Illinois Injury Law Blog

Parents and other toy buyers are busy closing out the last of the holiday shopping season with last minute toy purchases for their little ones. Hopefully you have had a chance to check out the latest toy recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) because defective products are dangerous and can cause severe toy-related injuries to children in Chicago and throughout the country.

The CPSC anticipates that toy shopping will be a little easier this year with recent efforts made to keep defective toys out of the retail market completely. Several safeguards and stronger safety rules have been implemented to protect consumers from purchasing a defective toy that could later hurt a child. It is true that less toy recalls were made in fiscal year 2011 (34) than in 2010 (46) and that toy product recalls have gradually declined over the last several years. Still, 17 toy-related deaths and 181,500 toy-related injuries occurred in 2010 for children under the age of 15. This is far too many.

Cook County defective product injury attorneys know that in many cases a defect is not detected until reports are made that the toy caused an injury. Sometimes the report comes too late and a child suffers a choking, suffocation or strangulation accident or is exposed to a hazardous toxin like lead. We urge parents and other consumers to stay away from balloons, small rubber items or small balls because these products are often attributed to children choking or gagging hazards. Non-motorized scooters cause a high number of injuries like lacerations, contusions or broken bones that require a child to be treated at a hospital emergency room.

CPSC recalls can be found online. A few of the recent recalls include:

Baby Rattles from Toys Distribution Inc.: Units have been sold in toy stores before discovering the rattle can break into small parts causing a choking hazard to small children. The size of the handle on the rattle is also found to be small enough to fit into a baby's mouth putting children at risk of lacerations, bruises or choking when it becomes lodged in their throat. Consumers who have purchased the baby rattles should take them away from infants immediately.

Children's Henley Pima Cotton Pajamas from Bliss Collection LLC: approximately 2,300 units have been sold between January 2008 through June 2011 ranging in price from $48 to $58. The two-piece sleepwear offered in sizes from 2 to 12 for children doesn't meet federal standards for flammability and can pose a severe risk for burn injuries.

Parents, childcare providers, baby sitters and others are reminded that as children unwrap gifts during the holidays to discard excess cardboard, plastic wrappings or other packaging to avoid the risk of injury. Parents are also reminded to keep age-appropriate toys with their intended recipient or else smaller siblings could be at risk of a a toy-related injury from a toy meant for an older child.

Continue reading "CPSC Recalls Inform Illinois Shoppers of What 'Not To' Buy This Holiday Season; Reducing Toy-Related Injuries in Chicago, Elsewhere" »

Before you head out for your holiday shopping in Chicago and surrounding areas, you might want to check out the list of recalled products on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website to help you make wise decisions. The last thing consumers want is to purchase a toy or other gift only to find out later that it posed a danger that could cause personal injury or wrongful death in Chicago or elsewhere.

Defective-product injuries are complex and often require going head-to-head with large companies that retain powerful representatives. If you are ever involved in such a situation, consult with a qualified legal professional.

Illinois personal injury attorneys understand the potential risks that consumers take when purchasing gifts. There are thousands of defective toys and other products on the market that can cause serious injuries to children and adults alike. With a little research and intuitiveness, consumers can feel more at ease with the gift choices they are making.

Some recent recalled products posing potential hazards include:

Toulouse-LapTrec Magnetic Sketchboards: These items have been recalled for a choking hazard to small children. No injuries have been reported, but there have been 19 reports filed with the product's manufacturer, Battat Inc., regarding the magnetic tip separating from the pen. Roughly 95,000 of the sketchboards have been distributed in the U.S. and another 4,300 in Canada. Various online retailers have sold the units, as well as Target and Barnes & Noble stores nationwide from March 2010 to March 2011. If you have this product, don't allow children to use it and contact Battat Inc. to receive a replacement at no cost.

