Boston Injury Lawyer Blog

Located in Boston, the Massachusetts Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) was created to help Massachusetts State and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or other computer technology to exploit children. Protecting children includes monitoring their time on the internet. The Boston attorneys at the Law Office of Neil Burns represent children injured, and children hurt in accidents and childhood-type accidents and injuries, and we bring this message to help keep Boston and Massachusetts area children safe.

And by way of update, risks associated with internet use can be potentially serious. A recent survey done by Cox Communication, Inc., shows preliminary results where more than 80 percent of teens surveyed believe what they post online could impact their personal reputation. Despite this understanding, however, teens continue to engage in risky behavior online. For example, 50 percent of those surveyed said they have posted a fake age online and 38 percent have become social network friends with someone they did not know.

During the past five years, these surveys have shown a dramatic increase in teen online access both in the home and via sophisticated wireless devices, the rise of social networking, the migration of bullying to online forums, and even the careless exchange of sexually suggestive texts (sexts). The surveys have also shown that one thing has not changed, however, education is key. Parents need to be more vigilant than ever in monitoring their children's online activity; they must strive to create an open dialogue with their kids both for their protection and for their future success.

Memorial Day in Massachusetts is known by Boston residents as the unofficial start of summer. Soon, Massachusetts children will be out of school for summer vacation, with Boston Public Schools letting out on June 24, 2010. And with summer and children outside, the risk of serious injuries increases greatly. The Boston attorneys at the Law Office of Neil Burns reminds all Boston area residents that childhood injuries increase during the summer months. We note the following information in an effort to keep our children safe and free from personal injury.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional (non-abuse) injuries were the leading cause of death amongst children who presented to an emergency room between the years 2000 and 2006. Thus, this begs the question of whether there are any patterns to child injuries, and if so, how do we keep children safe? When the above statistics were studied, they revealed that childhood injuries seemed to cluster chronologically in families. So if a child was injured seriously enough to be hospitalized, all the children in that family were at higher risk of injury for the next three months. After three months time, the families' risk returned to normal.

Thus, this three month time period is a heightened time within which parents need to be especially careful. We want to make sure we are creating the safest possible environment for our children. Some of the greatest successes in injury prevention have come from across-the-board safeguards like seat belt laws, bike helmets, and fences around pools. Hopefully, we can extent this to helping our kids and their siblings stay safe in knowing the significance of the three month injury time period.

In a continued effort to advise Boston and Massachusetts parents of trends affecting their children, the Boston Law Office of Neil Burns is posting this article regarding fast-food toys, like those found at McDonald's, being banned in San Francisco. Since 1985, the attorneys at the Law Office of Neil Burns have represented children injured in accidents. We always seek to provide information to help keep children in Boston and throughout Massachusetts safe and healthy.

The Board of Supervisors in Santa Clara County, south of San Francisco, California, recently voted to ban the promotional toys that often accompany children size portions of certain meals if those meals do not meet certain nutritional standards. The criteria used for the nutritional standard is based on federal standards and recommendations from the nonprofit Institute of Medicine.

The law is the first of its kind. It is intended, says Board member Ken Yeager, to level "the playing field by taking away the incentive to choose fatty, sugary foods over healthier options." Now, restaurants can give away toys with meals so long as those meals do not contain excessive calories, sodium, sugar or fat.

Continue reading "Fast Food Toys Banned at McDonald's" »

Boston residents recently came together to stem the tide of Massachusetts Child Labor Law violations, work-related injuries, and deaths at a conference organized by youth leaders from the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) and the Teens Lead at Work program at MassCOSH (the Massachusetts Coalition of Occupational Safety and Health). The attorney's at the Boston office of the Law Office of Neil Burns want Massachusetts children to stay safe. The Law Office of Neil Burns can help if your child is injured or hurt in an accident.

With summer just around the corner and tens of thousands of young people entering the workforce in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed May "Safe Jobs for Youth Month" to focus attention on preventing child workplace injuries and deaths.

