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.

Here at San Francisco Injury Law Answers we have written previously about the impact of the new health care laws – see personal injury victims and health care reform or health care reforms attacked by insurance companies.

But let’s say you suffer from a preexisting condition due to an illness or personal injury accident.  Or maybe you are a student about to graduate from college.  In any event, you may wonder what the new health care reforms and laws mean to you in terms of health insurance that you will be able to purchase.

Well, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle this morning, there is a new website where you can compare plans and prices, see which aspects of the reforms will impact you, and allow you to evaluate for yourself what the best course of action is according to your own situation.

The website is called HealthCare.gov and users are not required to divulge personal information to use it.  I hope you find it helpful.  Good luck.

According to a new study by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, many  coronary and artery disease patients are not receiving the treatment outlined by the American Heart Association.

In a report published this month, Dr. Edward L. Hannan found that only about half of the patients that fit the guideline criteria for open heart surgery in New York hospitals are recommended for the surgery.

Many of those patients are instead receiving a less-evasive angioplasty to unblock the arteries. Studies show, however, the surgery shows better results for most patients that qualify.

I am often asked by individuals when a manufacturer of a product can be held responsible for any harm caused by that product.  Well, in this video I try to briefly answer that question and provide a general overview of product liability law.

I hope this helps.  Good luck.

You will need to provide your attorney with documentation regarding your injury – for instance, doctor and hospital bills and records, a list of all the doctors or specialists that you have seen and their contact information. You will also need to have any reports or documentation regarding the accident itself ready to provide your attorney especially photographs of the scene.

If you were injury due to a defective, you will need to have the product itself, pictures, manuals or other product information, and information regarding where you bought the product. You will also need any documentation that you have about where you work and how much time you have missed from work since the accident took place.

And finally, if you have had to pay for any expenses out of pocket – like prescriptions, medical equipment, and transportation to therapy sessions – provide this information to your attorney as well.

If you or a member of your family has been injured in an automobile accident in the San Francisco area and you need help, give me a call at (415) 293-8231.

Or you can e-mail me at info@burlisonlaw.com.