Articles Posted in Injuries to Minors and Children

According to the experts at the Institute for Sports Medicine at the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, a number of serious injuries have resulted from cheerleading across the country in the past few years, as cheerleading has become more competitive. According to the same source, cheerleading causes 60-70% of all catastrophic injuries in high school girls’ sports. The concern is that the number of girls taking part in this sport is increasing and routines are becoming increasingly acrobatic, which could mean even more injury risk in the near future.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other organizations have suggested that more needs to be done to promote safety within the sport. Currently, falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in the sport. These often cause head injuries in Miami and other communities, as well as fractures, strains, back injuries, and neck injuries.

Head and spinal cord injuries in Miami and other communities are especially a concern for the Florida cheerleading community, as these can potentially result in permanent injury. For these and other reasons, the AAP has argued that cheerleading should be classified as a sport, to ensure that it gets treated with the same concern as other contact sports that require additional safety precautions.

According to safety experts, if cheerleading were classified as a sport across the country, participants would be protected by additional regulations and would have access to more athletic and health resources. For example, participants would be able to access trained medical staff, certified coaches, and certified facilities. The would also be required to take part in conditioning and strengthening programs, which some experts say could help prevent some injuries.

According to the AAP, many cheerleading-related injuries to children and minors in Miami and other communities could be prevented if tumbling were permitted only on padded or soft surfaces and if excessively high human pyramids were banned.

A big part of the problem, experts say, is that many view cheerleading as a fun activity rather than a serious sport. This attitude means that some parents and schools do not realize the very serious injury potential that is possible with cheerleading.

If your child is currently part of a cheerleading program, make sure that your child works with coaches and staff who are concerned about safety. Encourage your child to take part in strength training and conditioning as well as practice, to build up muscles and skills that can help prevent an accident. Speak to the program organizers and other parents about safety measures being taken to keep the athletes safe.

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If you live in Miramar and have children home from school for the summer break, now is the time to review safety rules and regulations to prevent injuries and tragedies. Safety experts agree that parents need to:

1) Practice pool safety. Many pool injuries in Miramar – such as drowning – are silent, so vigilance is key. Never leave small children unattended near bodies of water, even in toddler wading pools. A child can fall into a pool and can drown in just a few minutes in a few inches of water. When hosting a pool party or vacationing near a body water, make sure that there are always at least a few adults watching the children. If have a pool at your home, install an alarm system, fence, and self-locking gate to ensure that no one can enter the pool area without supervision.

2) Protect children from heat and sun. Sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and sunburn are all serious problems for children. To protect children, make sure that toddlers are kept in the shade and protect older children with sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen frequently. Do not let children stay in the car when running errands – even in the shade, the summer sun can be hot enough to seriously endanger a child after only a few minutes.

3) Keep children safe on road trips. Keep children in age-appropriate five-point harness in the car for as long as the child’s weight allows. For older children, continue to use booster seats for as long as the seat belt continues to hit the neck area. If you are ever in a car accident in Miramar, these simple tips can reduce the risk of accident for your children. Children are far less likely to be injured if they are kept in the back seat and in age-appropriate child restraints. The front seat may seem more fun for children, but in the event of a traffic collision seat belts and air bags pose a serious head injury risk, as the devices are designed for adult passengers. Traffic collisions in Miramar are one of the leading causes of serious summertime injuries for children, so take the extra steps to keep children safe.

4) Check the fire alarms and smoke detectors in your home. Summer is a time for barbecues and with dry conditions that can mean a higher risk of fires. This is also a good time to review fire escape routes with your family.

5) Get your children new bicycle helmets if their helmets are older. If your child is in a bicycle accident in Miramar, a helmet is the best way to prevent injury. One of the best ways to ensure that your child actually wears their helmet is to let them choose a helmet they like. In addition to setting up bicycle rules and insisting on a helmet, reviewing traffic safety rules is also important in prevent bike accidents.

6) Review caregiver and summer program information. Make sure that anyone who is responsible for your children in the summer is safe, has a good track record, and is reliable. Ensure that they have your up-to-date contact information.

