Category: Child safety

Childhood Bicycle Accidents: The Significance Of Understanding Fractures In Youth

May 16, 2012   Staff   No comments
child riding bicycle

While a child continues to grow, while it is true that the child’s bones are more pliable and less prone to fracture, when a fracture occurs, special attention much be paid to ensure future complications do not arise. At the end of long bones are what are referred to as growth plates— which are where bones are actively growing. A fracture along a growth plate has the ability to disturb the growth along the plate and may cause disfiguration and long term growth problems. As a parent, getting grasp on the type of fracture your child has sustained in been in a bicycle accident is essential to assess the extent of damages and the cost of proper rehabilitation.

Growth Plate Fractures In Children

Growth plate fractures are more common in the forearm and fingers as well as the tibia and fibula of the legs, although there can occur elsewhere. When left untreated, growth plate fractures result in pain that affects range of motion and athletic performance. The bone may begin to grow in a crooked manner, resulting in physical differences between one limb and the other, which is growing properly. Early detection of a growth plate fracture is instrumental for treatment that reduces the impact of the fracture on your child’s development.

There are several ways in which a doctor will diagnose a growth fracture. The first is to take and compare x-rays of both the fracture and the properly growing plate in order to detect any differences that are already present. Many times, the x-ray alone will not be enough to verify the existence of a growth plate fracture and doctors will order an MRI or CT scan in order to gain information about the bone and surrounding tissue that will not only allow them to tell if an injury exists, but also the severity of said injury.

If your child is diagnosed with a growth plate fracture, the injury will fall into one of five categories of growth plate injuries. In many cases, the fracture is treated through immobilization of the joint— normally accomplished by putting it into a cast. In other cases, surgery and further therapy may be needed in order to ensure that the injury is repaired correctly and that the growth plate can grow properly without causing additional complications.

Treating Childhood Bone Fractures

Unless the prognosis and treatment is to be extremely simple, most doctors will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon, which specializes in problems in the joints and bones. More than eight out of ten growth plate fractures will heal without any major complications. The most common concerns are stunted growth, open injuries which could cause infection to the joint and injuries occurring in an important are such as the knee not healing properly. In the case of stunted growth, one limb may grow to be shorter than the other.

Injuries to the knee have a much higher probability of complication than growth plate fractures elsewhere and have the potential to cause problems to the joint that will affect your child’s growth and range of movement for a lifetime. The successful treatment of these injuries will almost inevitably require surgery and months, if not years, of physical therapy. Over the time, the cost of treatment for more severe growth plate fractures can mount and become a financial burden. For this reason, if your child is involved in a bicycle accident, it is important to consult an attorney in order to evaluate whether you may be owed damages for immediate and recurring treatment that is expected to be required for your child’s injury.

If you are looking for a bike accident lawyer in Chicago, consider Jonathan Rosenfeld, who has many years of experience representing clients who have been involved in injuries that impose long term changes to their lives of no fault of their own. He will evaluate your case to determine whether or not you are owed damages not only for current expenses, but also for expenses that may occur over the future. You can learn more information about Jonathan’s law practice by visiting Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers or Chicago Bike Injury Lawyers.

 

Read More

Twins Injured in Philadelphia Accident

May 14, 2012   Staff   4 Comments
PA Bicycle Accidents

A twin boy and girl are in the hospital today after sustaining serious injuries in a Philadelphia bicycle accident that almost turned into a hit-and-run. Emily Sanchez, 11-years-old, is in critical condition with undisclosed head and leg injuries. Her brother, Eduardo Sanchez, sustained a broken leg and arm in the collision. The two kids were riding their bicycles on 9th and Birch streets on Sunday afternoon when a Ford SUV careened down the road and struck multiple parked cars before striking the twins.

Witnesses said bicycle parts were strewn over the accident site. The SUV involved in the crash had the frame of one bike bent around its wheels.

