country, the dangers of the roadways can still lead to serious personal injuries and death. Proper car maintenance and tires are key to safer driving when the road conditions are more precarious. You can read more about this story at Icy Roads – Dangerous in the South.
A family of Fort Bend County, Texas, Jose, Lindsay and their daughter Gracie Galarza, is still suffering from tremendous stress and grief years after their child was allegedly abused by a worker at the child’s home daycare facility. The little girl, who is now two-and-a-half-years-old, was 9-months-old at the time of the incident. Jennifer Sides, the worker at the home daycare center, was charged with injury to a child. Deputies say Sides caused severe personal injuries to the toddler’s head as a result from being shaken. The Galarzas said Gracie had to be hooked up to machines due to the severe extent of her personal injuries to her head. Gracie sustained bleeding and swelling to her brain, as well as experienced bleeding behind her eyes. After doctros examined the nature and extent of Gracie’s personal injuries, the doctors informed the Galarzas the injuries were the result of the toddler being shaken. In fact, the doctors told the parents it was more than an accident, it was child abuse.
A 38-year-old woman of Lufkin, Texas, has been sentenced to 15 years probation after accepting a plea deal and pleading guilty to injury of a child and unlawful restraint. However, some people may not be satisfied with Kathy Butler Taylor’s sentence because of the nature of child abuse she allegedly inflicted onto three different people. Taylor was accused of using an extension cord and tape to abuse children. One child told investigators that Taylor would bind her hands, feet and mouth with tape. After being bound, Taylor would then beat her with an extension cord. If you would like to read more on this story please see 
A pickup truck, pulling a plow behind the truck, struck 4 children while they were crossing a street in Wyoming. The road is near the children’s elementary school, Godfrey Elementary. The children had a half-day of school on the day of the accident and the crossing guard, who was directing traffic at the crosswalk earlier that day, left about fifteen minutes before the terrible incident occurred.
When transporting children, it is important for the driver and all assistants and attendants on board to know the needs and abilities of the children being transported. This is especially true when a school or day care center is transporting a special needs child. A horrible tragedy took place in Baltimore County, Maryland when a 6 year old special needs student (Jeremy Jennings, Jr.) fell out of a moving school bus. The mother, who is very well versed in her son’s education and special needs curriculum, rightfully questions how the incident took place. What actions did the bus driver take? Where were the attendants at the time of the incident? Why wasn’t Jeremy properly restrained or secured in his harness? What are the policies and procedures for school transportation? Were the policies and procedures followed? In the wake of the incident, the two assistants were discharged from their employment.
In day care centers and schools, it is vital for children to have consistent supervision. There is a risk of injury inside and outside of the classroom. This is especially true since children have poor safety awareness and do not recognize the risk of danger. When there is a problem or complication, children often times have poor problem solving skills and can make bad situations worse.
In Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado, the towns come alive in the Winter and Spring ski seasons. When the slopes get crowded, accidents and incidents take place. From time to time, skiers and snowboarders will collide and falls take place. Most are mere accidents that cannot be avoided. It is truly the nature of the sport especially for those who are not that experienced or skilled on skis / snowboards. It was reported that a Georgia man hit a 14 year old girl after the girl bumped in the man’s son. The incident took place at Colorado’s Beaver Creek Ski Resort which is located near Vail, Colorado. It was reported that the incident (prior to the alleged assault) resulted as the girl swerved to avoid hitting another person on the slopes.