Can Homeopathic Products Be Dangerous for Children?

Homeopathic products are marketed to the public as alternative medicines that can treat various health problems. However, in recent months, some of these products have been linked to injuries and deaths. Homeopathic magnetic bracelets are the most recent product of concern. These bracelets are marketed as a way to improve blood flow and “electromagnetic energy balance.” They may also be a source of lead exposure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 9-month-old baby in Connecticut had dangerously high levels of lead in her blood after using one of these products. A lab test first spotted the lead exposure during a routine checkup. At first, the girl’s doctors assumed she had been exposed to lead paint. An investigation did discover lead paint on two windows in the girl’s house. However, this theory was ruled out because the girl’s siblings did not have excess lead in their blood. It turns out the parents had purchased a homeopathic magnetic bracelet at an artisan fair. According to the parents, they believed the bracelet would help ease their daughter’s teething pain. The child repeatedly stuck an object in her mouth. Lab tests discovered the bracelet contained lead at 17,000 parts per million – 170 times the amount of lead allowed in children’s products under federal regulations.

Children who are exposed to lead may suffer from multiple adverse health conditions. They may develop brain, kidney, and nervous system damage. In addition, they have a heightened risk of learning disabilities and other cognitive problems. Severe exposure may cause lead poisoning, which can result in coma or death.

Are Homeopathic Supplements Regulated?

Homeopathic medications do not have US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat any health conditions. These products do not go through the same rigorous review process as FDA-approved prescription medications and medical devices. As a result, they may contain harmful substances that can lead to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. The same could be said for regular (nonhomeopathic) nutritional supplements. For example, a study published in the medical journal Hepatology found that certain bodybuilding or weight loss supplements contain substances that cause liver damage. There are also other cases of homeopathic products that allegedly caused injuries or deaths. Hyland’s homeopathic Teething Tablets were found to contain varying levels of belladonna alkaloids. Belladonna is more commonly known as deadly nightshade. The product was finally recalled after intense pressure from the FDA and the public.

Lawsuits have been filed by parents who allege the tablets were responsible for the deaths of their children. Parents of children harmed by homeopathic products may be able to file lawsuits. Manufacturers or retailers who sold the products may be liable for injuries or deaths. The ability to collect a judgment would depend on the circumstances. If a homeopathic product harmed your child, contact Mike Love & Associates, LLC. It is essential to discuss your situation with an experienced Texas personal injury lawyer.

Can Football Concussions Cause Permanent Brain Damage?

Many Texans consider football to be an important part of our culture. Plenty of movies and books have been written that describe Texas football culture in detail. However, this is a sport that should be treated with both respect and caution. In some cases, football concussions can put players at risk of suffering permanent brain damage. A new study released by Boston University discovered that brain health can decline after several years of playing the sport. Researchers at Boston University examined the brains of 202 deceased football players. According to the results, 87 percent had signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain disease first described in 2005 by Dr. Bennet Omalu.

The condition can develop over time after suffering multiple concussions. What makes the Boston University study alarming is that some of the brains examined belonged to athletes who had only played high school football. However, they still showed signs of CTE. If you saw the movie Concussion starring Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, then you may already be somewhat familiar with the debilitating symptoms caused by CTE. For example, people suffering from CTE may be more prone to apathy, depression, and substance abuse. They can also suffer from short-term memory loss or impulsive behavior.

Unsurprisingly, many of the symptoms of CTE have been compared to dementia. CTE is irreversible, and the symptoms caused by the disease can worsen over time, mainly when additional concussions occur. In addition to CTE, football concussions can also cause second-impact syndrome. Second-impact syndrome occurs when a player suffers two back-to-back concussions within a short timeframe. While this condition is exceedingly rare, it is responsible for several deaths and cases of severe brain damage. Athletes who survive second-impact syndrome can require specialized medical care for life.

Many states, including Texas, have laws that are designed to prevent second-impact syndrome. In Texas, we have Natasha’s Law. Coaches and athletic directors in our state are required to complete training to help them identify players with concussion symptoms. Once identified, these athletes are removed until they are cleared to return to play.

Can I File a Concussion Lawsuit?

If a high school athlete is suspected of having a concussion, they should be removed from the field and examined by a medical professional. An athlete with severe concussion symptoms may take days or weeks to recover before it is safe to return to playing. While Texas football (and arguably other sports) are very competitive, the desire to win a game should never jeopardize the safety of our young athletes. There are cases in which the school or athletic program can be held accountable when players are injured.

Injured? Contact Mike Love & Associates, LLC today to discuss your options and rights under Texas State Law. We can help.

How Can Your Children Be Injured at Daycare?

Millions of parents across the country rely on daycare centers to supervise their children while they are at work. Parents place enormous trust in daycare centers. After all, these businesses are tasked with caring for their children for several hours each day. However, there are instances in which daycare centers betray parents' trust. When licensed daycare centers are negligent, children can suffer catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Common causes of tragedies at daycare centers may include:

• Lack of supervision: Daycare workers cannot properly supervise children if they are distracted. A lack of supervision may expose children to fall injuries, choking hazards, and other dangers. In some cases, daycare workers have left children in hot cars after becoming distracted. The purpose of a daycare center is to supervise children. A lack of supervision is one of the most egregious violations.

• Abusive or dangerous staff: Daycare staff members with a history of violence or sexual abuse can harm children. Children can be victimized when daycares fail to conduct background checks on staff.

• Poorly trained staff: Daycare staff may be unable to respond to certain types of emergencies. For example, if a child drowned or stopped breathing for other reasons, staff would need to know CPR to save the child’s life.