Disney Fairies Plastic Racing Trikes: This product, manufactured under the Disney license by Kiddieland Toys Limited, injured a 3-year-old who suffered a laceration to her face near an eye. The trike contains plastic fairy figures on the handle bar that pose a laceration danger if a child falls on it. The product has been remedied by enclosing the rotating display. If you have this item in your household, contact Kiddieland for a replacement.

General Electric Monogram® Pro Rangetop with Grill: There have been six reports of explosions from units using LP gas. There is a risk of delayed ignition or explosion when the gas control knob is left between off and lite. Approximately 470 units were sold from May 2008 through August 2011. For a full list of model and serial numbers being recalled, visit CPSC. If yours is on the list, two places to look for the model number and serial number on the grill are the bottom and behind the far left burner knob. If you have a defective product, contact GE to make an appointment for a free repair.

All consumers should be cautious of the gifts they are buying. Reduce the risk of injury by checking for product hazards before you buy.

Continue reading "Check Defective-Product Recall List Before Holiday Shopping in Chicago" »

Halloween night is the most dangerous evening of the year for child pedestrian accidents in Chicago and statewide. Children are not only at risk of being struck by a motorist, but they may also be involved in a trip-and-fall accident that could lead to a variety of injuries.

Illinois child injury lawyers know that parental concerns are magnified on this particular holiday, which is why talking to your children about Halloween dangers is important before they head out to trick-or-treat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 1975-1996 and published the results. During that time period, there were a total of 89 child pedestrians between the ages of 5-14 killed on October 31 from 4 to 10 p.m. On average, four children died every year on Halloween during these hours from 1975-1996 compared to an average of one death every other day of the year. It can be surmised that children are four times more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident on Halloween night than any other day.

AAA Chicago offers these Halloween reminders to motorists:

-Watch for mid-block crossers. Children may want to get to a house across the street rather than wait for an intersection so stay alert for children appearing in odd places.

-Pay special attention to traffic signs or markings in neighborhoods on this particular day of the year.

-Reduce your speed to 5 mph below the posted limit.

-Children dressed in costumes or wearing masks may not see you, so it is important to notice them. Look for bright costumes or reflector tape that makes children more visible.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Rosemont, Ill., reports that Halloween is one of the top three holidays for children requiring a trip to the emergency room. In looking at ER reports from 1997 to 2006, finger and hand injuries were the most common types of injuries treated on Halloween visits (17.6 percent). Children between the ages of 10-14 accounted for more than 30 percent of visits needing medical attention on Halloween during this time period. The study indicated that lacerations (33.3 percent) and fractures (20.1 percent) were the most common types of finger and hand injuries.

AAOS offers these injury prevention tips to parents this Halloween:

-Send your children trick-or-treating in comfortable, slip-resistant and exact-sized shoes.

-If a costume doesn’t contain bright features, sew on reflective tape or put a flashlight in their treat bucket to make children more visible.

-Make sure the costume your child chooses is flame-resistant and fits properly. Fall accidents and burn injuries are common on Halloween.

-Instruct children to stay on sidewalks and driveways rather than cut through yards or dark alleys.

-If carving pumpkins is a Halloween tradition, help children to hold a knife and never leave them unsupervised.

-Remind children of the dangers of talking to strangers and instruct them to only go to well-lit houses and homes they are familiar with.

-Children should only trick-or teat with adult supervision. Send a cell phone with your children if they are trick-or-treating in a group with others.

-Remind children to watch for moving cars and use extra caution by walking slowly across the street. Use crosswalks whenever possible.

Continue reading "Halloween Risk of Child Pedestrian Accidents Resulting in Injuries in Chicago" »

According to the Chicago Tribune, Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a bill that will make Illinois the 28th state to adopt a version of the Zachery Lystedt Law, a law that protects youth suffering from a concussion to re-enter a game without medical clearance.

Chicago personal injury lawyers agree that the law comes at a good time as students head back to school and begin their fall sports season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that children ages 5 to 18 are most at risk of youth sports and recreation injuries in Chicago or elsewhere, especially when it comes to concussions or traumatic brain injuries.