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Children who are seriously injured in Miami or other Florida cities are often innocent victims who suffer due to someone’s negligence or recklessness. If your child has been injured and you believe that the injury was caused by a preventable situation or by someone’s negligence or recklessness, you will want to get immediate medical help for your child. Even if your child does not appear to have injuries, you will want to have a medical professional evaluate your child. In some cases, symptoms may not be apparent right away.

Once you have received medical attention for your child, you will want to secure financial resources so that you can provide the best care possible during your child’s recovery. If your child has been injured in a car accident in Miami or another community, you may have car insurance to help cover costs. However, what happens if your child is injured in a playground accidents or through another type of incident? However your child is injured, it is advisable to contact a personal injury attorney in Miami or your community to review your options.

There are many causes of child injury claims in Miami and Florida:

•Bicycle defects
•Lack of maintenance on roadways or bicycle pathways
•Dog bites or animal attacks
•Injuries caused by fireworks
•Landlords who do not correctly maintain a property
•Caregivers living children unattended in a car
•Vaccination side effects
•Medical or pharmacy negligence
•Drug manufacturer negligence
•Suffocation and choking injuries
•Pool injuries caused by inadequate safety precautions
•Burn injuries
•Heat stroke and heat-related injuries
•Slip and fall accidents
•Incorrectly stored or incorrectly sold firearms
•Incorrectly stored or incorrectly sold fireworks
•Boating accidents
•Backover car accidents
•ATV accidents
•Carbon monoxide poisoning
•Poisoning with household chemicals
•Incorrect maintenance of public property
•Inadequate security at a school, day care, or other property where children frequently spend time
•Defective playground equipment and amusement park rides
•Defective seatbelts or child safety restraints
•Lack of supervision at parks, playgrounds, and schools
•Defective cribs and toys
No matter what causes a child’s injuries, when injuries are caused by negligence or recklessness, many families feel that they have a duty to hold those accountable responsible for the injury so that other children are not hurt. Seeking answers and seeking justice are only natural after a serious injury and in many cases they can help provide closure, financial resources for medical care, as well as important safety changes that can prevent future injuries.

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Now that most school-age children are looking forward to the summer months, many parents are worried about the possible risks of the weeks to come. Summertime often means more trips to clinics and emergency rooms as children run around and explore the great outdoors and take part in summer programs. Parents can reduce the risk of injury by:

1) Carefully reviewing summer plans and options. If your child will be in daycare during the summer, at camp, or in another activity, research the safety record of the people who will be responsible for your child. Look for camps and summer activities with good track records and strong written safety policies.

2) Reviewing bicycle safety. Make sure that your children know basic bicycle safety rules and set limits on where children can bike. Ensure that each child has a good quality helmet to help prevent a trip to the ER for a head injury.

3) Signing teen drivers up for additional driver training. Do you have a new driver in your home? Summer is an ideal time to hone driving skills and to reduce your teen’s risk of a car accident. Sign your teen up for additional training, defensive driving, or even racing classes to help them learn more about driving. Car collisions in Miami and other communities continue to be the leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities for teens and children, so teach your new driver how to handle a car safely.

4) Reviewing water safety. Pool injuries and drowning incidents in Miami and other Florida communities are a common concern for parents. If you have a pool, be sure that it has a fence and a self-locking gate. If at all possible, set up an alarm system so that you can be alerted if anyone wanders into the pool area. Review water safety with your children and enroll younger children in swimming classes to reduce their risk of injury.

5) Getting a car tune-up. You will likely be dropping your children off at summer activities often and you may have a car trip planned as well. This is the time to take your car in to check that it is running correctly.

6) Setting rules to prevent dog bites. Dog bites in Miami and other communities result in devastating injuries, including scarring, head injuries, fatalities, and fractures. Teach your children not to approach unfamiliar pets and animals. If you have a dog, make sure that it gets regular vet visits as well as obedience training to reduce the risk of bites.

7) Updating the home fire safety plan. Summer can mean a higher risk of fires. Conditions are hot and dry – perfect for fire – and many families take part in grilling, outdoor fire activities, and other activities that come with risk. To prevent burn injuries in Miami or your community, make sure that your smoke detectors are working and review fire safety and your fire emergency plan with the whole family.