• Unsanitary conditions: Children can develop illnesses when daycares do not provide a sanitary environment. Daycares that do not regularly sanitize the premises can put children at risk of developing deadly bacterial and viral infections. Although this is a sensitive topic for some, daycares can also put others at risk by accepting children who have not received immunizations.

• Defective equipment or toys: Each year, defective children’s products are recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and manufacturers. For example, some toys may present a choking or burn hazard to children. In other cases, defective cribs or furniture may cause fall injuries. These products can cause accidents at daycares.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Daycare Injuries?

Unfortunately, these are only a few examples of how your child could be harmed at a daycare center. This is by no means an exhaustive list. The essential question in filing a lawsuit is whether the daycare was negligent. Negligence is not always apparent to parents or caregivers after an accident. The daycare accident that harmed your child may warrant further investigation by law enforcement and an attorney. Depending on the circumstances that caused the accident, it may be possible to file a lawsuit against the daycare center. Daycare accidents can result in brain injuries, burn injuries, and other serious harm that could have lifelong consequences for you and your child. Damages from a lawsuit could help pay for some of the expenses associated with these injuries. If your child was injured at daycare, contact the Texas personal injury lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC to discuss your situation and potential legal options at no cost.

Why are Soccer Goals Dangerous for Kids?

After-school sports like football and lacrosse receive a lot of media attention because they can put young athletes at risk of suffering traumatic brain injuries. However, soccer is another sport that may cause catastrophic injuries and deaths. In some cases, unsecured soccer goals are the culprit. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 200 children per year are injured by tip-over accidents involving unsecured soccer goals. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and organ damage are all possible outcomes caused by these accidents. The CPSC also claims that tip-over accidents involving soccer goals kill an average of one child per year. It is a common misconception that soccer goals are heavy objects that cannot easily fall over. However, the weight is concentrated at the top of soccer goals, so even a strong gust of wind can cause a tip-over. In fact, almost a dozen soccer goal tip-over accidents that have occurred since the 1970s were caused by wind. Other accidents were caused by roughhousing on the goals. Several other accidents occurred because people climbed on or tried to lift the goals. However, this does not necessarily mean these individuals are to blame for the accidents. It is unreasonable to assume that young athletes would have any understanding of why soccer goals can be dangerous. This is why adults should always supervise young athletes during practices, scrimmages, or games.

Are Soccer Goal Post Injuries Preventable?

The CPSC has published guidelines that can help prevent soccer goal tip-over accidents. According to the CPSC, soccer goals should always be anchored to the ground. This can be done by using stakes, sandbags, or other approved counterweights. In addition, the CPSC recommends only using soccer goals on level surfaces. If possible, soccer goals should be chained to nearby structures or fences. Finally, these goals should be disassembled for seasonal storage. Parents whose children were injured by soccer goal tip-over accidents may be able to file lawsuits for damages. School districts, summer camps, afterschool athletic programs, and goal manufacturers may be responsible for these accidents. If your child was injured during a tip-over accident, then it is essential to discuss legal options with an attorney. The catastrophic injuries caused by soccer goal accidents may require a lifetime of specialized medical care and other resources. For example, a person with a spinal cord injury may need rehabilitation services and home modifications. A personal injury lawsuit may help cover some of these expenses. Contact the Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC, to learn whether they have options to file a lawsuit.

When Are Amusement Parks Responsible for Injuries?

Amusement park injuries are commonplace in our country. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that there were 30,000 amusement park injuries during 2016. Ride malfunctions cause some of these injuries. Several weeks ago, a ride malfunction at the Ohio State Fair caused one death and multiple injuries. According to investigators, a row of seats was ejected from the Fire Ball ride. Two individuals on the ride were tossed more than 20 feet before landing on concrete. Others were injured after being struck by pieces of equipment that were ejected. According to the ride’s manufacturer, excessive corrosion was the cause of the amusement park accident. Tragedies like the one that occurred in Ohio happen every year across the country. Last year at a water park in Kansas City, a 10-year-old boy was decapitated on a water slide. Months later, two young children and a teenager fell off a Ferris wheel in Tennessee. There have also been fatal accidents at Texas theme parks. In 2014, a woman died after falling from a rollercoaster at Six Flags in Arlington, Texas.

How Can Amusement Park Accidents Happen?

Amusement park accidents may be caused by:

• Amusement park ride operators. Ride operators are responsible for explaining instructions to park goers and ensuring they are safe. These are the folks who may strap you into a ride or explain safety instructions. If these individuals are not adequately trained or if they are ineffective at communicating, then you could be put in harm’s way.

• Poor maintenance practices. There is very little oversight in the amusement park industry. As a result, some amusement parks may have poor maintenance procedures. Rides can break down from wear and tear, which may pose a danger. For example, if the latches that keep you seated on a rollercoaster fail, you could be ejected from the ride.

• Defective equipment. Amusement park rides may contain design or manufacturing defects. For example, doors, lap bars, or harnesses may contain defects. In other cases, rides may be designed in a way that is dangerous to you or others.

• Poor signage. Theme parks have several restricted areas with safety hazards. For example, at a Six Flags park in 2008, a parkgoer was decapitated by a ride after walking into a restricted area to retrieve his hat. When theme parks fail to warn parkgoers of hazards, they can suffer injuries or wrongful death.

These are only a few examples of how theme park accidents may occur. If you or a loved one suffered harm during a theme park accident, then you may have options to recover damages from the parties who are responsible. Contact the Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC, and you can learn whether you have options to recover damages.