March 2, 2010

Palm Springs, Florida – Child Injured While Trying to Recreate YouTube.com Experiment

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Ryan Gooding, of Palm Springs, Florida and friend saw a science experiment on YouTube.com that looked interesting to them, and decided to try to do the experiment on their own. The experiment was creating a rocket out of a plastic soda bottle using vinegar and baking soda.

But when Ryan and his friend were ready to launch the rocket, the bottle accidentally exploded in Ryan’s face, causing chemical burns, lacerations, a broken nose and temporary blindness in one eye. Ryan was hospitalized. Unfortunately, the family’s health insurance policy lapsed two days before the accident took place, and now his mother is trying to figure out how to pay the hospital bills for her son’s care.

Experiments and entertainment on TV and the Internet often look very tempting to young kids, who do not have a fully-developed sense of caution when it comes to dangerous activities. Parents need to help their children understand that mimicking stunts and experiments performed by professionals is dangerous and could get them hurt. The news story did not point out the link to the YouTube.com video Ryan was watching, but one can only hope that it had an appropriate warning for children not to try the experiment at home without supervision.

Read more about Ryan and his family’s plight at Child injured recreating YouTube experiment.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Attractive Nuisances , Burn and Fire Injuries , Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home , Medical Care & Health Issues

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February 28, 2010

Tampa Florida – Child (Edward Weise III) Injured by Homemade Firecracker Grenade

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Last Fourth of July, Edward Weise Jr. helped his eight year old son, Edward Weise III, hollow out a pineapple grenade from World War II and fill it with firecracker powder. For some reason, they were unable to get the grenade to ignite and a family member put it on a shelf in the living room and forgot about it.

But Edward, now nine years old, did not forget about the grenade, and attempted to light it on his own recently. The child’s mother, Anne-Marie Weise, reported that she saw her son playing with a lighter in the kitchen just moments before the explosion. She told him to put it away. Apparently he did not listen to her, and continued to try to light the grenade. The resulting explosion critically injured the boy, who was flown to Tampa General for surgery.

A concerned neighbor called the Department of Children and Families’ abuse hotline to report the incident. The DCF is now looking into the matter. Deputies who searched the family’s home found marijuana in the bedroom Ms. Weise shares with her boyfriend, Larry Busby. According to the Polk County Florida Sheriff’s office there are charges pending but no one has been arrested. You can find out more details of this February fireworks accident at Injured Boy's Father Helped Him Fill Grenade With Firecracker Powder.

Whenever there is a Department of Children and Families investigation or criminal investigation, the family or parents under investigation have the right to defend themselves and hire an attorney. While the news reported the involvement of DCF, the results or disposition of the investigation are pending.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Burn and Fire Injuries , Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries , Gun & Firearm Safety and Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home , Medical Care & Health Issues

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January 29, 2010

Wesley Chapel, Florida – Infant Scalded by Hot Bath Water as Mother Attempts to Wash Spider Down Drain

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A twenty seven year old mother accidentally scalded her five month old son with hot bath water. Apparently, the woman was drawing a bath for the child when she saw a spider in the bathtub; when she attempted to wash the spider down the drain, it jumped out of the tub and onto the child’s arm. She then tried to rinse the spider off of the child by putting the child directly under the running water, not realizing that the water was too hot. The child was brought to the local fire station, where he was found to have second degree burns on his body.

Investigators have determined that the incident was an accident. Other family members at the home told investigators that they were not aware that the hot water heater was set so high. A Pasco County, Florida sheriff’s deputy watched the child’s grandfather turn the heat down. The child has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home with his family.

This unfortunate accident drives home the point that parents need to be vigilant to protect their children at all times. Read more about this unfortunate accident at Mother Trying To Kill Spider Scalds Baby.

If a child has been injured by someone else’s negligence, a Florida Child Injury Lawyer can advise you as to your child's legal rights and the laws pertaining to damages / compensation for these injuries.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Burn and Fire Injuries , Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home , Medical Care & Health Issues

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January 14, 2010

Lakeside Elementary (Orange Park) Portable Classroom - Major Fire - No Injuries to Children

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The Florida TImes Union website reported that a fire gutted a portable classroom located at Lakeside Elementary School in Orange Park Florida. Fortunately, no Clay County school district students or employees were injured by the fire that took place on a Saturday night. Clay County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. The cause of the fire was reported to be electrical in nature. Hopefully, the school and fire rescue officials will use this information to make sure that no other portables or classrooms are at risks for similar fires. You can read more about this story at Lakeside Elementary School Portable Classroom Fire Reported.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries

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December 20, 2009

Palm Bay, Florida – Mom and Six Children Attacked at Home

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Three masked men with guns broke into a Palm Bay home where five children, ranging in age from ten months to fifteen years old, were waiting for their mother to return home from the hospital with another of her children who needed stitches for an unrelated injury. The mother returned from the hospital and walked in on the gunmen shortly after they had broken in to the home and forced the children to lie down on the living room floor. After the mother arrived home, they threatened the ten month old baby with a gun, choked the eleven year old, threatened the family dog, demanded money, stole all the Christmas presents, and finally poured boiling oil on the mother and her fifteen year old daughter. The young girl is still in the hospital with third degree burns from the oil.

Police believe that the armed intruders may be acquaintances of one of the children’s uncles. The investigation is still under way. This horrific intrusion and torture is very hard to read about. You can read more about this crime and the investigation at Mom, Children Tortured In Palm Bay Home.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Burn and Fire Injuries , Crimes Against Children , Economic Crimes , Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home , Violent Crimes

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December 20, 2009

Pensacola, Florida – Six Week Old Girl Burned in Fire After Being Left Unattended at Home by Her Mother (Caroline Bramlet)

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Caroline Bramlet, aged twenty one, has been charged with aggravated child abuse, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia after leaving her six week old baby unattended to go chat with neighbors. According to Escambia County, Florida deputies, the child was burned by a fire that broke out some time after the mother left her alone in the apartment. Fire department officials have reported that Ms. Bramlet was using candles in the child’s bedroom. They believe that one of the candles fell off of the windowsill and onto the bed, starting a fire that burned the child’s scalp. The burns are considered minor.

When firefighters responded to the scene, they found drug paraphernalia in the home. The deputies, who arrested Ms. Bramlet, found that she was in possession of marijuana. The infant was treated for her burns and released into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Ms. Bramlet has been released from Escambia County Jail on $3500 bond.

This story was reported by the Pensacola News Journal. As with any other criminal case, Ms. Bramlet will be allowed to defend herself of these charges. She will be entitled to representation from a public defender or a private criminal defense lawyer. She may claim that she left the apartment for a good reason and that she was not the owner of the drug paraphernalia or did not know about the drug paraphernalia.

A mother who would leave her infant child alone in a room with burning candles certainly has some problems with judgment. Neither children nor burning candles should ever be left unattended. Find out more about this story at Pensacola mother faces child abuse, drug charges.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Burn and Fire Injuries , Child Safety , Crimes Against Children , Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home

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December 18, 2009

Removing Dangerous Space Heaters from Homes - Northeast Florida Community Action Agency

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State Representative Audrey Gibson is urging residents in Jacksonville, Florida and elsewhere to get rid of unsafe space heaters in their homes. Over the years, many lives have been lost in fires caused by unsafe space heaters. A federally funded program through the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency can help many North Florida residents properly weatherize their homes and get rid of unsafe space heaters. For more information - read the Florida Times Union Website article - Getting Rid of Dangerous Space Heaters.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home

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December 4, 2009

Port Richey, Florida – House Fire Claims the Life of a Six-year-old Boy

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The Pasco County, Florida Sheriff’s office received a call reporting a house fire on Bridleton Road in Port Richey, Florida. Officials at the scene reported that all of the occupants of the home managed to escape except the 6-year-old boy. The child’s father suffered second-degree burns and was airlifted to an area hospital. The names of the family members and the victim have not been released. Sgt. Mel Eakley of the Pasco, County Florida Sheriff’s Office, has stated that he will work closely with the fire marshal to determine what caused the fire, and to determine if any criminal charges will be brought.

An investigation will seek to determine if arson was a factor in the fire, and if the home was in compliance with the City of Port Richey Municipal Code or other applicable fire protection laws. The interpretation of Florida city and county ordinances can be complicated. There are several issues that arise in a deadly fire, including the following:

How was the fire caused?
Was the fire preventable?
Would smoke alarms have saved the child's life?
Was the home equipped with an appropriate fire detection system?
What other fire prevention or safety measures were in place?
What was the status of the electrical system and ventilation system for the home?
Does the family rent or own the home?
What insurance coverage would apply to the injuries and deaths suffered as a result of this fire?

Read more about this tragic fire at 6-year-old dies in Port Richey house fire.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home , Negligent Security , Statutory References (Florida)

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December 2, 2009

Jacksonville, Florida – Twelve Year Old Girl (Jamie Garr) Killed in House Fire

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Jamie Garr was visiting her grandmother for the holidays recently, when the woman’s house caught on fire. Jamie was outside the house riding her bicycle when she noticed the fire, according to neighbors. Jamie reportedly ran into the house and called 911, then attempted to save her great-aunt, Corrine Allen, who lived in the home, from the fire. Neither made it out of the house. A friend of Ms. Allen’s reported that she was suffering from dementia. Jamie’s grandmother was Ms. Allen’s caretaker, and was not home when the fire started.

Investigators believe that the fire was caused by something placed on top of a heater; the heater was between the front door and the bedroom where Jamie and Ms. Allen’s bodies were found. The fire apparently pinned them into the bedroom and prevented them from leaving the house. It is not clear why the two did not try to escape through the window. Neighbors who attempted to get into the house through the front door were unable to make it past the burglar bars.

