Posted by rozeklawoffice on April 9, 2010 under Child Injuries, Mild Brain Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury | 
Booster Seats may reduce injury to children in car accidents by up to 45%. Booster seats place children in a position so the seat belt, including the shoulder strap and lap belt, can work properly. Safety experts recommend using a booster seat until a child is approximately 4’9” in height.
If a child is sitting in a seat without a booster seat, the shoulder strap is apt to fit incorrectly allowing the child to slip forward and hit something in the event of a car accident. Many times this slippage causes serious brain injuries to the child. The lap belt is also more likely to rise up over the child’s pelvis causing internal damage.
When using a booster seat, its also important to utilize the following 2 steps to maximize effectiveness.
1. Ensure the lap belt part of the seat belt goes under the arm rest.
2. If the booster seat has a back, ensure the shoulder strap of the seat belt is correctly looped through the top of the seat back.
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Rozek Law Offices, SC has experiencing representing children that have been injured in car accidents. If your child has been injured in an accident, please be sure to contact an experienced Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney.
Posted by rozeklawoffice on April 5, 2010 under Child Injuries |
As temperatures in Wisconsin are heating up, many families will be heading to swimming facilities and water parks around the state.
When it comes to our kids, we parents know the importance of teaching them to swim as an early age to ensure if they ever fall into a swimming pool or other body of water, they will make it out safely. We do not, however, expect to have to be the expert in swimming pool safety standards, as this, we assume, should be the job of the pool or water park owner. We expect those who own and operate water facilities will regularly inspect the water facility for unsafe conditions that could cause injury or even fatalities. Unfortunately, water facilities often get neglected, creating an unsafe environment and a potentially liable owner.
Upon arrival at the water facility, look for the pool drain. As a general rule, in order to meet the Wisconsin Safety Standards, the drain and bottom of the deepest part of the pool should be clearly visible. A murky pool can be an indicator of dangerous conditions. If a child is struggling and in need of assistance, it may be hard to see the child if at the bottom of a cloudy pool. Water clarity is an absolute necessity in drowning situations when every second counts. If your child is harmed due to water visibility issues, a Wisconsin premises liability attorney should be consulted to help you understand your rights.
Other safety features that parents should identify before allowing their children to enter the water include emergency phone, floating devices, and a visible stripe at the bottom of the pool that indicates when shallow waters become deep.
Also, check for signage that indicates that maximum occupancy level and no diving areas. Make a note of the limits and explain them to your children.
Also, watch the lifeguard. It is their job to supervise the pool users. If you notice that the lifeguard is improperly supervising your child by talking on a cell phone or having long chats with other staff while not paying attention to the swimmers, you should immediately report the lifeguard to management. If a child is harmed due to a lifeguards inattentiveness, a Wisconsin premises liability attorney should be consulted to help you understand your rights.
Lastly, if your child is planning to swim at night, take inventory of the lighting available. Proper lighting is critical in cases of search and rescue. Again, every second matters in a drowning situation.
Wisconsin water facility owner’s must keep their swimming area water clarity up to standard and keep safety features in place in order to allow parents to properly supervise their children. It is the owners job to know the proper chlorine levels and technical safety aspects of the facility. Proper maintenance is required.
We hope these water safety tips will help you and your family safely enjoy the upcoming spring and summer Wisconsin weather and recreational activities.
Posted by rozeklawoffice on March 19, 2010 under Child Injuries, Mild Brain Injury, Questions and Answers |
Question: My son was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin participating in soccer practice when he was accidentally tripped by another player. He fell to the ground and banged his head hard. After a few seconds, he shook it off and wanted to continue playing.
I made him sit out for 5 minutes but then thought he would be ok and let him go back in. Later that afternoon, at home, he began feeling nauseous and vomited. Should I bring him to the ER?
Answer: Yes. He may have a concussion and its it’s important to take proper steps if you suspect a concussion; it can be serious. The signs of concussion are not always well recognized. Because of that, many people put themselves at risk for serious injury by returning to a game before they should, thinking nothing is wrong.
Although you may think of a concussion as someone passing out, a person can have a concussion and never lose consciousness. Symptoms of a concussion may include:
- feeling dazed or lightheaded
- memory loss
- nausea or vomiting
- headaches
- blurred vision
- slurred speech
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- difficulty with coordination
- feeling irritable for no apparent reason
- feeling tired for no apparent reason
Since you stated that your son is experiencing at least 1-2 of the symptoms above, it is best to take him to see a doctor. There are 2 types of concussions and the doctor will be the best person to explain these to you.
Make sure your son takes it easy and does not participate in any sporting activities or other activities that could exert force to the head. If the brain hasn’t healed properly from a concussion and he gets another brain injury (even if it’s with less force), it can be serious. Repeated injury to the brain can lead to swelling, and sometimes develop into long-term disabilities, or even be fatal, as a result.
If you or a loved one has experienced a concussion due to an accident or the negligence of another, please contact an experienced Milwaukee, Wisconsin Concussion Attorney.
Posted by rozeklawoffice on March 15, 2010 under Child Injuries, Product Liability |
Announcement: The government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings.
The Concern: Infants can suffocate, and at least a few have.
In a latest warning, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has cautioned that parents in every state, including Wisconsin, should be very careful while carrying babies in the slings. The CPC warns that baby slings pose the risk of suffocation and could prove deadly.
Recent Consumer Reports state the SlingRider by Infantin, a bag style sling ,wraps around the parent’s neck and cradles the child in a curved or C-like position, cradling the baby below mom’s chest or near her belly.
It’s the C-like position that causes safety advocates concern. They beleive the curved position can cause the baby to flop its head forward, chin-to-chest, restricting the baby’s ability to breathe. Another concern stated is that the baby can turn its face toward mom’s chest or belly and smother in the parent’s clothing.
The CPSC is currently investigating 14 deaths that took place over the last 20 years associated with these slings. CPSC states that babies died in the slings due to suffocation and that the majority of the babies who died were either born premature, were underweight, or had breathing problems.
CPSC has recommended that when the infant is placed in the sling, parents should ensure that his face is not covered and is visible all the time to the sling wearer.
If your child or someone you know has suffered a breathing injury or even death due to this product, it is important that you immediately called an experienced Wisconsin Product Liability Attorney.
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