Corpus Christi Personal Injury Lawyer

Emilio Morales, a 3 year old toddler, drowns in Houston Apartment Pool

Jesse Guerra / Texas Safety Lawyer — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:26:15 GMT

According to a story in the Houston Chronicle, Emilio was swimming in the apartment complex of Rolido Parkway. �Details remain sketchy at the moment. �It is believed he slipped out of a floatation device and was found on the bottom of the pool soon after.
Words of caution; Always check the flotation devices to see if they are adequate for the size of your child and age range. �Also, it is not apparent whether or not the water clarity was at issue in the delay of finding little Emilio after he slipped through the device.
Remember, a pool is only safe to swim in if you can clearly see the drain at the bottom of the pool in the deepest end of the pool.
Water clarity is the number one safety rule for class C commercial pools such as the one mentioned in the article.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra / Texas Safety Lawyer

Golf Cart Injuries are soaring higher than Tiger Wood's Drives

Jesse Guerra / Texas Safety Lawyer — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:40:03 GMT

According to a recent article in Time Magazine, golf carts injuries are soaring to new heights. The Center for Injury research and Policy in Columbus, Ohio has reported a 132% increase in emergency room visits due to golf cart injuries.

The injuries were ranging from minor injuries to major injuries such as concussions, fractures, and hemorrhages. According to Time Magazine, the increase is part of a move by senior citizen communities and other residential communities using golf carts as vehicles to get around the neighborhood. Another reason is that the carts are getting up to faster speeds and can be harder to control and brake in different situations.

Some safety tips they offered were; 1. mandate a minimum driver age of sixteen, 2. wearing helmets, 3. breaking slowly, and 4. paying attention while driving the cart.

While the golf cart looks casual, it should be treated with caution and respect.

So next time your out on the course or the street with a golf cart, remember that safety is key to staying healthy and out of the hospital.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra / Texas Safety Lawyer

Driver Charged With Intoxication In SUV Rollover Accident

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:57:00 GMT

Six people were ejected from their SUV when it rolled over. Police are investigating the crash, but believe alcohol was a prime factor in the rollover accident.

The driver of the SUV, traveling at a high rate of speed, took a wide turn off of Rand Morgan and headed down Leopard when he lost control of the vehicle, went into a ditch and rolled over several times before coming to rest, according to witness statements given to police.

The drive faces a felony - intoxication assault charge. Three adults and three children were thrown from the SUV and transported to the hospital following the accident, according to police.

CCPD Lieutenant Brown told KRIS 6 News, "We were able to talk to the two young siblings and they had told us they were wearing seatbelts. But they're all three fairly small children and they didn't have car seats, chances are they were still ejected."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Playing it Safe on Vacation

Bob Hilliard — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:19:06 GMT

There are plenty of criteria by which to judge resorts and hotels. Such as location, price, attractions just to name a few. There are plenty of websites to help you choose where to stay on your next vacation, but you should never over look safety. Those websites might tell you which hotel has the best view and a pool, it may not tell you if the pool has a certified lifeguard on duty, or a trained pool maintenance staff.

While it's true that plenty vacationers play it safe around the water, accidents can happen fast. Even the most attentive parent can miss something a lifeguard is trained to watch for. In the event of an accident, wouldn't you feel better knowing someone who has been trained in first aid and CPR is right there waiting to assist? Wouldn't you want to swim in a pool with a certified lifeguard as opposed to a pool with a sign that reads, "Swim at your own risk"?

Having a lifeguard around is just the tip of the iceberg. All public pools operated in Texas are supposed to meet a plethora of criteria set fourth by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The general public may be able to decide whether or not they should swim at their own risk, but what about the things you have no control over? We trust that the pool has the proper chemicals and the right amounts for water clarity. Don't hesitate to ask the hotel manager if they have a certified Texas pool maintenance staff that maintains the facilities.

While you are on the phone asking questions, ask if hotel offers any on site security. Far too often we see the signs that say management is not responsible for damaged cars. If the hotel or resort really wants to keep their customers happy they can arrange to have police patrols come by or have a security guard on the premises.

You can also check the crime rate of the area the hotel is in. The website, bestplaces.net, will allow you to see many statistics, including crime rate, of a given area. All you have to do is type in the zip code of a potential hotel to get information about the amount of crime, air and water quality in the area, and many other statistics that are just downright interesting. That way you can see for yourself if the hotel you are looking at is in a high crime rate area.

Summer time is a great time to go on vacation and get your mind off things, but that doesn't mean we can take a break from playing it safe. Never do that. Always keep safety as your number one priority, right up there with location and site attractions.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Hilliard

Texas Safety Lawyer Responds to Questions about Colin Holst Drowning on Safety Blog Spot

Jesse Guerra — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:27:12 GMT

I would first like to reiterate my sympathies for this family at this tragic time. �As a parent of four children, I myself am fully aware of the risks that are present each day they leave the house.
However, my feelings remain unchanged regarding pool safety and the responsibility lifeguards have when they take that type of job and pool operators have towards users of their pools. �

To blame a parent for the loss of their child at a facility that offers lifeguards and that users pay a fee for is absurd. �Some things should be included in the price of admission and safe environments are one of them.

You cannot just have lifeguards acting as warm bodies. �Lifeguards are taught and trained to look for hazardous situations more than the average swimmer. �Yes, we as parents have a duty to watch our kids too. �However, the rules set out in the Texas Department of Health and Safety Standards for Pools and Spas clearly point out rules limiting the number of bathers or swimmers in a pool at one time.
These rules should be enforced and the number of people should be limited to safe numbers so that lifeguards can effectively do their jobs. �This is a job for the pool staff, NOT parents. �

If the pool is designed in a way that lures children in to a shallow area and then gets them to a deep area without safety measures such as line markings and floating ropes that should raise a flag. �Again, these rules are part of the State of Texas Guidelines and must be followed by Pool Staff NOT parents.