One eye-witness, Luis Diaz, actually prevented the SUV’s driver from fleeing the scene. He grabbed the keys from inside the vehicle, though that didn’t stop the driver from attempting to run away. Another witness, Ramon Martinez, ran after the driver, a 58-year-old man, and caught up with him two blocks later.

My thoughts and prayers are with those kids as they struggle to recover from their injuries. Also, I’d like to extend a special note of thanks to the witnesses at the scene who rendered and stopped the driver responsible from leaving. Their quick-thinking may make law enforcement’s task easier in reconstructing the accident.

In 2010, there were 1,487 accidents involving bicycles in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Those accidents resulted in the deaths of 21 bicyclists across the state. In an effort to promote bicycle safety, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed new regulations this spring requiring all drivers to give bicyclists at least four feet of clearance when passing on roadways. While bicyclists of any age have an obligation to obey the laws of the road, drivers must remain alert at all times to avoid potentially severe accidents.

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a car accident while on a bicycle, you may be entitled to compensation. Contacting a team of experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers is an important step in upholding your rights to damages and holding those responsible for your injuries accountable for your costs.

Photo Credit: Fort Worth Ology

Read More

Unlicensed Teen Driver Hits Police Officer

April 24, 2012   Staff   No comments
Police K-9 Unit

An Egg Harbor Township police officer was injured in a crash involving an unlicensed teenaged driver Monday night. The unidentified 17-year-old drove a Lexus SUV through a stop sign striking a patrol car driven by K-9 Officer William Reed. Medical personnel responding to the scene examined the officer’s K-9 partner, Santino, for injuries. He was reportedly uninjured in the car accident.

Both the driver and passenger – also 17-years-old—of the SUV remain hospitalized at Shore Medical Center with what investigators term as “moderate” injuries, according to NJ.com. Officer Reed, 35-years-old, is also hospitalized at Atlanticare Regional Medical Center at this hour with undisclosed injuries. The SUV’s driver, charged with careless driving and failure to observe a stop sign, was operating the vehicle under a supervised permit, which required him to have an adult in the vehicle at all times.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victim during what must be a tumultuous time. These kids made a serious error in judgment in deciding to drive that SUV without an adult present. Even with the injuries involved in this crash, the outcome could’ve still been much worse. Had anyone died in the accident, the driver could face serious criminal penalties that could net him years in a New Jersey state prison.

As of April 2012, there have been two fatal car accidents in Egg Harbor Township claiming the lives of as many people. Both accidents have occurred on state highways in the early morning hours. In 2011, there were 15 accident fatalities in the township on various county and state roadways, including six on the Garden State Parkway.

If you or someone you love has sustained injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. A settlement can help you pay your medical bills from the accident, replace income lost from missing work and help maintain your quality of life. Experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys are waiting to advocate on your behalf. Don’t give in to pressure from an insurance company to sign documentation before you speak to your legal team. Accepting a settlement before your attorneys can review the paperwork can severely limit your ability to pursue just compensation for your economic loss.

Photo Credit: Town of Clayton

Read More

Teen Injured in Philadelphia Dog Attack

April 06, 2012   Staff   No comments
15 year old injured in pit bull attack

A 15-year-old boy was seriously injured in a dog bite incident after he was attacked by a pit bull that escaped from its owner’s yard. According to NBC 10 Philadelphia, the vicious dog attack occurred in the 5900 block of Shisler Street in the Oxford Circle section of the city on April 3, 3012. Officials say witnesses told them the teenager was with a group of boys when two pit bulls escaped their owner’s home on the 5900 block of Belden Street. One of the escaped dogs began to chase the teenager and while his friends managed to get on top of a neighbor’s car behind a fence, the teen didn’t make it.

The dog then bit the boy in the face. Witnesses said the teen’s eyelid was hanging. His face was cut up, mouth bloodied and clothes ripped up. The teen was taken to a local hospital, suffering from multiple wounds to his face and body. Both dogs were confiscated by animal control and investigators say the owner of the animals was handed a summary dangerous dog citation. It’s unclear as to whether criminal charges will be filed.