Fires can break out and become deadly very quickly. Children and adults should be aware of what to do in a fire, and should talk about escape routes and proper fire safety on a regular basis. You can find out more about this tragic fire that claimed the lives of two people at Jacksonville 12-year-old died trying to save great-aunt.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Burn and Fire Injuries , Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home

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November 29, 2009

Jacksonville Florida Baby Suffers Personal Injuries in Space Heater Fire

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The Florida Times Union reported that a baby recently suffered personal injuries from a space heater fire. Jaxson Spencer Willis was in a stroller that was ignited from kerosene from a space heater. He suffered burns to his legs, arms, back of his head, and his face. Jaxson was initially treated at Shands Jacksonville and then he was airlifted to Shands Gainesville for further treatment. If there is an investigation by the Jacksonville Fire Department and / or the State of Florida Fire Marshal, it will be interesting to know additional details about this incident including the following:

What was the make, model and year of the space heater?

Were there any defects in the space heater?

How did kerosene get on the stroller from the space heater?

Were there problems with the space heater previously?

Who owned the space heater and the house where the incident took place?

Burn injuries to children can be quite devastating and can often times require an extensive amount of medical treatment.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Burn and Fire Injuries , Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries

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November 22, 2009

Tragic Ocala, Florida Fire Causes Death of 4 Children and their Mother

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In Ocala, Florida, a tragic fire caused the death of 4 children and their mother. The fire and deaths were reported in the The Orlando Sentine newspaper website. It was reported that a mobile home caught fire and the roof collapsed. Marion County Fire Rescue found the bodies of the children and the mother. Officials with the Marion County Fire Department and the State of Florida Fire Marshal's office will conduct an investigation as to the cause of the fire. The children were quite young ranging in age from a few months to 5 years old. It is important to investigate the causes of these fires so that action can be taken by others and for others to prevent similar incidents from taking place. The deaths of these children and their mother is a great loss and tragedy for the family, friends, neighbors and the community.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Fire and Burn Injuries

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November 13, 2009

Teen Struggles with Burn Injuries After Being Set Afire by Broward County Teens

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In Miami, Florida, Michael Brewer, age 15, is currently a patient at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital Burn Center. Michael was the unfortunate victim of a crime committed by other teenagers. It was reported that Michael was covered with rubbing alcohol and then set afire by teens who thought that Michael was a "snitch" for reporting that another boy had stolen a bicycle. It was estimated that Michael suffered injuries from second / third degree burns to over 60 % of his body. He needs a ventilator to breathe and a special mattress and care to deal with these serious personal injuries.

This senseless criminal act of setting this child on fire will be dealt with through the Broward County Florida criminal justice system. The teens, who committed this crime, should be sentenced and serve time commensurate with the horrible nature and cowardice actions associated with the crime. You can read more about this story at Florida Teen Struggles with Major Burn Injuries from Criminal Acts of Other Teens.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Burn and Fire Injuries , Crimes Against Children , Fire and Burn Injuries , Violent Crimes

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September 22, 2009

Hudson, Florida - Boy Seriously Burned Playing with Fire and Flammable Liquids

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In Hudson, Florida, a 10 year old boy recently suffered serious personal injuries while playing with friends. It was reported by the Associated Press that the boy and friends were pretending to use a wand to cast magical spells in a make believe game. The combination of gasoline, bug spray, and a match led to the boy catching on fire. The boy's mother heard screaming and was able to put out the fire. Thereafter, 911 was called and paramedics responded to the home. The boy was later taken to a Tampa hospital via helicopter.

Children lack good judgment when it comes to flammable products and matches / lighters / fire. What starts as a fun game for a child can lead to serious personal injures including severe burns.

Parents, to the best of their ability, should keep flammable items away from the reach of children. Of course, a 10 year old child can be quite skillful in getting to items that he should not touch. It is probably the safest to store flammable liquids and poisons in a locked cabinet or area.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home

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August 29, 2009

Bay County, Florida Baby (Johna) Burned in Meth Lab Fire

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In Bay County, Florida, a baby suffered serious personal injuries / burns as a result of a Meth Lab fire in her home. Chemicals that make up Meth are highly flammable. The 1 year old baby suffered burns to half of her body. The mother (Tessa Wagy) and the father (John Franklin Osborn) were arrested. Bay County Sheriff commented that the parents made choices. The innocent child victim had choices made for her. It is obvious that the child was put in a dangerous situation and home environment and greatly suffered as a result of poor and selfish choices by these parents. You can read more about this story at Bay County, Florida Baby Suffers Burns in Meth Lab Fire. The baby was taken to Joseph M. Still Burn Unit in Georgia.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Alcohol & Drug Issues , Burn and Fire Injuries , Crimes Against Children , Fire and Burn Injuries , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home

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