From the article, “Researchers tested 94 individuals, including 44 parents whose oldest child was 12-36 months, 30 day-care workers and 20 health-care professionals. A living room and a typical toddler’s bedroom were created in the laboratory to simulate a home environment. For a third room, they used an existing bathroom with a working sink, shower and toilet. In each room, the researchers placed items that were safety hazards for young children such as prescription medication, shower cleaner, a pair of scissors, overloaded electrical outlets and marbles”. Read the rest of the child injury article here to be sure you are doing the right things to prevent your child from these types of injuries.

During National Safety School Bus Safety Week, The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) announced new regulations and funding designed to make school buses safer.  The new regulations include higher seat backs, lap and shoulder belts on smaller buses, and standards for seat belts on larger school buses.  The National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), provides numerous publications, resource guides, and statistical research promoting school bus safety awareness to educate students, bus drivers, and other motorists about proper behavior aimed at reducing risk of school bus related injuries and fatalities.

School bus safety has been a hot topic in the news.  In addition to the national safety promotions that are occurring, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that a federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin indicted the semi-truck driver acquitted of state charges last year in the school bus accident that killed five and injured dozens near Eau Claire. The driver, 25-year old Michael Kozlowski, has been indicted on federal charges after the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) determined via an investigation, that Kozlowski improperly falsified his driving logs.   On the day of the accident in question, Kozlowski allegedly fell asleep at the wheel.  When his vehicle hit the shoulder, he tried to turn back onto the roadway, flipping his vehicle into the occupied school bus.

Although its not clear whether or not new school bus safety regulations would have saved lives in the Eau Claire accident, the new regulations should help to prevent injuries in the most common types of school bus collisions, such as rear end and T-bone impacts.

If your child is injured in a school bus accident or any other type of motor vehicle crash, contact the Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., for FREE written materials discussing your rights and mistakes to avoid in any potential claim.

According to the Associated Press article published on October 2, 2008, a total of 13 booster seats offered for sale to the public fail to place the child in the proper position for optimal protection.  Full results of the study are available on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website.

As always, The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., encourages parents to read the reviews, draw their own conclusions, and to always read the instruction manuals included with the car seats and booster seats to insure proper installation.  If you are having difficulty with car seat/booster seat installation, most local law enforcement agencies have community service officers and traffic specialists who will assist in the installation of this vital protective equipment.

Austin was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa where he was pronounced dead Monday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies report that nobody involved was wearing safety equipment. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission in a report dated January 7, 1998 estimated that there were 125, 900 go cart related injuries in the United States between 1985-1996, with the majority of those resulting from crashes with stationary objects. A posting on the Brain Injury Resource Foundation website indicates that researchers continue to rely on that report, as well as additional data, in their investigation of the number and causes of head-trauma injuries suffered by children.

No parent should experience what the Carter family is going through, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Carter family, as well as Austin’s extended family and friends.  Our thoughts also go to the boy who was driving the ATV and his family. 

We at The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., are cognizant of the sensitive issues involved and merely comment on tragedies of this type to inform the public and hopefully prevent something like this from happening to another family.

The boy named Christian Gonzalez, is in fourth grade at Valrico Elementary School in Valrico. Little Christian was transported by emergency helicopter to Tampa General Hospital, and remains in serious condition.

The vehicle involved was a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser that was northbound on Valrico Road. The driver, also a Valrico resident immediately stopped and remained at the scene.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers tips for parents regarding school bus stop safety, including statistics and information we should be teaching our kids to keep them safe while going to or returning from school.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., regularly handles pedestrian accidents and all types of child injury claims and lawsuits.

About this Law Office

James W. Dodson ,P.A., a Florida accidental death lawyer, has successfully handled personal injury cases for over 20 years in Pinellas County, Pasco County, Manatee County, and throughout Florida.

Innocence Lost is an FBI program with approximately 24 task forces and support spread throughout the country.  Federal, state, and local law enforcement al work together in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices. These agencies work together to stop child prostitution right here in the United States. 

One of the main strengths of the Innocence Lost program is record keeping.  By maintaining an up-to-date computer database, law enforcement agencies can readily access over 17,000 records of both children and predators.  According to FBI Director, Robert S. Mueller, III, those working together within the program have recovered 433 children, convicted 308 criminals, and dismantled 32 criminal organizations since the program’s inception in 2003.

The NCMEC actively participates in the Innocence Lost program by running a CyberTipline and providing specialized training to law enforcement members.  The NCMEC website contains invaluable information that all parents should read that provides information on how to keep our children safe, and what to do should the unthinkable happen.  I encourage parents to review the information and become familiar with the contents, so that you will be better prepared to prevent or deal with any child-related crisis.

As reported in the New York Times, the elevator became stuck between floor 11 and floor 10.  Young Jacob tried to jump to floor 10 and lost his footing.  The elevator is maintained by the New York Housing Authority and numerous residents have lodged complaints over the past 12 months.

There almost certainly will be an investigation into the maintenance of the elevator to see if this tragedy could have been prevented.  Although, I understand, the children probably became frightened and possibly panicked, but they should have stayed were they were and waited for help.  I certainly am not blaming the children, but I am saying that something like this could serve as a reminder to review elevator safety with our own children. 

Otis Worldwide, one of the largest elevator companies in the world has published elevator safety tips that can be reviewed with family.  Although a tragedy like this is likely an anomaly, we should all be cautious of the potential hazards elevators pose.

Hartsfield-Jackson officials decided to take action following three separate incidents over the previous two months in which children, wearing soft-sided shoes or Crocs™, were injured when their shoes were caught in the escalators.  This change in policy comes several months after the Consumer Product Safety Commission released its latest bulletin regarding escalator dangers and tips on how to avoid them.

This danger is real in the Tampa Bay area, as many professional buildings and malls have escalators.  There was a serious case in 2002 where a young girl lost several fingers in an escalator at a St. Petersburg Dillard’s.  As a personal injury attorney and child safety advocate, I encourage parents to heed these precautions and be vigilant when riding the escalators with their children.