Boston Child Brain Injury Blog

An unidentified 3-year-old boy nearly drowned this past Saturday afternoon around 1:00pm at Curlew Pond on the grounds of the Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth. Local police and staff of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) performed CPR on the little boy and were able to revive him.

When emergency workers had initially responded to the call, the boy was out of the water and semi-conscious. According to The Boston Globe, the boy reportedly coughed up water once he was revived.

The unnamed boy was then transported to an area hospital and airlifted to a Boston hospital for further treatment. Curlew Pond has warnings posted to alert swimmers that there are no lifeguards on duty.

Drowning Incidents in the News
Last week, there were three tragic drowning incidents across Massachusetts that claimed the lives of three 4-year-olds.

The three young victims all drowned in swimming pools in Groton, Lynnfield and Attleboro either while visiting family friends or while in their own backyards. The deaths have all been determined to be accidents.

Drowning Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that younger children ages 1 to 4 are at the highest risk of drowning in a swimming pool or another body of water. Fatal drowning incidents are considered to be the 2nd leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 14.

Brain Injuries and Near Drowning Incidents
The CDC further reports that near drowning incidents can result in brain injuries such as brain hypoxia, caused by a lack of oxygen going to the brain while under the water. In a near drowning accident, the following symptoms may occur:

• Loss of memory
• Difficulty learning new tasks or skills
• Poor motor coordination or balance

If oxygen intake has been stopped for over 5 minutes due to being underwater, brain cells start to die and can result in the victim going into a coma or dying from the lack of oxygen.

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Child Injury Lawyer
If your child has been seriously hurt by another, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support. Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Boston child injury lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead.

Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury. Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

Sydney Vinci, 4, of Lynnfield drowned in a swimming pool last night around 8:00pm at a July 4th party at a home on North Hill Drive in Lynnfield. Vinci was with her family visiting friends at the home when she drowned in the pool.

The Boston Globe reports that emergency workers responded to the house after calls came in for an unresponsive girl. Vinci was rushed to an area hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Officials are currently investigating the drowning incident and have reported the death to be accidental. Foul play is not believed to be a factor.

Drowning Incident Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that every 1 in 5 people who die in drowning incidents are children aged 14 or younger. Young children who are ages 1 to 4 face the highest risk of drowning. The CDC also reports that fatal drowning incidents are the 2nd leading cause of death among those ages 1 to 14.

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Child Injury Lawyer
If your child has been seriously hurt, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support. Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Boston child injury lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead.

Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury. Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

The Lowell Sun reports that an 8-year-old Ayer girl is currently recovering at a Worcester area hospital today after she was hit by an 18-wheeler yesterday afternoon on Littleton Road in Ayer while riding her bicycle.

The young girl, who has not been publicly identified, rode her bicycle onto the busy roadway as she came out of Willard Street. She was then struck by the tractor-trailer operated by a George Hoffman of New York as he was driving east on Littleton Road. Hoffman is a driver for a New York trucking company. It was reported that the young girl was wearing a bike helmet and that she was conscious after she was hit.

Officials are continuing to investigate the collision. No charges have been brought against the truck driver. Those who live in the area of the accident report that the intersection where the crash took place is renowned for accidents and that children often ride bikes on Willard Street, which connects to the busy road.

The unidentified young girl is reportedly in stable condition at the Worcester hospital while she recuperates from her injuries.

Bicycle Crash Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 500,000 individuals in the U.S. are in need of medical attention for bicycle-related injuries every year. The most severe injuries resulting from a bicycle-motor vehicle collision are:

• Head injury (i.e., traumatic brain injuries or even mild concussions)
• Fractures
• Brain injury or damage
• Paralysis
• Lifelong disability

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Accident Injury Lawyer
If your child has been seriously hurt in an accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support.

Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of a skilled Boston accident injury lawyer can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead. Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury.

Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

Lead poisoning poses a significant danger to children of any age and can result in permanent brain injury if not caught in time. This type of poisoning can stem from a variety of sources, such as paints on products that have been recalled, jewelry for children, toys, and glassware. Another origin of lead poisoning can be from lead paint in buildings or on outdoor fencing.

Lead can be found in dust, plastics, paint chips – all of which a young child or infant could ingest without even knowing. Plastic water bottles or other types of plastic containers may contain lead that will then seep into the liquid that is stored in them.

The effects of lead poisoning can be devastating to the neurological system and for a child’s general development and can include the following:

• Abnormal speech
• Abnormal bone and muscle development
• Aural damage, loss of hearing
• Damage to the kidneys and brain
• Developmental delays and learning disabilities

Symptoms of lead poisoning in children may exhibit in these ways:

• Unexplained weight and appetite loss
• Stomach pains
• Abnormally pale skin

Current trade agreements permit toys and other products containing lead to be imported into the U.S. and sold to consumers as long as the lead is within a certain range. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) publicly announces recalls of products when the agency determines that the product poses a danger or has resulted in injury to consumers, such as products that exceed the legal lead limit.