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ATVs are a cause of concern for pediatricians and emergency room doctors, since these vehicles are causing many Miami injuries to children and minors. In October of this year, two young boys in Liberty County were seriously injured while riding ATVs without adult supervision and without helmets. Many other accidents involving children on ATVs are reported across Florida and the US each year.

How to Stop ATV Accidents

There are many steps parents can take to reduce the risk of ATV accidents when children ride on these vehicles. Manufacturers of ATVs print checklists and information about the vehicles, including safety information. For example, ATVs are measured in CCs and there are limits are to what age groups are allowed to ride which level of CCs. Choosing an ATV with a CC too high for the age group makes the vehicle more difficult to control and makes it more likely that the ATV will be in a crash.

Florida laws require ATV riders under the age of 17 to only ride with adult supervision and only while on private property and while wearing a helmet. Yet, authorities say, many children who are seriously injured on ATVs are not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Miami head injuries are a leading cause of ATV-related injuries and fatalities, so parents who allow their children to ride on ATVs should ensure that their children wear helmets at all times.

In many cases, ATV accidents also occur because children and riders choose to drive on regular streets rather than staying away from traffic areas. ATVs are designed for off-road riding and are not meant to share the road with larger vehicles. In a Miami car accident, an ATV has no chance due to the open nature of the vehicle and the smaller size of the vehicle. ATV riders in this type of accident are likely to stain serious and even fatal injuries.

Why ATV Accidents Occur

ATV accidents can also occur for many of the same reasons that Miami car accidents occur. Riders may be under the influence when they ride or may ignore traffic laws and signals. Riders may drive distracted or recklessly, increasing the risk of an ATV Miami traffic accident. Since ATVs are designed differently, there is a rollover risk with these vehicles, and since ATVs are often taken on rough terrain, the rougher terrain can also pose a rollover risk and accident risk.

ATV riders should follow all instructions that come with ATVs in order to stay safe on the roads. This means wearing helmets, riding ATVs where allowed, and generally using common sense. Children who ride ATVs should only do so under parental supervision. Many ATV accidents involving minors and children involve children who are riding without adult supervision. In addition, it is important for ATV riders to get experience and safety instruction before hopping on. The more experienced a rider is, the more likely they are to avoid accidents and serious injury.

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During the holiday season, many Coral Gables families enjoy exchanging gifts. For many children, toys and presents are big part of the holiday season. While exchanging gifts and enjoying toys should be big part of the holiday season for any child, each year children and adults are seriously injured or even killed by defective products. It can be especially tragic for a child to be injured or killed by a defective toy that was given as a present. There are many things that parents can do to help prevent these types of Coral Gables personal injuries:

1) Choose toys from established companies or local companies with good track records. When shopping for toys and gifts, consider safety as well as the popularity of a toy. Choose toys from established and local companies, and opt for toys that have a reputation for being safe. There are many websites that track toys and review them for safety as well as other features. Consider visiting these sites before making your purchasing decisions.

2) Follow age suggestions for toys carefully. A toy that is perfectly safe for an older child may pose a choking hazard for a younger child. Always choose age-appropriate toys, as they are the safer option and less likely to cause Coral Gables injuries to children.

3) Do not buy used toys. Used toys are attractive because of their price and uniqueness, but used toys can be a problem. They may be altered or damaged in a way that causes them to be unsafe. Used, older toys may also have been recalled. Where possible, buy new toys or get a gift certificate that a child can use at a toy store. It is often the safer option.

4) Do not alter toys. Toys are designed to be safe when they are used as intended. Altering toys in any way can make them less safe. Electronic toys may cause Coral Gables burn injuries, for example, if electronic components don’t work correctly. Always encourage your child to use the toy as intended and check regularly for wear and tear to ensure that a toy has not become unsafe due to damage.