Since 2000, according to MassCOSH, eight teens in Massachusetts have been killed at work, many doing jobs prohibited under the Child Labor Laws. Each year, an estimated 1,000 minors in Massachusetts are treated in emergency rooms for work-related injuries. While workers, in general, can be exposed to many hazards on the job that can result in injury, illness, or even death, young workers are at increased risk. They are sometimes asked to perform tasks for which they lack the size, strength or experience. As new workers, they are also often unfamiliar with workplace hazards, ways to avoid injuries, and their rights as workers.

Continue reading "May is Safe Jobs for Youth Month" »

In the Boston suburb of Plainville, Massachusetts, a mother recently filed a lawsuit following the death of her teenage daughter. There are serious risks associated with underage drinking. The Law Office of Neil Burns is dedicated to keeping our children safe, and in zealously representing families whose child suffers injury or death.

The deceased teen, Taylor Meyer, was a senior at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, Massachusetts, when she drowned in a local swamp. It was later discovered she had attended at least three parties the night of Oct. 17, 2008, resulting in her severe intoxication. Taylor Meyer's mother is suing 2 adults and 5 young people for the wrongful death of her child, claiming they provided her with alcohol.

Continue reading "Injuries to Children in Massachusetts and Boston's Suburbs" »

Massachusetts and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security located in Boston, recently announced the third annual "Dance. Don't Chance." video contest, and is encouraging all Massachusetts juniors and seniors to participate. In representing children injured in automobile accidents, The Law Office of Neil Burns is encouraged that Massachusetts continues to promote childhood safety. Contestants are asked to write and produce one-minute videos that promote safe driving by discouraging speeding, drag racing, distracted driving (such as texting or iPod use) and underage drinking.

According to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, teenagers aged 16 to 19 account for a disproportionate number of motor vehicle fatalities, and the months of May and June, during prom season, show ever higher crash and injury rates in Massachusetts. According to the Center for Disease Control, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Holding Public Safety Student Video Contest" »

I have been representing children who are victims of personal injury in Boston, and throughout Massachusetts, since 1985. Each case is different, however, we have drafted this column for general reference for our clients.

Children are victims of others' negligence in the same ways that adults are. In addition, however, they are often victims because others do not even think that a child will be attracted to a dangerous object or animal.

The following are resources that we have found helpful.

Continue reading "A2Z Injuries to Children Law℠ Blog in Boston, Massachusetts" »

Massachusetts residents enjoy significant legal protection from vicious dog owners. In Boston, we have been representing victims of dog and other animal bite injuries in Boston, and throughout Massachusetts, since 1985. Each case is different, however, we have drafted this column for general reference for our clients.

The following is the full statute regarding the law in this matter:

General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 140: Section 155. Liability for damage caused by dog; minors; presumption and burden of proof.

Continue reading "Dog Attacks in Boston and Massachusetts" »

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Dorel Juvenile Group is recalling over 200,000 Safety 1st Disney Care Center Play Yards and Eddie Bauer Complete Care Play Yards bassinets. While no injuries have yet to be reported, the design of the bassinets apparently has a defect that can cause suffocation in babies. Apparently there are metal bars supporting the floorboard of the structure which can become undone, come out of the fabric sleeves and create an "uneven sleeping surface, posing a risk of suffocation or positional asphyxiation."

The units, manufactured in China, were sold at "Babies "R" Us, Kmart, Sears, Target and Walmart from January 2007 through October 2009 for between $100 and $130" According to the CPS.

Continue reading "Boston, Massachusetts Clients Beware of Play Yard Bassinets" »

We have been representing victims of burn injuries in Boston, and throughout Massachusetts, since 1985. Each case is different, however, we have drafted this column for general reference for our clients.

First, and foremost, get professional medial help. Emergency medical personnel and hospitals throughout Massachusetts are equipped for almost any medical emergency. Following emergency treatment, continue to seed medical help as burn injuries are serious and often permanent.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Burn Injury Cases Handled by Boston Firms" »