The most recent recall concerning a product with excessive lead occurred earlier this month, when the CPSC recalled an American Girl Crafts jewelry kit because the coating on the beads in the kit contained significantly high amounts of lead. In May of this year, a Toy Story 3 bowling game was also recalled by the CPSC because the red paint on the bowling pins exceeded the federal limit for lead in the paint.

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Child Injury Lawyer
If your child has been seriously hurt by a defective product, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support.

Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Boston child injury lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead. Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury.

Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

What Happened
According to The Boston Globe, an unidentified 38-year-old Pennsylvania woman and her 8-year-old son were rescued from nearly drowning in a swimming pool at the Winstead Village Inn in Harwich this past Sunday evening. The incident occurred just before 9:00pm when the woman’s husband found her floating in the pool and their son at the bottom of the pool. The woman reportedly did not know how to swim and may have tried to save her son who was in distress.

Two neighbors who live next door to the inn, Allen Furman, 31, and Dumitru Babes, 30, rushed to help pull both the woman and the boy out of the water and performed CPR on them as they waited for emergency personnel to arrive. Both the mother and her son were resuscitated and were listed in good condition at an area hospital.

Child Injuries from Near Drowning Accidents
Injuries that can result from near drowning incidents can oftentimes be severe in nature and may include brain damage, paralysis, memory complications, among other serious disabilities.

CDC Drowning Accident Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that approximately 10 people die from unintentional drowning each day in the U.S. Drowning is listed as the 6th most common cause of unintentional death for every age group, while drowning is the 2nd leading cause of fatalities among those aged 1-14.

Dangers of Swimming Pool Accidents
One of the most important rules to follow to prevent water-related incidents is to always have an adult supervise children who are playing in and around the pool. Supervision is key to preventing any near-drowning incident and other swimming pool dangers that may be present.

To reduce the risks around the water this summer, take a CPR class to learn or fine-tune this life-saving skill so that you’re prepared to take action. If you have a pool in your backyard, install a fence surrounding the pool that is at least 4 feet tall to prevent tragedies from occurring.

If Your Child Has Been Injured in a Drowning Accident
Parents should immediately call 911 and follow instructions from the dispatcher if their child has been found to be in distress in the water. If the incident could have been avoided, parents should also consider pursuing legal help in order to hold those responsible (a negligent babysitter, for example) for their child’s injuries.

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Child Injury Lawyer
If your child has been seriously hurt by another, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support. Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Boston child injury lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead.

Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury. Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

A 3-year-old child was seriously injured in an Interstate 91 accident in Springfield on Saturday night when the car the child was traveling in was struck near the Interstate 291 interchange.

A 27-year-old woman who was driving the struck car, a 1991 Buick Century, was also injured in the crash.

According to police, the accident happened after the woman’s car was pulled over on the side of the road when it was hit by Elizabeth Ramos, 27, of Springfield, who was operating a 2011 Honda.

Of the five people in the Buick, including three children, four were injured, three of them children. The 3-year-old, who was trapped in the Buick, suffered serious injuries.

The other two children were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The fourth passenger in the Buick was not injured. Ramos was also uninjured, police said.

The accident is under investigation by different departments of the Massachusetts State Police.

Vehicle Accidents and Child Injuries

It was not immediately clear from the news reports regarding this accident if any of the children were properly restrained before the crash, but it is a well known fact that child seats and seat belts save children’s lives in traffic accidents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicles are the leading cause of death and fatal injury in children under 14.

Making sure that a child is securely restrained before riding in a motor vehicle is crucial and often makes the difference between life and death following an auto accident.

When to Call a Personal Injury Attorney

If you, or your child, have been injured in a similar two-vehicle accident in Massachusetts which was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party.

When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys in Massachusetts, ask critical questions, like:

• How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
• What is the largest settlement or verdict you have won on behalf of your clients?
• Do you have experience suing powerful corporations on behalf of injured victims?

The Boston personal injury lawyer, Thomas Kiley, has been fighting for victims in car accident cases for over 30 years, and has secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients.

Tom Kiley and his team at the Kiley Law Group take time when speaking with you about your case. We will work with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case.

Call 1-800-410-2769 for a Free Consultation today.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was published. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the leading cause of fatalities for children aged 1-14 in the U.S. is motor vehicle crashes. Of these tragic child fatalities, nearly 60% were a direct result of the child not being restrained in a car seat or seat belt.

More than 80% of individuals who have car seats and other child safety restraints for their children are reported to misuse them. If car seats and restraints were used and installed properly, then this would help in significantly decreasing fatality rates among children who are involved in car accidents.

Keeping Kids Safe in the Car: Safety Reminders

1. Children younger than 12 should ride in the back seat of the vehicle always
2. Children younger than age 8 and shorter than 4’ 9” should be seated in a car seat or booster seat until the age and height requirements are met
3. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat, as airbags that deploy in the event of an accident can be deadly
4. Infants age 1 and younger should always use a rear-facing car seat
5. Go to the website of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for up-to-date recalls of car seats and booster seats
6. Ensure that your child’s car seat or booster seat is properly installed
7. Avoid used car seats, regardless of the bargain. If you don’t know the history of the car seat, it’s best to buy new for your child’s safety

Car Seat Selections
It can be overwhelming walking down aisles and aisles in order to choose a car seat for your little one.

