Six Causes of Child Injury in Florida and How to Protect Your Children
As parents, we are ready to do anything to keep our children safe. Unfortunately, even if you take every precaution, your child may sustain a severe injury. Every year, millions of children end up in the ER for injury care.
If you believe your child sustained an injury because of the neglect or the unlawful actions of another party, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. However, ideally, you will want to minimize the chance of injury in the first place.
What can you do to prevent common childhood injuries? Keep reading for helpful tips from our Miami personal injury attorneys.
1. Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
A dog attack can lead to serious, potentially fatal injuries, and a small child is more likely to approach an animal with insufficient caution. Worse, because of children’s small stature, an animal attack naturally leads to a higher risk of face, neck, and upper body injuries.
To protect your child from dog bites and attacks, always be mindful of dogs and other animals. Even if you know the dog well or if it is a part of your family, it could react dangerously if the child sneaks up from behind and startles it.
If you encounter an unfamiliar dog outside, get the owner’s approval before letting your child approach and pet it.
2. Dangerous or Defective Children’s Products
Dangerous and defective products and toys can lead to a whole range of injury cases. Examples include car seats that fail to protect during a collision, toys with sharp corners or small parts that constitute a choking hazard, toxic paint on children’s furniture, and more. Sometimes, the manufacturer may fail to provide warnings relevant to product usage.
To minimize the risk of injury, always choose reliable products from trusted manufacturers and closely follow all instruction manuals.
3. Swimming Pool Incidents
Sadly, drowning is the leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and four. Warm Florida summers are a wonderful time to play in the pool, but it’s crucial to stay vigilant whenever your child is in or near the water. A small child can drown in as little as an inch of standing water.
To avoid slip and fall accidents, pay extra attention as your child gets in and out of a pool. Use pool safety equipment while your child is in the water. Ensure you fit any pool covers safely and lock all pool gates so that your child can’t open them unsupervised.
4. Sports and Other Physical Injuries
Most children experience minor falls, sprains, and bruises while playing sports. However, sometimes sports-related accidents lead to ligament tears, broken bones, or concussions. Please seek medical attention even if your child’s injury seems minor.
To keep your children safe during sports and other physical activities, make sure they are well-rested and hydrated before a session. Check all safety sports gear and ensure that your child uses it. It is also best to avoid strenuous activities in sweltering weather.
5. Car, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Accident
Auto accidents are a leading cause of injury-related fatalities for children under 15. To reduce the risk of injury and death from vehicle-related accidents, always make sure your child occupies an age-appropriate safety seat with an adequate restraint system. Never allow children to ride in the front seat.
For a safe experience as a pedestrian or bicyclist, teach your child to observe traffic rules. Your child should wear appropriate protective gear and bright-colored or reflective clothes, watch for oncoming vehicles, and avoid distractions. Before your child goes riding, double-check to make sure their bicycle is in good working condition.
6. Choking Hazards and Poisonous Materials If Ingested
Small children are highly susceptible to choking and poisoning hazards. Small toy parts, tiny batteries, marbles, and other attractive objects can easily end up in a toddler’s mouth. Likewise, young children often don’t understand what household chemicals and prescription meds are and may mistake them for safe drinks or candy if left unattended.
To promote safety, “toddler-proof” your house for age-inappropriate objects. Keep any dangerous substances, household chemicals, and medicines out of children’s reach. If necessary, use child-safe cabinet latches and doorknobs.
Keep emergency numbers handy. If your child chokes or ingests a poisonous substance, get help right away rather than taking a wait-and-see approach.
Has Your Child Suffered a Severe Injury? Contact Josh Jones Law, P.A.
If your child suffers an injury due to another party’s negligence, you need reliable, dedicated, and empathetic legal help from an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer.
At Josh Jones Law, we are proud to serve the community here in the Miami metropolitan area, including Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Hollywood, Miramar, North Miami, Miami Gardens, Miami, and Homestead areas. We offer all our clients personalized legal service as we help them understand and fight for their rights. To learn more, download your free personal injury toolkit, or call 305-239-4878 to request a free case evaluation.
Copyright © 2021. Josh Jones Law, P.A. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Josh Jones Law, P.A.
15715 South Dixie Highway Suite 214
Miami, FL 33157
305-239-4878
https://www.joshjoneslaw.com