Approximately 135,000 youth are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or concussions suffered from a sports or recreation-related injury. Concussions are dangerous for this age group not only because once a youth experiences a concussion they become more susceptible but because youth are more likely to get a concussion and take much longer to recover than an adult does.

A former athlete himself, Quinn finally signed off on the bill because he recognizes the dangers involved when kids want to get back on the field and coaches want their star athlete performing despite what is best for them from a medical standpoint.

"A lot of coaches are set in their ways,'' Quinn said. "But you don't want some kid you coached a decade from now with post-traumatic stress disorder or a brain disorder. You don't want that on your conscience even though that boy or that girl wants to go in the game.''

The Zackery Lystedt Law was House Bill 1824 and, passed back in 2009, requires medical clearance before an athlete can return to a game, practice or training after suffering a concussion. Key points include:

-Any youth who sustains a concussion or is suspected to have a concussion must be removed immediately from the game or practice.

-At the start of each season, parents and student-athletes must sign an information sheet about concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

-A licensed healthcare provider must put in writing a medical clearance when an athlete can return to play following a concussion-related injury.

-School districts must work with coaches, parents and young athletes on educating them about the dangers and risks of a concussion and what returning to play could mean to a youth athlete if further damage is done.

Last month the CDC Foundation announced a joint effort with the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) to initiate the Heads Up to Parents program. The educational program will provide parents with facts about how to protect and prevent youth from concussions and what to do when a child suffers a concussion at a sporting event.

"The CDC is working on a series of projects focused on preventing and reducing the long-term impact of sports-related head injuries. Public-private partnerships, such as this one supported by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, are helping the CDC get important, science-based messages out to parents, athletes, coaches and partners," said Charles Stokes, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation. "We are proud to be able to connect the CDC with NOCSAE to help parents get the facts about concussion in sports, and we thank NOCSAE for their support of this important program."

It takes less than 30 minutes to take the Heads Up Online Training Course. Parents are encouraged to get involved and take the course so you know what to look for if your young injured athlete gets a concussion from a hard hit on the field.

Continue reading "Illinois Sports Injuries Lead to Concussions, Head Trauma and Concern for Parents" »

Our lawyers at VanPopering Law Offices want to wish you and your family a safe and fun Fourth of July holiday weekend.

And for those who will be venturing out onto the roads and highways of our state and in our region, please be careful. As previously reported in the Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, there will be an estimated 39 million drivers out on the roads this holiday weekend.

But others may choose to simply stay close to home. Whether that means spending time in the family swimming pool, heading to the community swimming pool or maybe taking a boat or personal watercraft out on Lake Michigan, injuries can happen anywhere.

Boating accidents: Because boating accidents automatically have the built-in risk of drowning, boat operators must exercise the highest level of care when using a vessel. And because law enforcement marine units often can have a lag time because of how fast they can travel or finding a distressed boater, being cautious is important to staying safe.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in 2009 there were 329,032 registered boats statewide. And in that same year, there were 102 accidents, causing 70 injuries and 25 deaths.

The number of deaths was 92 percent higher than the 13 deaths in 2008 and the highest number since 27 people died on Illinois waters in 1996. In 2009, 213 people were cited for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol. And of the 102 accidents, in 11 alcohol was the primary cause.

Swimming accidents: With the summer months here, swimming will no doubt be on the minds of children throughout Illinois. A distant memory are the harsh, brutal cold months and now kids want to enjoy the warm sun.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007 there were 3,443 fatal unintentional drownings nationwide. And children are especially at risk. Children ages 1 to 4 had the highest drowning rates. Almost 30 percent of children in that age range died of drowning.

And while drowning is a big concern, swimming pools can cause other injuries as well. Running along the edge and slipping can cause broken bones, bruising and even head injuries. Near-drowning incidents can cause lifelong brain injuries as well.