The people that responded to my blog should make their concerns in writing to Life Time Fitness so they are fully aware of the dangers their pool may have. �If lifeguards are not paying attention and not doing their job, they ned to know about it ASAP. �

If the comment that a reader from the Austin American Statesman blog is true that this is not the first drowning for that company, then questions need to be answered as to how this happened again and what measures were taken to prevent this.

Life vest are great if used properly and with supervision, they are never a save all. �
The rules are in place so that if a child gets away from �a parent which can happen, safeguards take over to save a child from harm's way. �Thats why we have guidelines like water clarity because if a child is at the bottom of the pool that child can be saved and thats why we need well trained and responsible lifeguards to step in when they are needed and save the day.�

Unfortunately, that did not happen in this case. �One thing that has happened is people are talking about pool safety and that may help save a life. �

Thank you all for your responses and posts. �

Please stay tuned for more information as it develops and be on the look out for pool safety posts from my blog page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra

Colin Holst, 4 Remembered After his Tragic Drowning at Life Time Fitness

Jesse Guerra — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:21:16 GMT

According to an article in the Austin American Statesman, "Colin Holst might have been only 4 years old, but he could run like the wind." Words by his father described him as having the endurance of an olympic athlete.

Colin was pulled out of the pool at Life Time Fitness by Life Time lifeguards and was given CPR on friday June 13, 2008. Unfortunately, he passed away Saturday at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, Texas.

He had just graduated from pre-kindergarten at the Primrose School of Bee Cave. His father said he loved to play soccer and go to the beach and playing in the water. Our prayers go out to his family at this tragic time especially as this occurred father's day weekend.

Questions remain? What were the lifeguards on duty doing at the time Colin needed help?

The pertinent lifeguard rules are as follows; 1. 30 Second Rule-The Lifeguard surveys one extreme of his/her zone of responsibility to the other and back within a total of thirty seconds; 2. 10/20 Rule- Once the lifeguard identifies a potential incident (i.e. victim, hazard, risk), he/she must determine within ten seconds whether or not intervention is needed or required. If required, the lifeguard must be positioned in order to intervene within twenty seconds; and 3. 10x10 Reaction rule-The lifeguard must be able to intervene within ten seconds.

It's often the case that lifeguards on duty are often distracted by other people around the pool and are not actively following the rules they were trained to follow. We have all witnessed lifeguards talking to swimmers and others by the lifeguard stand.

No other information was released surrounding the immediate circumstances leading up to this tragic event at this time at Life Time Fitness.

We are left only with words from Colin's father, Jeffrey, "For the short time he was here, he impacted so many people, it's unbelievable, he's my hero."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra

Texas Trial Judge Crashes Car Into TxDOT Truck

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:11:00 GMT

Police were working to reconstruct the accident scene between 105th District Judge Banales and a Texas Department of Transportation worker that occurred on Thursday.

The TxDOT driver remains in Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial's ICU where his condition was upgraded from critical to serious on Friday. The judge did not suffer life threatening injuries, although his condition was not known.

The accident happened on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. as Banales was entering the ramp that connects Padres Island Drive to southbound I-37. Police said his Cadillac slid off the pavement and struck the TxDOT truck that was parked a few feet away, which the driver had been crouching near.

The judge cooperated with officers and provided a blood sample to the hospital, which is standard procedure in all accidents that involve critical injuries, according to police.

Toxicology reports are expected to be delayed due to a backlog of cases in the Crime Lab.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Construction Worker Killed in Texas Crane Accident

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:33:00 GMT

A crane hook plunged to the ground killing a construction worker when the cable snapped, according to police.

Workers were examining the damaged cable extending from the crane that was atop a several-stories-high unfinished building, but a full investigation will be launched.

The name of the worker has not been released, pending family notification.

The worker was a subcontractor for TXI and the crane was provided by Lewis Equipment Co.

Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the cause of the deadly crane accident . Work has been halted at the high-rise condominium site until the investigation is complete.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

QVC Recalls Tomato Planters for Fall Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:37:00 GMT

QVC, in cooperation with the CPSC, announced a voluntary recall of its Topsy-Turvy Deluxe Tomato Planters and Stand due to a fall hazard that poses an injury risk to bystanders.

The company has received 347 reports of planters collapsing; 155 consumers reported injuries including lacerations, broken toes and bruises. QVC has also received reports of property caused when the planter fell and damaged items nearby.

The recalled products are Topsy-Turvy Deluxe Tomato Plant Stand item numbers M16702 and M17499.

Consumers are advised to carefully disassemble the planters. Consumers who purchased the planter through a QVC program or online should have refund instructions that were included in the packaging. If that information is not available, QVC should be contacted for more information.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Kids Station Toys Recalls Little Tikes Toy Cell Phones

Chrissie Cole — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:25:00 GMT

Kids Station Toys, in cooperation with CPSC, is recalling one million Little Tikes "Chit 'N Chat" Toy Cell Phones because the hinge cover can detach, posing a choking hazard to small children.

The CPSC has received three reports of the toys breaking. One report included a small child beginning to choke on the small part after it detached from the toy phone.

Consumers are advised to take the toy phones away from small children immediately and to contact the company for instructions on how to obtain a free replacement toy.

The toy phones resemble flip-phone style cell phones. They are multi-colored and have a sticker on the back with one of the following model numbers: KSL4010, KSL8032, KSL8033 or KSL8051. 'Designed and Licensed by Kids Station Toys International Ltd.' Is printed on the back of the phone.

For additional information, contact Kids Station toll-free at (888) 620-0930 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.kidsstationtoys.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole