By Wayne Grant on May 23, 2012 -
Each summer, as temperatures climb, so do reports about children losing their lives after being left in a closed vehicle baking in the sun. With this year’s unseasonably warm spring weather, two deaths have already been reported in two separate states. Infants in both Missouri and Texas have lost their lives after accidentally being left in the family vehicle as the sun shone and outdoor temps climbed into the 80s.
About 38 children lose their lives nationwide each year after becoming locked inside a hot vehicle, according to research from San Francisco State University. The majority of them are young children riding in safety seats who are simply overlooked. Often, the caregiver is on a different schedule than usual or gets distracted and doesn’t realize a child has been left in the car.
About 20 percent of children who lose their lives in overheating cars get in because they are playing around the vehicle or in its trunk, and then are locked in. Parents and caregivers can help prevent these deaths and injuries by always locking the vehicle after double-checking that everyone is outside it, by keeping keys where children can’t reach them, and by never allowing kids to play in the car.
If a child you love has been injured by the possible negligence of a caregiver or by a defective auto product, please don’t hesitate to call an experienced Atlanta child injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. We can help you figure out what happened and hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions. For a free, confidential telephone consultation, call our office today at (404) 995-3955.
By Wayne Grant on August 15, 2011 -
The fun of being a child is running, jumping, playing, and trying new things, but, because they are young and still developing, children tend to do these things in clumsy or awkward ways. Every parent has experienced their child coming home with a new bruise or scrape. Minor colds, fevers and infections are also common. Children usually bounce back easily from such minor issues, but some child injuries and illnesses are not caused by a child’s innocent curiosity or clumsiness. The negligence and/or wrongdoing of others can also cause children’s injuries and these are not always so easy to recover from.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Drownings are the leading cause of injury and/or death for children between 1 and 4 years-old. Three children die as a result of drowning every day;
- 435 children, ages 0-19, are treated in emergency room departments every day for burn-related injuries. Two children die from burn injuries every day.
- Falls are the main cause of non-fatal child injuries. Approximately 8,000 children are treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries;
- 374 children are treated in emergency departments and two die every day as a result of poisonings;
- 150 children are treated in emergency departments for injuries caused by vehicle crashes every hour; and
- Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children between 5 and 19 years-old.
Other causes for children’s injuries include defective, unsafe, or recalled child products such as toys, strollers, cribs, car seats and even clothing. Many of the causes of child injury and death, as identified by the CDC, may be the result of negligent supervision. Violence and abuse can also cause devastating injuries.
Children have the right to a bright and promising future. If your child has been injured in Georgia by the negligence or wrongdoing of another, our dedicated Atlanta child injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., can help you pursue compensation for the losses and damages your child has suffered. Child injuries cannot always be prevented, but a child’s future can be protected. To learn more about how we can help you and your child, call us today for a consultation at 866-249-5513 or 404-995-3955.
