child injuries

Common Child Injuries Around the Holidays in Miami

Published on: December 20, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

The holiday season in Miami brings joy and excitement, but it also presents hidden dangers that can lead to serious injuries for children. You might not be surprised to learn that a top reason for harm to young people is toys. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) publishes warnings on toys, which are responsible for around a dozen fatalities to children annually. Another 154,700 children under 12 years old seek medical treatment at emergency rooms for toy-related injuries.

However, there are many other dangers that present a risk of injuries to kids. Some causes of accidents are actionable, so parents can seek compensation from the negligent party. A Miami child injuries attorney can explain the legal process, but parents should be aware of the potential dangers and take precautions to ensure a safe season.

Burns from Holiday Decorations and Cooking

Steps to Take if You Suspect Your Child Has a Concussion

Published on: July 28, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Children are physically active, play hard, and participate in sports, often not realizing the risk of serious injuries. Unfortunately, kids often do not appreciate the fact that they suffered a head injury. Parents must be vigilant, as there can be serious medical implications when a child’s developing brain suffers trauma. Experts at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that concussion can disrupt a child’s development and limit their ability to participate in recreational activities, important parts of becoming an adult.

As the parent of a young child or one that tends to ignore injuries, it is up to you to take action when you suspect a concussion. Your To-Do’s center on your child’s health and well-being, but there are some tasks that are necessary to protect your legal rights under Florida law. You can trust a Miami child injuries lawyer to handle the process, and keep in mind the following steps:

Look for Symptoms of Concussion

Two Children Die in Drowning Accident at Miami Airbnb

Published on: June 16, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

South Florida is a popular vacation destination for its weather, beaches, and water attractions, but a recent story is a reminder of how quickly a fun time can turn tragic. According to a Miami’s NBC News Channel 6 report, two children were found unresponsive in a backyard pool early on June 30, 2023. Hollywood Police and Hollywood Fire Rescue responded to the 911 call and provided first aid at the scene before transporting the victims to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. NBC later reported that the two children died at the hospital.

Officials will continue to investigate how these horrific drownings occurred, but an important point may affect how the grieving family moves forward with legal options. The subject property is an Airbnb, and the victims were among the guests. Fortunately, there are options to pursue negligent property owners, including those who make money through home-sharing services. It is essential to retain a Miami swimming accident lawyer for help with legal tasks, but some background is also useful.

Legal Obligations of Property Owners

Florida Ranks #1 for Drownings of Children Aged 1 to 4

Published on: June 9, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

It is extremely disturbing news to learn that Florida tops the list of US states in terms of accidental drowning fatalities, but there are also opportunities to learn from the statistics. A recent report found that the Sunshine State is #1 for unintentional drowning deaths among children 1 to 4 years old. Plus, drowning is the top cause of death nationwide among children from 1 to 5 years old. Many other incidents involve near-drownings, but the child could suffer life-changing, catastrophic injuries as a result.

Both drownings and near-drownings are tragic, no matter the age of the victim. The losses for families can be tremendous, so it is reassuring to know that you have legal remedies. It is smart to get help from a Miami swimming and drowning accident attorney when pursuing the at-fault party, as the legal process can be complicated. Some additional statistics and background are also useful.

Concerning Data on Drownings

Helmets Protect Against Risks of TBI in Children

Published on: March 24, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

It may not surprise you to learn that children under 14 years old comprise the highest rate of emergency room visits for traumatic brain injury (TBI), but you might be shocked to learn the health effects. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the implications for children are very different compared to adults with fully developed brains. TBI could disrupt the child’s thinking and behavior, in turn affecting social skills, learning, and proper brain development.

TBI occurs when a person is subjected to a violent blow or jolt to the head or the skull is penetrated by an object. Considering how kids are drawn to physical activities, sports, and recreation, it is easy to see why they are often victims of head injuries. Fortunately, some of these threats can be eliminated or reduced by wearing a helmet. Help from a Miami child injuries lawyer is crucial if your child was involved in an accident, but some information about helmets should be convincing.

Wear a Helmet for Risky Activities

Tips to Protect Children When Vacationing at a Miami, FL Resort

Published on: December 30, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Florida has long been a hot destination for family and vacation travel, and recently released data indicates that the trend will continue. University of South Florida researchers estimated that more than 35 million people visited the Sunshine State during the third quarter of 2022, an increase over the same period last year. These figures are also an increase over the third quarter of 2019, so there are signs that the travel industry has moved on from the consequences of the pandemic. Compared to July 1 to September 30 of 2019, tourism data for the same quarter of 2022 was 8% higher.

Many families head to South Florida for vacation, with the beaches, parks, and resorts being top attractions. There are plenty of activities for children, but it is important for parents to realize accidents are a common risk. You should discuss your legal options with a Miami resort tort lawyer if your child was hurt since these facilities are obligated to provide a safe space. To avoid having an accident ruin your vacation, consider the following tips.

Carefully Supervise Around Pools

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment if Your Child Suffers These Accidental Injuries

Published on: September 2, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

While it is disturbing to know that accidents are the number one cause of death for children and teens, Florida parents should also be concerned about the potential for serious injuries. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 21 million children receive care at hospital emergency departments to treat unintentional injuries annually. The top cause of accidental harm is falls, which injure more than 6.8 million young victims. Motor vehicle accidents take the #2 spot, leading to around 2.87 million ER visits for children aged 0 to 14. The CDC even tracks emergency care for dog bites, which cause harm to 316,400 kids.

Seeing your child in pain from accidental injuries is horrifying for a parent, and the financial and emotional implications hit hard. It is encouraging to know that you have options under Florida law, and a Miami child injuries lawyer can assist with the legal process. Because proper medical treatment is so critical for your child’s health and your legal remedies, always head straight to the ER for:

Excessive Bleeding: A cut or laceration will usually lead to bleeding, but it is cause for concern if the injury is deep enough to cause significant blood loss. The accident could have led to arterial or venal bleeding, in which the blood vessels running either to or from the heart are ruptured.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week April 2022: Protecting the Youngest Victims

Published on: April 1, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

While canines may be among America’s favorite household pets, the fact that there is an event dedicated to reducing the number of dog bites indicates that these four-legged friends can still be dangerous. This April 10-16, 2022 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a time for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to draw attention to the dangers, offer safety tips, and remind the public that even nice dogs can attack. Another hint to the AVMA initiative is found in the title itself: It is possible to prevent dog bites with proper care.

Among all the useful points made by AVMA in their literature about dog bite prevention is a disturbing statistic: Around 50% of victims are children. Parents can rest assured that Florida laws cover these cases, but incidents involving minors raise complicated legal issues. A Miami child injuries attorney will help navigate the challenges, and some information about these cases is useful.

Why Children Tend to be Dog Bite Victims