There are several options for parents and other caregivers to choose from, such as infant car seats, convertible car seats, booster seats, or combination car seats.

While the choices you have are many, the one goal to keep in mind is your child’s safety while riding in the car.

Make sure you verify a car seat’s limits and requirements when it comes to your child’s height and weight and take those into account when purchasing the car seat.

Another helpful tip is to look for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s rating system that the agency has developed to grade car seats for any child’s age. The grades reflect instruction manuals, installation processes, and the restraint system as a whole.

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Child Injury Lawyer
If your child has been seriously hurt in a car accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support. Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Boston accident lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead. Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury.

Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.

According to an article out in The Boston Globe this week, the family of Mark DiBona, 4, has announced that it has filed a wrongful death claim for the death of their son. DiBona fell to his death in an escalator accident on March 11 at the Auburn Mall.

There was a large gap that should have had a protective guard covering it at the very top of the escalator that DiBona had fallen through while riding the escalator. The lawsuit was filed in Worcester Superior Court yesterday and aims to hold a number of companies liable for the little boy’s tragic death.

Massachusetts Escalator Inspections
It has been previously reported by the Globe that just 44 out of the nearly 200 escalators
in Massachusetts malls were inspected over the course of 2 years, from 2008 to 2010. Inspectors reportedly failed to examine certain escalators at all for those 2 years and those that were reviewed by inspectors were found to be in need of repairs in over 50% of reviews. Additionally, 22 escalators within malls across the state had to be completely shut down for serious public safety concerns.

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Injury Attorney
If your child has been seriously hurt by another, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support. Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of a skilled Boston injury attorney can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead. Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury.

Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

A 2-year-old boy and his father were injured last week when their SUV crashed in Alton, NH. The boy, who may not have been properly restrained before the crash suffered a head injury when the SUV rolled several times, throwing him and his father from the vehicle.

Both were taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment.

Child Endangerment

WMUR reports that the driver, Charles Bacon, 25, of West Ossippee, is expected to be charged with failing to properly restrain his son, and driving with a suspended license. Bacon may have also been speeding prior the crash, police said.

According to the authorities, skid marks could be seen on Route 11 following the crash, as well as some scattered personal belongings that were thrown from the vehicle. Police calculated that the SUV must have rolled over at least four times.

There were child seats in the vehicle, which police say they were not broken or damaged in any way.

The child found conscious after the crash and was listed in a satisfactory condition the following day, though this accident is a reminder about the dangers of not properly restraining a child, not to mention the legal requirements to do so.

When to Contact a Child Injury Lawyer

If your child has been injured in a single-vehicle rollover accident due to someone’s negligence, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of your child against the negligent parties.

To find out about your legal options and rights, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

The Boston child injury lawyers at the Kiley Law Group have been representing child victims injured in motor vehicle accidents for over 30 years.

Call 1-800-410-2769 for a Free Consultation.

Erb’s palsy can occur during birth. It is the result of a nerve network being extended, which in turn affects the spine, shoulder, arm and hand. If an infant experiences his or her shoulder becoming stuck during birth, the nerves may become severely stretched, torn, or bruised. The most extreme instances involve nerves that are torn away and separated from the spine itself.

This specific type of birth injury may result in temporary paralysis or a numbing feeling that may go away shortly thereafter or may require physical therapy during the infant’s first few months of life. Injuries stemming from Erb’s palsy may require surgery, while other types of injuries may not completely heal, causing lasting complications that can range from aesthetic disfigurement to permanent paralysis or loss of function.

The effects of Erb’s palsy may include the following types of injuries or conditions:

• Underdevelopment of a limb, potentially causing one limb to be smaller than the other
• Weakness and decreased range of motion
• Decreased ability to heal from injuries suffered on the arm or hand that occur during childhood and even later in life
• Skin injuries may require more time to recover and may be significantly more vulnerable to infection as a result of poor or limited circulation

Erb’s palsy may also be caused when a doctor or medical professional applies too much force during the delivery, potentially resulting in the infant’s head being pressed away from the shoulder. It is estimated that this type of injury occurs in up to 2 infants for every 1,000 births, primarily due to an emergency situation or the negligence, impatience and disregard for the infant’s welfare by a medical professional during the birthing process.

The trauma associated with Erb’s palsy is significant, regardless of how the the birth injury initially occurred. The effects and shock associated with this injury can oftentimes be overwhelming. An infant who is affected by Erb’s palsy may require various types of therapy and additional medical procedures, which take an extensive emotional and financial toll on the family involved.

When You Need to Talk to a Boston Brain Injury Lawyer
If your child has been seriously or permanently hurt at the hands of another, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support.

Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Boston brain injury lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead. Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury.

Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.