by Spencer Aronfeld | Dec 4, 2018 | Child Injuries
A new Canadian law now issues a much harsher penalty for drivers who illegally pass a school bus and put innocent children in danger. That momentary lapse in judgement and decision making to pass the bus willfully will now result in the driver losing his or her driver’s license, along with other penalties. This new law was passed in the Prince Edward Canadian province and will go into effect on December 8, 2018. Any driver who is caught illegally passing a school bus will have their license revoked for a period of three months and could face a fine of $5,000. If the driver wishes to get his or her license back, they must first pay a $100 reinstatement fee, take a defensive driving course within six months and meet with highway safety officials. After taking these steps, the driver will still be on probation for a one-year period. This new Canadian law has those of us in the U.S. asking if a similar law should be passed to protect our children riding school buses every day. With the recent deaths at school bus stops across the country, many have asked the question of what can be done to stop drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses? One of the most recent incidents occurred here in Florida. Seven individuals were rushed to the hospital after a vehicle struck students at a Tampa school bus stop. Witnesses who saw the scene unfold say that a Ford Escort was seen driving at a high rate of speed, hitting several pedestrians who were standing at the side of the road, waiting for...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Oct 30, 2018 | Car Accidents, Child Injuries
Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for children of all ages, but the grim statistics surrounding the holiday are something parents and drivers should take seriously. On average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to any other day of the year. We encourage parents to talk to their children about Halloween safety, as simple precautions and planning can make it a fun and safe night for all! At Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, we hope you and your loved ones have a safe and Happy Halloween. Here are some important safety tips for parents, children, motorists and property owners to remember this Halloween. Safety tips for motorists: • The safest thing you can do is avoid driving on Halloween night. The potential for car accidents involving young children increases four times on Halloween night, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). • If you must drive, do not drive distracted. Distracted driving involves more than using a smartphone while operating a vehicle. It is anything that takes your focus off the road for a second. Focus on safe driving and your surroundings, especially in residential neighborhoods where there is trick-or-treating. • Take extra time to look for kids at intersections waiting to cross the street, on medians and on curbs. • Always keep an eye out for children. Expect them to dart out in front of traffic. Halloween is an exciting night for them and sometimes they can forget the most basic of safety rules, particularly around vehicles. • If you are the parent of a teen driver, establish...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Sep 18, 2018 | Child Injuries, Cruise Ship Accidents
Taking a cruise can be a dream vacation for your family, but for some, that dream can soon turn into a nightmare if an injury or death occurs to a child. Serious accidents and injuries can happen to children at sea when the proper precautions are not taken, or the cruise line is negligent in caring for its minor passengers. We recently did a blog on tips to avoid child injuries on your next cruise. Among the most common accident sites on cruise ships are falls on stairs and steps. When the vacation of a lifetime turns into a nightmare due to a slip and fall, or a sexual assault, our firm holds cruise lines accountable by obtaining compensation for the injured victim and their family. Here is Part III of our special section on Cruise Ship Passenger Safety Tips for Children and Families. Swimming Pool Accidents and Drownings Pools and water slides on cruise ships are one of the biggest attractions for families, but they come with their own set of inherent risks. The risk of drowning goes up when children are around water. Our firm has handled tragic cases involving children harmed while in a pool on a cruise ship, some of these resulting in the child’s drowning. Many cruise lines do not post lifeguards at their pools, and essentially state you are swimming “at your own risk.” Cruise lines, including Carnival, require children under the age of 13 swim with parental supervision. However, it only takes a moment of looking away from your child for tragedy to strike. It is for this reason that we always encourage cruise ship passengers...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Sep 6, 2018 | Child Injuries, Cruise Ship Accidents
Making memories with your children and experiencing an unforgettable family vacation should be what your next cruise is all about. Major cruise lines including, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises heavily market to young families who are looking for the accommodations of a luxury resort, while experiencing endless excitement and adventures at sea. These major cruise lines offer state-of-the-art ship design with an array of kid-friendly activities, such as wave pools, rock-climbing walls, laser tag, movie theatres, even ice-skating. It is estimated that 27.2 Million passengers will board a cruise ship in 2018. The demand for cruising has increased 20.5% in the last 5 years, according to a report by Cruise Lines International Association, Inc. However, just like on land serious accidents and injuries can happen to children at sea when the proper precautions are not taken, or the cruise line is negligent in caring for its minor passengers. Among the most common accident sites on cruise ships are stairs and steps. When the vacation of a lifetime turns into a nightmare due to a slip, trip and fall or a sexual assault onboard a cruise ship, our firm holds cruise lines accountable by obtaining compensation for injured passengers; these cases are especially tragic when these passengers are children. Aronfeld Trial Lawyers has successfully represented child passengers and their families from around the world who have been injured on cruise ships. We have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for these passengers when cruise lines put their profits ahead of passenger safety. Here is Part II of our special section on Cruise Ship...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 1, 2018 | Child Injuries
Duties & Liabilities to Children in Premises Liability Cases A landowner holds different duties of care when it comes to individuals coming onto his or her property, and this duty can vary depending on the classification for the individual. One special classification involves children. The duties and liabilities the property owner holds are greater for minors than the average adult entrant onto the property. Liability in Children Versus Adults When it comes to premises liability cases, children receive a greater standard of care than adults. Many times, the degree of care that is given to the children depends on that child’s age and the ability that the child has to foresee certain perils before him or her. The younger the child, the higher the level of care. In addition, the way the child entered the property can also affect the duty and liability of the landowner; for example, if the child was an invitee, licensee, or a trespasser. Trespassing Child Generally, if there is a child trespassing onto a landowner’s property, the liability depends on a number of factors, including: The failure of the landowner to take reasonable care against what is known as foreseeable conduct of the child; and Balancing social policy of allowing the landowner to be able to use his or her own property in a way against general concern for the welfare of children. If an adult is trespassing onto the property they are typically held responsible for his or her own injuries, but if that trespasser is a child, it is assumed that the child does not have the knowledge and ability to process...
by Aronfeld Trial Lawyers | Jan 22, 2018 | Child Injuries, Wrongful Death
Playground and swing set injuries account for account for over 200,000 serious child injuries a year. This number doesn’t represent the minor injuries, such as scrapes, bruises, and broken arms, only those that require calling an ambulance and assistance of the emergency department. Therefore, the actual number of child injuries from swing sets is far higher. According to statistics from the Center for Diseases Control (CDC), in addition to these grave injuries, children die each year while at play on swing sets, with 147 deaths in a 10-year period. These deaths are tragic for the family and the local community, and parents can be left feeling helpless after the wrongful death of their child. Florida’s wrongful death action and rights afforded a minor’s family provide a proactive way to find closure for the loss. How Are Children Killed and Seriously Injured on Playgrounds? In Florida, deaths on park playground and personal swing sets are reported each year. These Florida child wrongful death accidents mostly result from strangulation and falling. Only in a very rare instance is a child seriously hurt or killed by impact with playground equipment. Children in Florida are far more likely to sustain injuries on public playgrounds, such as those located at a local park or school. The CDC found that 75% of swing set injuries occurred on public equipment. But the inverse is true when it comes to death. Across the United States, nearly 70% of all child deaths on playgrounds occur on private property. However, children are also fatally injured on playgrounds at childcare facilities, daycares, and schools. In fact, a leading cause of...