Fireworks accidents: While many will show up to watch the fireworks on Lake Michigan this weekend, some people will choose to light fireworks at home. While Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers recommend leaving fireworks up to the professionals, if you choose to light fireworks at home, be careful.

In 2008, the CDC reports, 7,000 people were injured and seven others killed in fireworks accidents. These products can cause severe burning as well as injuries to the eyes, hands, fingers and legs. Don't let young children handle fireworks and keep a safe distance from the fireworks being lit.

Here are some safety tips from The National Council on Fireworks Safety:

Use fireworks outdoors only
Obey local laws
Always have water handy
Use fireworks always as intended
Don't use homemade fireworks
Never relight a "dud" firework
Don't mix alcohol and fireworks
Only allow people over 12 to handle sparklers

Continue reading "Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Wish You a Safe and Happy Fourth of July" »

A recent firework accident in Chicago left a 47-year-old man dead, according to The Republic. The actual cause of death is currently being investigated by the DuPage County coroner's office. Witnesses believe his death was a direct cause of the exploding firework.

The man was reportedly lighting fireworks in a parking lot when one exploded near the ground and killed the man. Others suffered injury from the explosion, according to the Addison Fire Department.

Our Illinois personal injury lawyers recognize that the 4th of July holiday is quickly approaching and we urge all residents to be cautious when lighting off fireworks. Oftentimes the holiday can result in serious, and even fatal, injuries. We ask everyone to make safety as a number one priority for the upcoming holiday. Leaving the fireworks to the professionals is always your best bet.

The National Council on Firework Safety offers you these firework safety tips to help you celebrate injury free:

-Only light fireworks outdoors.

-Always keep water, either a hose or a bucket, near you when lighting fireworks.

-Never relight a "dud." Wait 20 minutes and then allow it to soak inside a bucket of water.

-One use fireworks as they're intended. Do not try to combine them together or alter their function.

-Obey local laws pertaining to the use of fireworks.

-Don't drink and light fireworks. Always have a "designated shooter."

-If you are the designated shooter, wear glasses when lighting a firework.

-Do not allow those under the age of 12 to handle sparklers or any other firework.

There were an estimated 7,000 people who were treated in emergency rooms for injuries from fireworks in 2008. This number averages out to more than 19 people severely injured from fireworks every day. More than half of the 7,000 injuries were sustained by children. More than two out of every three of injuries in 2009 happened between June 20th and July 20th, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of these injuries were to the hands and fingers, eyes and legs.

Most of the injuries from fireworks were caused by firecrackers as they resulted in approximately 900 injuries. Sparklers came in a close second as they caused roughly 800 injuries and firecrackers ranked third causing an estimated 500 injuries.

Continue reading "Season Approaching for Increased Risk of Firework Injuries in Illinois and Elsewhere" »

As parents, we have a growing concern of keeping our children safe. When it comes to newborns, it’s a parents' responsibility to do their homework when it comes to purchasing consumer products that could potentially cause injuries to children in Chicago.

The Illinois personal injury lawyers at VanPopering Law offices report that cribs are generally at the top of the list for defective products -- often recalled by manufactures for their safety hazards.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Crib Information Center is available to parents as a resource to remain updated on the latest nursery product recalls. Over 11 million recalls have been reported since 2007 on cribs, bassinets, and play yards. Nurseries are meant to be a safe place for infants since that is where they spend much of their time. Maintaining a safe environment for your young child is of utmost importance.

The CPSC offers a few suggestions to parents when it comes to nursery safety. Parents should never place pillows or blankets in the crib with an infant as they may pose a suffocation risk. In this difficult economy, parents may want to accept hand-me-downs to avoid the initial hit of high costs for newborns. That being said, never accept a used crib that is over 10 years old or that has been broken. Safety standards are continually improving and most older cribs don't meet current standards that are in place.