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Halloween is only a few weeks away and many parents are creating or buying costumes and making plans for the big night. For most families, ghosts and goblins are not the scary thing about October 31; the fear is that injuries can happen to children who are out trick-or-treating. While traditionally parents have been worried about foreign objects in candy, the real threat comes from Miami car accidents, costumes, and product defects. Here’s how to celebrate safely:

1) Look for costumes that provide lots of visibility. Miami pedestrian accidents are one of the biggest risks to children heading out for Halloween. Children often get excited about the candy and may run out into traffic. While most motorists know to be careful on Halloween night, accidents can still occur. You can help by ensuring that your child’s costume is highly visible. Look for light fabrics, reflective stickers, and even lights on the costume to reduce the risk of your child being injured in a Miami traffic accident. Ensure that your child will head out with a group of friends and that some of those friends will be carrying flashlights for even better visibility.

2) Whether you are making a costume or buying it, make sure that it does not have any dangling sleeves, hoods, or hems. These can easily catch flame if a child leans over a jack o’ lantern or comes too close to a candle. Long hems can also pose a tripping hazard.

3) Consider flammability. Choose a sturdy costume that is not made of easily flammable materials. Thin, synthetic materials can easily go up in flames, and that is very dangerous since children may be near candles, jack o’ lanterns and other sources of fire during Halloween. Check the labels for information about the material of a costume.

4) Review Halloween safety rules with children. Children should know to approach only well-lit homes and should always stay with a group. Make sure your children know to only cross streets at crosswalks and only in groups.

5) Talk to teens about Halloween driving. If this is the first Halloween that your teen will be driving, be sure to talk about the dangers of this specific night. Encourage your teen to use extra caution on Halloween night.

6) Avoid costumes and toys with sharp edges or small items that can become detached. Small detachable parts can pose a choking hazard while any sharp or jagged items can cause eye injuries or cuts.

7) Take a second look at Halloween décor as well as costumes. Some of the decorations available for Halloween can be dangerous. Avoid any small items –such as fake gravestones – on the lawn, as they can pose a tripping hazard. Replace candles with battery-powered lights. If you want fog, consider a quality fog machine instead of dry ice, which can cause Miami burn injuries.

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Numerous campaigns in recent years have warned drivers not to text and drive, and many motorists now realize that distracted driving is a leading cause of Miami car accidents. However, distractions can lead to accidents and injuries in many other situations – not just on the road.

In fact, according to articles in the Globe and Mail and the Wall Street Journal, experts are cautioning that injuries to children under the age of five are on the rise, and many experts blame cell phones and mobile devices, which can act as a distraction for parents. Some experts believe that more parents are multi-tasking, using mobile devices, and this distracts them from supervising children. Although there is no research to prove that mobile devices are to blame, there is some compelling anecdotal evidence that this is the case. Experts have suggested that there are many things that parents can do to avoid injuries caused by distracted parenting:

1) Be especially cautious when texting around toddlers, who need more supervision. Toddlers can easily get into problems within a few minutes of texting, while older children may have a better grasp of safety rules and basic skills. When taking care of babies and toddlers, the safest option is to put mobile devices away entirely.

2) Never text while supervising a potentially risky task – such as crossing the street or supervising children at a pool. It is one thing to send a text when taking care of older children in your own home. When using a mobile device by a pool or while crossing the street, though, you increase your risk of a Miami pedestrian accident or a Miami pool accident. These tasks require your full attention.

3) Rely on more than one adult to supervise children. Multiple sets of eyes are safer even if your mobile devices are switched off. Multiple adults supervising children also make it easier to prevent injuries.

4) Shut off mobile devices and text at set times a few times a day. Productivity experts agree that multitasking is not effective anyway, and checking messages and texts at a few set times a day ensures that most of the time you can focus on one task at a time, which is a much safer approach to most activities.

Mobile devices can be time-savers and can even provide a sense of safety by allowing you to contact help in an emergency. However, they can also be a distraction that can be dangerous for you and your children. To prevent Miami traffic accidents, avoid using mobile devices while driving. To avoid Miami bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents, avoid using mobile devices while bicycling and walking. Mobile devices may have become ubiquitous, but it is important to remember that they can be a dangerous distraction. When parenting, put them away entirely to focus on safety.

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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there are about 100 000 serious injuries to children due to trampolines each year. As a result, the AAP is warning parents to exercise more caution when it comes to trampolines. Back in 1999, the AAP made safety recommendations about trampolines as well, leading makers of the popular item to make safety changes to make the products safer. The number of emergency room visits due to trampoline-related injuries, however, has had pediatricians and the AAP issuing new recommendations. According to Dr. Susannah Briskin and other experts, safety features such as padding and safety nets on trampolines still allows many injuries to occur.

