By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The packaging, scent, and color of common household cleaners are alluring to children. And, instead of looking like toxic chemicals, these products appear to children as fascinating toys or cool treats and drinks. According to a study in the September issue of Pediatrics, household cleaners such as bleach, drain cleaner and swimming pool chemicals put 267,269 children 5-years-old and younger in U.S. emergency rooms between 1990 to 2006. Most of the child personal injuries noted in the study were a result a swallowing products. Other personal injuries included chemical burns or irritation to the skin and eyes. Bleach was the number one product associated with the child personal injuries and about 40% of the cases were caused by spray bottles because they are easy to trigger, even for young children.
A 13-year-old boy, Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Washington, died after a motorcycle crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Peter was reportedly run over by another motorcycle driver after he fell from his motorbike during a warm-up lap. The driver of the other motorcycle was identified as 12-year-old Xavier Zayat of Flushing, New York and reportedly did not sustain any personal injuries. Peter was immediately placed in a neck brace and onto a stretcher by medical workers who also performed chest compression on him until he arrived at the hospital. Peter was pronounced dead several hours later.
Teeny Tiny Tots Day Care of Little Rock, Arkansas is under investigation by the State of Arkansas Department of Human Services due to a police report filed by a mother whose child attends the day care. The mother, Jeanette Mojica filed the police report after she found bite marks all over her 11-month-old daughter, who attended the day care – Mojica is accusing the day care of negligence. After the shocking discovery, Mojica took her toddler to a hospital where doctors counted close to 20 bite marks.
Recently, in Jackson County, Michigan, a 6-year-old girl, Tyah Norris, sustained serious personal injuries to her face and skull after the child was mauled by a group of pit bulls. It was reported that one of Tyah’s tear ducts was injured and part of her skull is gone. At the hospital, Tyah’s mother stated her daughter had stitches all over her face and was still in pain. And, according to the Jackson Citizen Patriot, Tyah is in serious condition.
The 2010 – 2011 school year has now officially started in most school districts across the United States. It is a good time for everyone (whether you have a child in school or not) to focus on key safety tips for children in and near school.
Below are some tips about “baby proofing” one’s home and seven safety product categories to keep “top-of-mind”.
It is called “playing through the pain” and it is a dangerous message that is sent to many young athletes who find themselves injured. Many people view the professional athletes who become injured are that he / she may be “whining and moaning” and need to quit and get back out on the field for the sake of the team. However, this “play through the pain” message is deceptive and dangerous, especially now since many high school athletes are returning from their summer vacation, some facing vicious two-a-days football practices.
Authorities say a mother of Farmington, Texas is likely facing charges after the mother left her two small children in her car, unattended for almost four hours. The investigation is ongoing, however, police have confirmed that the mother, identified as 20-year-old Mary Passey, left her children asleep in her vehicle while she went to visit a friend and fell asleep herself.
On August 12 9-year-old boy, Trevor Howe, ran outside of his home chasing after his family’s Labrador retriever, Sweetpea. However, when Trevor’s parents discovered Sweetpea had returned to the home without Trevor, Trevor’s parents rushed to a nearby pond to look for their son. When they arrived at the pond medical personnel were already working on Trevor’s unconscious body. Trevor died four days later at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
Since 2008, at least 10 children have been accidentally shot in central Indiana. This statistic includes the most recent shooting of a 5-year-old child who was accidentally shot by his cousin while his cousin was spinning a revolver in his hand. The five-year-old boy was identified as Miguel Luna. Miguel was last reported in critical condition at Riley Hospital for Children.