Broken slats or loosened hardware can lead to entrapment or strangulation. Parents should never place a crib near a window with blind cords or a baby monitor cord. Dangling cords are another easy way for a baby to become entangled and choke to death. If you purchase a crib for your infant you should first make sure it hasn't been recalled. Assembling the crib is critical and should only be done with step-by-step instructions by the manufacturer. Failure to assemble the crib correctly can lead to collapse.

Baby center offers the following suggestions when purchasing a crib for your infant:

-First and foremost, look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association certification which signifies the product was tested for quality and safety.

-The slats on the crib should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.

-The interior of the crib should be at least 51 ¾ inches long by 27 ¾ inches wide.

-Make sure your crib has an adjustable mattress height for when the baby starts to sit and the mattress needs lowered.

-Shake the crib at the store to test the stability.

-Some cribs are now being made versatile so that they can be turned into a toddler bed or children's bench. In an effort to save some money in the future this can be tempting but make sure the crib functions in the right capacity for what your needs are.

Continue reading "Crib Safety Critical to Preventing Infant Injury in Chicago" »

As young drivers head into a busy but exciting time of year, our Chicago personal injury attorneys want to remind teens to drive responsibly and be careful when driving on Illinois roadways.

With the excitement of Spring Break, prom, and graduation right around the corner, teens are most at risk of Chicago car accidents related to distracted driving or driving under the influence.

The leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds is motor vehicle crashes, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, over 2,700 young drivers were killed, and another 228,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes.

NHTSA reported that in 2008, 31% of young drivers killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 or higher. Alcohol-related crashes for young drivers are more prominent in males than females in reported data for 2008. Young drivers are also less likely to be restrained by sea tbelts in alcohol-related crashes.

Teens are often tempted this time of year to participate in parties that involve underage drinking. A recent article in Trib Local reported several teens cited for underage drinking at two separate parties that led to an alleged DUI accident. At both parties, numerous teens were charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. In addition, one 17 year-old was charged with resisting a police officer when he became argumentative about the situation.

In a separate incident, a 16-year old believed to have been drinking and taking drugs, was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped after hitting a tree. Though the driver was of age to drink, he was tested over the legal limit at a BAC of .23. Both were charged of alcohol-related crimes but the driver was also cited for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Teens are reminded to not fall into temptation when celebrating milestones like proms and graduations in the next few months. Celebrating at parties with friends can be fun but only if you survive and return home safely. Underage drinking is illegal and dangerous so refrain from peer pressure so that you and other motorist can remain safe on Illinois roadways. And above all, do not drink and drive.

Continue reading "Spring brings high risk of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers" »

Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall of almost 800,000 child safety seats manufactured by Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) following a formal investigation that began last March.

Our personal injury lawyers in Chicago are reminding parents to check their car seats because your child's safety could be in jeopardy. Defective products are a growing concern, and in this case, could lead to a serious or fatal injury in an Illinois car accident or a traffic accident elsewhere in the United States.

DJG is recalling the safety seats due to the harness locking and release button not always working sufficiently. The button is designed to return to its locked position but doesn't always do so. As a result, the harness adjustment strap can slide back through the adjuster as a child moves around in the seat. A loose harness endangers the child by not strapping them in safely and can lead to serious or fatal injury in a car crash.

The child safety seats in question were manufactured from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009. They have a Center Front Adjuster for the harness. Recalled models include convertible, infant, and booster child restraint systems, sold both as stand-alone seats and as part of a travel system.

DJG is providing all consumers with a remedy kit meant to repair the problem. The kit will include instructions on how to apply the non-toxic lubricant to the Central Front Adjuster in order to prevent the sticking which will then allow the CFA to properly engage and lock into position. Consumers are instructed to apply a repair label once the procedure has been completed so that the problem is known to have been taken care of.

Consumers are still permitted to use the child safety seats up until the kit arrives from DJG. Parents and caregivers can pull on the shoulder part of the harness to make sure it is secure. If loose, they should adjust the harness and make sure the lock and release button is in the locked position before putting the vehicle in drive.

