by brettb on September 2, 2010
We all recall playing on playgrounds as children. Some of our best memories are probably from swinging on a simple tire and rope swing like the one to the right. But playgrounds can also be dangerous. Broken bones, bruises, and trips to the ER because of falls are all fairly common on playgrounds across America.
The simple pleasure of a tire-and-rope swing
Unfortunately, playgrounds, depending on the type and play surface, can also be the cause of traumatic brain injury among children.
Traumatic Brain Injury – both MTBI and TBI – is a devastating disease that impacts literally millions of people and far too many children each year.
Here at San Francisco Personal Injury Law Answers we have recommended certain tips that can help everyone avoid a traumatic or mild traumatic brain injury and these includes seeking out shock-absorbing play surfaces for children (see video – tips for avoiding brain or head injuries).
Today in the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mommy Files, the Chronicle asks the question of whether readers think that playgrounds are too dangerous.
Well, here is what we know from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): the leading cause of all traumatic brain injury (TBI) is falls – 35%. And, 18% of all TBI-related emergency department visits involved children aged 0 to 4 years. The number of TBI or MTBI taking place on playgrounds across the country is unclear at this point.
But let us know what you think – are playgrounds too dangerous? Does more need to be done to ensure that all of our parks and playgrounds have shock-absorbing surfaces? Or are we all just being worry-worts? And is the risk of injury when you let your kid climb onto that tire and swing from a rope just part of life?
Let’s us know. We’d like to here from you.
by brettb on September 2, 2010
Just when you thought it was safe to buy a car again.
Hyundai Sonata being investigated by NHTSA for product defect issues
Unless you have been under a rock for the last year or so, you will recall that Toyota has had there share of personal injury and product liability issues this year. Well it seems that they are not alone.
As reported by the AP, NHTSA has opened up an investigation into potential problems with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.
The problem seems to be that the steering mechanism. There have been reports by consumers that a joint in the steering column can come lose due to a product defect causing a complete loss of steering and potentially devastating accidents and injuries.
According to reports, the investigation affects approximately 16,300 Sonatas.
by brettb on August 31, 2010
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, an electric motorcycle entrepreneur from the Bay Area was killed in a personal injury accident on Monday.
The 29 year-old injury victim was riding his motorcycle near Coddingtown Mall at approximately 10:40 a.m. Monday morning when he was involved in a personal injury accident with a Prius.
San Francisco Bay Area authorities have reported that the motorcycle collided with the side of the Prius and the motorcycle rider was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Prius did not suffer any injuries, according to reports.
The accident is still under investigation by authorities and fault has not yet been determined.
The injury victim was founder of Santa Rosa based Electric Race Bikes. The San Francisco Chronicle story can be read here.
by brettb on August 30, 2010
Sometimes, when kids play sports they get hurt. Especially in contact sports – kids can sprain ankles, brake bones, and even suffer a concussion or MTBI. Unfortunately, it happens. But according to new research, it is happening more often.
Sports related concussions have doubled from 1997 to 2007 for children
As reported by the New York Times, the number of children athletes who have been treated in emergency rooms with sports-related concussions – a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) – increased two-fold from 1997 to 2007.
And for young athletes aged 14 – 19, MTBI or concussions have tripled during that same time period.
The study was recently published in the journal Pediatrics. It looks specifically at emergency room visits and treatment of young athletes for concussions.
According to the data collected by the study, there were over 500,000 children (8 – 19) treated in emergency rooms for concussion (MTBI) from 2001 through 2005.
These statistics are alarming. But consider two additional variables: first, many experts believe that concussions and MTBI in general are under-reported and not all MTBI involve a trip to the ER; second, during the same time period involve in the study, participation in team sports decreased slightly for children.
Injury Victims Need More Health Care Not Less
August 23, 2010We here at San Francisco Personal Injury Law Answers attempt, as best we can, to avoid political controversy and politics in general. However, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Meg Whitman’s campaign has indicated that if she is elected Governor she would file suit against the federal government and work to dismantle health care reform. [...]