My heart goes out to this injured dog attack victim. I wish him the very best for a speedy and full recovery.

Read More

Protecting Your Child From Laundry Room Dangers

April 04, 2012   Staff   No comments
laundry room dangers

After the recent news story about the death of a 21-month-old child, the public is finally becoming aware of an often ignored danger to their children—the laundry room. Tiffany Hebb of Oregon was just doing some laundry. When she had to step out of the room for a minute a disaster occurred.

In just the short time Hebb was out of the room, her son Ollie was able to crawl into the filling washing machine. She returned and frantically retrieved him out of the machine and resuscitated him. He later passed at a local hospital due to the extensive brain damage from the drowning.

 

 

No parent should have to suffer the tragedy of losing a child, especially in an accident that could have been prevented. When these types of accidents occur it is important to speak with qualified personal injury attorneys in New Jersey.

When baby proofing your home you think of many things such as keeping chemicals in an unreachable or secure location, covering electrical outlets, putting child locks on cabinets and drawers, but how many think of lesser known dangers like drowning in the washing machine?

This is not an isolated incident either, in 2010 one Chinese toddler climbed into a washing machine while playing hide and seek and was stuck for two hours. Emergency responders had to disassemble the machine and cut him from the plastic drum to free him. Also, in 2011 Shine reported that one boy in Germany was killed when he climbed into a dryer and his twin brother managed to turn it on. They also told the story of one boy whose arm was severed when he opened a front-loading washing machine while it was running and got his arm stuck.

How can you protect your child?

The best way that parents can protect their children is by preparing themselves for any and all scenarios. That means researching lesser known dangers that are lurking in your house. For laundry room safety you should make sure that:

1. All detergents bleach, and other cleaners are out of reach of children to avoid accidental ingestion.

2. Hangers, especially wire hangers, should be stored out of reach as they pose a strangulation risk.

3. Keep your child away from running or filling machines as they pose a burn hazard due to the hot water and hot mechanical parts.

4. Your child should never be allowed on top of or in the dryer or washing machine. You need to make sure that your child knows that they are not play places. They could fall, get limbs caught within, or become trapped in the machines.

5. If at all possible keep your child out of the laundry room completely.

It is our job as parents to protect our children from these dangers. Children, especially young ones, are extremely curious and if unattended could put themselves in danger. If your child has been injured, contact the New Jersey injury lawyers at Console & Hollawell. We will review the specifics surrounding your child’s accident and help you recover damages for their injuries. Set up your free consultation by calling (866) 778-5500.

Read More

5 Best Playgrounds in New Jersey

March 20, 2012   Staff   No comments
Playground safety tips

When it comes to our children we want nothing more than for them to grow up safe, healthy, and happy. The last thing a parent wants to have to face is their child getting injured as the result of someone else’s negligence. Injuries to children are unfortunately very common in this country. Safe Kids USA reported that in 2009 approximately 220,000 children under the age of 14 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained at a playground.

With so many hazards out there, play time can turn into a dangerous situation for our children. That is why, as parents, we must make sure that where our kids play is an environment free of dangers. There are several things that should be considered when searching for the right playground for you and your child: the materials used, the playground surface (tire, woodchips, sand), and the age appropriateness of the equipment. We have scoured the local playgrounds in New Jersey and these are the five best playgrounds for your child.

1. Wyckoff Community Playground

Photo credit: NJ Playgrounds.

Address: 340 Franklin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ

Parking: Large lot adjacent to park.

Handicap Accessibility: Information not available.

Hours: Not given.

Photo credit: Community Walk.

This playground is the definite choice for lovers of the sandbox. There is a large sandbox with plenty of sand toys available to play with—no need to bring your own. There are separate play structures for different age groups. There are also multiple slides (some for toddlers) and even three racer slides where the children can race against their friends. In the warmer months you can expect to see the ice cream truck there often.

2. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park

Photo credit: NJ Playgrounds.

Address: 221 Ocean Ave. North Longbranch, NJ

Parking: Parking lot right near playground.

Handicap Accessibility: Some activities may be difficult to participate in for handicapped children, but there are plenty of universally accessible activities.

Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk.

This park is walking distance from the ocean, which makes for a great summer trip! There are two main play areas one for children two to five years and the other for five to 12 years. The play surface is made of rubber foam that is great and safe for kids (it also prevents a lot of mud from gathering). For the older kids there is a skate park located in walking distance from the park.

3. Dorbrook Recreation Area

Photo credit: Boundless Playgrounds.

Address: 209 County Route 537 East Colts Neck, NJ

Parking: Multiple parking lots.

Handicap Accessibility: Fully accessible.

Hours: Park- dawn until dusk; Spray ground- open May 19 – September 9 weekdays 11 a.m., weekends 10 a.m. open until 7:30 p.m. May through July and 7 p.m. August and September.

Photo credit: Cadencelee.

This park is worth the crowding. This park prides itself on being a boundless park that is accessible for all children. It can accommodate children in wheelchairs and even has brail signs for the visually impaired. There is a wide array of activities for the kids to embark on. Definitely bring your water clothes and sand toys! There is a spray ground that is great in the summer, and this park is sure to entertain your children for hours on end. The Monmouth County Park System states that this park is the first universally accessible playground in New Jersey.

4. Van Saun Park

Photo credit: NJ Playgrounds.

Address: Forest Ave. & Continental Ave. Paramus, NJ

Parking: Large parking lot across the street from park

Handicap Accessibility: Play structure fully dedicated to handicap accessability.

Hours: Dawn to dusk.

Photo credit: Galanter.

This park really accommodates all children. There are four play structures, two for toddlers and one that is specifically handicap accessible. There is a large area for eating with more than 30 tables as well as barbeques, so it is perfect for an all-day event. Conveniently across the street is the Van Suan County Zoo where there is also a train ride. There is also a carousel, pony rides, and a launch location for model rockets near the park.

5. Lyndhurst Town Park

Photo credit: NJ Kids Online.

Address: 367 Valley Brook Avenue Lyndhurst, NJ

Parking: Street

Handicap Accessibility: One handicap swing, play surface is wheelchair friendly, plenty of low-to-ground playthings.

Hours: Playground 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., spray ground open summer only 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo credit: NJ Kids Online.

This park doubles as both a playground and spray ground with lots of great play equipment and a mini water park in the summer. The equipment is modern and all play surfaces are padded for added fall protection. There are volunteers that make sure the spray ground stays safe for kids and that they are following the rules. Both play areas are fenced in. On suggestion: bring a chair if you would like to sit down and watch your children as this park does not have enough benches to accommodate how crowded it sometimes gets.

While choosing the safest playground is important, parents should still be ready in the event that an accident occurs. Be sure to always keep an eye on your child, intervening if you witness dangerous actions. Carry a first aid kit with you so that you can properly treat minor injuries, but in the case of more serious injuries know the closest emergency facility. In your kit you should have first aid ointment or disinfecting spray, bandages, gauze, non-latex gloves, sunscreen, tweezers (for splinters), children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and adhesive tape. It is also important that you make sure your child is properly clothed and is wearing appropriate footwear. To see more awesome parks in New Jersey check out NJ Playgrounds.

We all want our children to be free of injury, but when an accident does occur and it is the result of someone’s carless actions you may be entitled to compensation. The New Jersey injury lawyers at Console & Hollawell have defended the rights of children involved in accidents for more than 17 years. Call us toll-free today to set up your free consultation at (866) 778-5500.

Read More
« Older posts

  • How Can We Help?

    1. (required)
    2. (valid email required)
    3. (required)
    4. (required)
     

    cforms contact form by delicious:days