For a full list of models being recalled, consumers can visit Safercar.gov. Consumers can also contact the manufacturer directly by calling 1-866-623-3139.

Continue reading "Defective car seat illustrates risk of dangerous products in Chicago" »

Some schools that don't have the funding to offer driver education courses still have an opportunity to drive the point home to teens that get behind the wheel and drive distracted.

Ford Motor Company and Governors Highway Safety Association is providing the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program to 30 high schools in 15 states to teach teens about the dangers of driving distracted and driving under the influence according to a recent article in USA Today.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers applaud the efforts made by Ford Motor Co. Distracted driving is a common cause when young drivers are involved in Chicago car accidents.

Last month we posted on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog that 16% of fatal crashes in 2009 involved a distraction-related cause. We also reported that the under-20 age group had the highest involvement in distracted driving fatal crashes, which was approximately 16% in 2009. Teens all over the country are being encouraged to participate in contests like the JST DRV radio public service announcement competition to bring awareness about the dangers of distracted driving to their age group.

Ford Motor Co. also accepts that challenge with the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program, which is a one day, three-course driver program; the company pays about $35,000 in costs for each clinic. The program is meant to give teens a hands-on experience with distracted driving situations as well as other common threats faced when driving. Participants are put in simulated experiences that teach them what it is like to drive while over the legal limit, drive in icy or treacherous road conditions, and drive with in-vehicle distractions causing them to lose their focus.

The one-day clinic evolved from a Ford program already established in Tazewell County, IL where 15 teens were killed in a 15-month period as a result of motor vehicle crashes. Ford designed a teen-driving-safety program that cut the death totals to zero for four consecutive years in the county's 7 schools. The program eventually expanded to include 100 schools statewide and has helped to cut young driver deaths in Illinois by 50%.

One difference in the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program, compared to other programs being offered, is the real life experience that teens are put in. An example is the drunken-driving course which places teens in a Ford Fusion. The teens drive sober around the course with orange cones; then are asked to put on Innocorp Fatal Vision goggles that simulate the driver driving with a blood alcohol content of .08. Teens experience first-hand the difference between driving sober and driving over the legal limit.

As an added incentive for teens to participate, Ford is sponsoring a songwriting contest. The Belt it Out contest requires teens to compose and record a song about distracted driving dangers. The winner will be awarded a $5,000 grand prize for the best composition.

Continue reading "Ford program aims to reduce risk of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers" »

Holiday shopping for your kids brings on a whole new dimension when you take on the safety precautions involved with purchasing toys. It’s a good time of year for you to consider the toys that are safest for your children. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys want you to realize the common danger of defective toys and products before you purchase them.

A good source to use in keeping current with defective products is the Consumer Products Safety Commission. The CPSC updates constantly on product defects and recalls so you know what is safe to buy for your family. Some of the most recent toy product recalls were Rocking Horse toys, bathtub toys, and inflatable balls. The goal of the CPSC is to protect consumers from buying a faulty product that can potentially burn, electrocute, or cause personal injury or wrongful death to to inherent defect of design or manufacture. The worst way to learn if a toy is not made up to standards is through personal experience.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Public Research Interest Group (USPIRG) putting out the Trouble in Toy Land report. Over 250,000 kids ended up in the emergency room last year due to toy related injuries. THE USPRIG puts out this report annually to try to prevent these kinds of injuries from happening. In this year's report you will find safety guidelines for purchasing toys as well as toys that are currently in stores that could likely cause a threat to your child.

The USPIRG offers the following hazards to look for this holiday season:

-Choking is the leading cause of child fatalities due to toy-related incidents. Buy bigger toys, read the warning labels, and don't give small balls or balloons to a young child.

-Refrain from buying magnetic toys because if swallowed they can cause serious intestinal damage to a child.

-Batteries, if swallowed, can be fatal so keep toys with a battery away from a child if unsupervised.