Overall, the number of trampoline injuries appears to be in decline. In 2004, 111,851 emergency room visits were made due to trampoline-related injuries. By 2009, the number had dropped to 97,908. However, as Dr. Susannah Briskin and other experts have noted, sales of trampolines have also declined, which may be one reason for the declining injuries.

Trampoline manufacturers have stated that their products are safer with the safety measures introduced in the early 2000s and note that trampolines may be safer than climbing trees or many other childhood activities.

According to safety experts, there are a number of things that parents can do to prevent Miami personal injuries caused by trampolines
1) Buy a quality trampoline. A quality trampoline made from a reputable company and purchased new (rather than as a used and possibly damaged item) is most likely to be sturdy enough for repeat use.

2) Do not allow multiple children to use the trampoline at once. According to an item in the journal Pediatrics, the majority of injuries (about three-quarter of injuries) occur when multiple people are using the trampoline at once. In most cases, this occurs when children of different age groups and sizes are using a trampoline at the same time.

3) Keep in mind that injuries do not just occur to children. Adults have been turning to trampolines as an inexpensive way to exercise, but trampoline injuries are not just Miami injuries to children and minors. Adults can break their bones, sustain head injuries, or sustain sprains when using trampolines. Read and heed the weight restrictions on trampolines and ensure that adults use trampolines intended for adult use.

4) Be wary of trying tricks such as flips or somersaults. A major concern with trampoline injuries is the possibility of a Miami head injury. According to Dr. Briskin, about 10-15% of all trampoline injuries are to the neck and head, and these are the injuries that can lead to the most serious consequences, with the AAP reporting that one of our 200 trampoline-related injuries lead to permanent head injury, with many of these serious injuries occurring due to mistakes made during a flip or somersault.

4) Actively supervise children using a trampoline.

5) Use the safety devices and features with your trampoline. Plenty of padding around the springs and frame can help cushion any impact while netting around the trampoline can help break a fall.

6) Use trampolines only on level ground. Follow manufacturer directions carefully when it comes to setting up and using a trampoline.

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During this time of year, it is easy for children to be injured at school and on their way to school. To prevent injuries, be sure to follow these tips:

1) Find a safe route to and from school. A safe route should be one with plenty of pedestrian space or bicycle space, if your children will be bicycling to school. You may wish to discuss different routes with your children and even walk through a route in order to determine whether it is safe. Avoid routes that have high traffic, poor visibility, and busy intersections.

2) Review safety rules for children. Children are often excited when they’re walking to school, especially during the first few days or if they are walking with friends. Reviewing safety rules often is the best way to ensure that children absorb these rules. Try walking the route to school a few times with your child, pointing out pertinent safety rules – such as looking both ways before crossing the street – that can help prevent Miami pedestrian accidents.

3) Check over new school supplies for safety. Each year, Miami products liability cases occur due to toys and school supplies that are deemed unsafe. When buying school supplies, lunches, toys, sports equipment, and other supplies for your child, check recalls to ensure that the products you are buying have not been affected. Also, look over the products yourself for any obvious design flaws which could pose a risk.

4) Consider backpacks and Miami back injuries. Backpacks are one of the biggest risks for children, since many children overload their backpacks with heavy books, putting unnecessary pressure on the shoulders and spine. Make sure that your child has a sturdy backpack and is able to wear their backpacks on both shoulders. Encourage your child to reduce the amount of books that they carry and look for ways to prevent your child from having to carry heavy backpacks. Backpacks on wheels, for example, can be useful if there’s no way to reduce the heaviness of your child’s backpack.

5) If your child plays sports, review the rules for preventing Miami head injuries. Make sure that your child understands that if they are hit in the head they should seek medical attention and not return to play until their injury has been assessed by a medical professional. Find out what the rules for head injuries are at your child’s school. The newest research suggests that even minor concussions can become serious. It is important for even a minor concussion to heal fully before child is allowed to return to sports. If your child plays sports, make sure that they have adequate sports equipment and safety equipment and wear this equipment each time they play.

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