-Noisy toys can not only be annoying, they can do serious damage to a child's ears. If a toy is too loud you should either cover the speakers or take the toy away from the child.

-Toys with cords or drawstrings can be potentially dangerous so as an example, don't hang mobiles within reaching distance of a baby's crib.

-Avoid buying toys with PVC plastic, lead or other contaminants. You should read the label before purchasing play make-up or a toy that has been painted.

Continue reading "Chicago consumers consider toy defects before purchasing this holiday season" »

Our Chicago injury lawyers wish each of you a happy holiday season and encourage you to take extra precautions in keeping children safe around cars at family gatherings.

Backover accidents occur on an average of 50 children in the U.S. each week. As a result, 48 of those children are sent to the hospital with injuries while two others result in death. The common age of the children for these types of accidents is 12-23 months. Most often this tragedy happens in the child’s own driveway. More disturbing is the fact that 70 % of the time the driver is a family member or somehow related to the family.

Kids and Cars reports that between 2004 – 2008 almost 42% of non-traffic fatalities involving children under the age of 15 were caused by backover accidents.

As vehicles get larger so do their blind spots. This is a significant factor in backover accidents. Consumer Reports found that some vehicles have a 50 foot long blind spot. For example, an experiment showed over 20 children fit in the blind spot of someone sitting in a large SUV. Over 60 % of backover accidents involve large size vehicles.

Tips to prevent this tragedy:

-Count the number of children playing near your vehicle before you get in and look to see that you can see all of them from inside the vehicle before moving.

-Roll down the windows and turn off the radio when reversing your car so that you can hear any child approaching the vehicle.

-When putting your car in reverse to back out of a driveway or parking spot, have complete control of the vehicle in order to stop immediately.

-If your car is moving in reverse, check all mirrors and look over both shoulders until it is safe to put your car in drive.

Though some vehicles come equipped with detection devices (back-up cameras, warning sounds) nothing takes the place of checking around your vehicle.

Continue reading "Children at risk of backover accidents in Illinois during holiday gatherings" »

The Chicago Tribune recently reported that a case of Chicago nursing home neglect and abuse has been allowed to worsen at a facility charged with the care of disabled children -- despite the knowledge of state regulators regarding the conditions.

A 4-year-old boy died in the facility when he had problems breathing and no one responded to the alarm. Less than a month later, nearly the same thing happened to a 4-year-old girl. State regulators found the alarms had not been properly set and had been turned so low they could not be heard.

Such lax care standards have repeatedly put fragile children at risk in the Aiden Village North facility. Our Chicago child injury lawyers were appalled by the report and encourage anyone with a loved one at the home, or with knowledge of its conditions, to contact a law firm experienced in dealing with nursing home neglect and abuse cases.

The Tribune found records dating back decades that detail the same problems. Even as the owners of the homes changed, the dangerous conditions persisted: Illnesses ignored, life-support alarms unanswered, and residents left without proper care. Instead of cracking down, regulators have allowed the problems to worsen.

Which brings us to a primary consideration when choosing a nursing home. Sure you can check a home's ratings. And you can review past inspections. But relying upon a bureaucratic system of the state or federal government's is no sure way to ensure the safety of a loved one. It is incumbent upon each one of us to police the system and do what is necessary to protect the most vulnerable among us when neglect or abuse is occurring unabated.

The Tribune reports the state's oversight is so week -- and relies upon self reporting -- that it cannot gauge the care being received by residents in 300 facilities for those with developmental disabilities.

In 2008 alone, five children died at Aiden within three months and yet thorough investigations were not conducted.

Continue reading "Disabled children subject to neglect at Chicago nursing home facility" »

The federal government has taken the long-overdue step of mandating new safety measures for baby cribs and essentially ending the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs, CNN reported.

Our Illinois child injury lawyers encourage parents to check their baby cribs frequently for dangerous safety hazards. Loose or missing screws or brackets, and split or missing mattress supports, slats or railings are common hazards that can increase the risk of an infant's serious injury or death.

More than 36 infant deaths have been blamed on drop-side cribs in the past several years. The new rules are expected to go into effect next year and will essentially ban the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs, regardless of whether that particular model has been recalled or identified as posing a safety hazard.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 100 children's products this year, including at least a dozen models of drop-side cribs. Common hazards include falls, suffocation and children who get their heads caught between a mattress and railing. The dangers are blamed on poor construction and design, including faulty hardware, poor wood quality and dangerous gaps created by mattress support failures. The new rules would forbid retailers from selling cribs that do not meet the new safety standards.

Many hotels, motels and child-care facilities would also have to purchase new cribs.

Just last week, Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs became the latest recall issued by the federal government. About 82,000 cribs were recalled because of a risk of entrapment, suffocation and fall hazards.

Here is a list of child products the government has recalled.

Here is a list of toys the government has recalled.

Continue reading "Government's plan to forbid sale of drop-side cribs will reduce risk of Illinois child injuries" »

A New Trier High School student is facing misdemeanor DUI charges after a Chicago pedestrian accident that seriously injured a fellow student. The Sun-Times reports the defendant admitted to smoking marijuana the night before the accident.

She is accused of hitting a sophomore student on May 14 as the teen crossed the street in front of the school. Authorities say she fled the scene after the accident. She also faces a felony charge of failing to stop after an injury accident.

Car accidents among young drivers are an ongoing concern heading into summer. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that teenagers ages 16-20 have the highest injury rate among all Illinois drivers. In 2008, 104 young drivers were killed in accidents and almost 13,000 were injured.

As a result, the Illinois Secretary of State's Office has instituted a Graduated Driver's License Program.

15-year-old Permit Drivers:
-Parental permission to obtain permit.
-Must enroll in approved driving course and pass vision and written exams.
-Prohibited from driving on weeknights from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and on weekends from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
-Must have permit for 9 months.
-50 hours of minimum driving practice.
-No citations.
-No cell phone use.

16-17-year-olds Initial Licensing Phase:
-Completed state-approved driver education course.
-Must maintain conviction-free driving record for six months before turning 18 in order to be eligible for full driving rights.
-Limited to one passenger under 18 unless a sibling or child of the driver.
-Prohibits cell phone use.

Additionally, studies continue to show that teens are at high-risk for being involved in accidents involving alcohol or drugs. Twenty-eight percent of young drivers killed in automobile accidents had been drinking, according to Students Against Destructive Decisions (an organization you and I remember as Students Against Drunk Driving).

Continue reading "Teen faces DUI charge for Chicago pedestrian accident; young drivers at high risk for traffic crashes" »

A recent study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, looked at parents whose children had been hospitalized due to injuries suffered in traffic accidents. According to the study, 37% of those parents were themselves suffering from “acute stress disorder” a month after their child’s injury, and 15% of them had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that lasted even longer than six months.

The study highlights the need to address every family member’s reaction to the emotional aftermath following an injury to a child. In their effort to help the child recover, the parents might otherwise ignore their own symptoms, or miss warning signs from the child’s siblings, who may not be physically injured but may still need help in getting past their fears.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has created a website designed to help families deal with a child’s recovery from an injury. www.aftertheinjury.org offers various tips and resources, including advice on when parents should seek professional help in dealing with their own anxiety. If parents feel that they are thinking too much about the child’s injury; or, in contrast, are avoiding talking about the injury or being in the area where the injury took place; or find themselves generally anxious about other things, and these worries and actions interfere with their normal activities or last longer than one month, the website encourages parents to get professional help.

Following a car accident, some injuries are fairly easy to assess and treat; as this study shows, however, the resulting emotional injures may be diffused through an entire family and may last far longer than the physical damage.

Continue reading "Helping Families Recover after a Child Is Injured" »