Toddler Swallows Battery, Undergoes 18 Surgeries

November 18, 2011 By

According to the CBS affiliate in Arizona KPHO-TV, a toddler who swallowed a tiny battery has undergone several  surgeries as doctors battle to save his life.

The- two-year-old swallowed a lithium battery from a remote control and has now undergone 18 surgeries in the past year at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Arizona.

His mother Karla Rauch said no one saw her son swallow the battery and the first symptoms he had were similar to a cold.

She said in an interview with KPHO-TV: “Batteries start burning in the esophagus within two hours and it was in him we think about three days.”

The acid from the battery burned two holes through the toddler’s esophagus, requiring surgery to remove four inches from it.

Unfortunately, the two-year-old has has spent more than 19 weeks of his young life in the pediatric ICU.  He has also suffered several cases of collapsed lung and had close to 200 X-rays.

Lithium batteries extremely dangerous because they don’t have as much casing as an AA battery.

According to the National Capital Poison Center, each year more than 3,500 people swallow miniature disc or button batteries across the U.S.

The Rauch family set up a charity to raise awareness about the tiny batteries which are used in everyday objects like clocks, cameras and calculators.  The charity is called Emmett’s Fight and informs people about the dangers of button battery ingestion.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Accident Lawyer

Connor Shaw Suffers Concussion, Questionable for Florida Game

November 7, 2011 By

WLTX-TV is reporting that Steve Spurrier confirmed that USC quarterback Connor Shaw and linebacker Devonte Holloman both sustained a concussion in Saturday’s game against Arkansas.   As a precaution, Shaw and Holloman will not participate in practice and will be further evaluated this week. A decision as to whether they will be allowed to play in Saturday’s game against Florida will not be made until  Wednesday or Thursday.

 

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull.  Common symptoms of a concussion include:

  • loss of consciousness,
  • confusion/disorientation,
  • headache, and
  • nausea or vomiting.

Because many of the symptoms of “mild” to “moderate” traumatic brain injury go unnoticed, a severe injury may not be detected.  

Even a mild TBI – classified as loss of consciousness or confusion/disorientation lasting less than 30 minutes – can have long-standing after effects. While MRI and CAT scans are often normal, the patient may experience headache, difficulty thinking, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings and frustration, among other symptoms, for weeks or even months after the injury.

Repeated mild TBI occurring over months or years can cause cumulative neurological and cognitive deficits. If repeated over a short period of time (hours, days or weeks), they can be catastrophic, even fatal.

Click here to read more about traumatic brain injuries.

The Gamecocks will take on the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium at 12:00 p.m. on CBS.  Our best wishes go out for a speedy recovery.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer

Beware of Sexual Offenders, Especially on Halloween Night

October 28, 2011 By

One of America’s most fun-filled holidays is just around the corner.  With proper planning and safety prevention, you and your family can enjoy a safe and Happy Halloween.

One of the most important safety measures a parent or guardian can take is to understand the laws regulating sexual offenders and know where they live within your community.  Look up the locations of sexual offenders here.
South Carolina Sexual Predator Directory

South Carolina prevents sexual offenders who are on probation or parole from answering their doors on Halloween night.  The law states that sexual offenders who are on probation should turn off any outside light (porch lights) and not answer the door at all on Halloween night.  They should also not participate in any Halloween parties, carnivals or other celebrations.  State law also prevents them from putting up any Halloween decorations.  (Note: This does not apply to all sex offenders, many of whom are no longer on probation or parole and therefore not under the jurisdiction of SCDPPPS.)

Sexual offenders also have to comply with a mandatory curfew from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. and some S.C. counties require sexual offenders to report to a designated location during the curfew.

Parents and guardians should be cautious and follow these additional safety tips for a safe and fun night:

  1. Make sure that your child trick or treats with you or other trusted responsible adults.
  2. Discuss safety issues in advance with children such as carrying a flashlight or glow in the dark wand and walking on the sidewalk or the proper side of the road.
  3. Children should be taught not to approach homes that do not have a well-lit porch or entryway and to stay together.
  4. Check EVERYTHING children collect while trick or treating.

 

 

 

HS Athlete Dies from TBI

October 18, 2011 By

South Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

New York authorities in Homer, NY say a 16-year-old high school football player that passed away after collapsing during a game suffered bleeding in his brain, apparently from a helmet-to-helmet collision.

Cortland County Coroner Kevin Sharp says the athlete died from a massive traumatic brain injury, specifically a subdural hematoma.

The lineman for John C. Birdlebough High School in the Oswego County village of Phoenix was injured during Friday night’s game at Homer High School, which is south of Syracuse.

Authorities say he was able to sit up consciously after the play, but did complain of a headache and collapsed when he tried to stand.

The Coroner said there was no evidence of any pre-existing injury or condition that contributed to the teen’s death, but rather the deadly injury was consistent with the helmet-to-helmet collision reported between Barden and another player.

Traumatic brain injuries occur when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.

Traumatic brain injury may be the result of a

For many victims, a traumatic brain injury is not immediately noticeable. This is due in part to the reality that a great amount of force does not need to be applied to sustain a head injury.     If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of an accident, the Strom lawfirm offers a free, no-cost consultation to discuss the facts of your case.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

 

 

Dealing With A Traumatic Brain Injury

September 16, 2011 By

Traumatic Brain Injury

A family coping with the tragedy of a loved one who has suffered a traumatic brain injury is forced to deal with a lifelong, uphill battle that tests patience, devotion, and many times financial resources.

A victim of car accident who is left with traumatic brain injury may never fully recover or regain the life they once had.

Without the calendar taped to the refrigerator in her parents’ kitchen, Kim Valentini wouldn’t know where her dad is. He doesn’t travel far and he isn’t hard to reach. Kim simply can’t remember from hour to hour — sometimes minute to minute — where he’s told her he’ll be. [Read more...]

13 Injured When “Bounce Houses” Go Airborne

June 9, 2011 By

They look safe enough- bouncy colorful castles and slides filled with children jumping carelessly through the air while parents let down their guard.

The favorite attraction at birthday parties and festivals, these inflatable toys, sometimes called “moon bounces” are drawing attention after an accident in New York that left 12 children and one woman injured.

Bodies began tumbling when a two-story red, white and blue inflatable slide went flying into the air at a kid’s soccer tournament Saturday. Two other inflatable bounces also flew off the ground that windy afternoon, causing children to suffer bumps and bruises and critically injuring a mother who had one of the inflatables land on her.

Onlookers sprinted toward the inflatable as it flew through the air, trying desperately to free the children who were trapped inside.

This isn’t the first moon bounce incident that has recently caused concern. In February, an Arizona girl was hurt when a gust of wind picked up a bounce house with two girls playing inside and dumped one girl in the yard but carried the other two houses away and dropped her onto a roof.

According to rideaccidents.com, a website that tracks amusement ride accidents, at least 10 inflatables around the country have been overthrown by winds or collapsed under too much weight in the last two months, injuring more than 40 people.

Jim Barber, a spokesman for the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials told FOX News that it’s not the toys themselves that are the problem, it’s the way they are set up and supervised.

A Consumer Product Safety Commission report released in 2005 linked the growing popularity of inflatables with an increasing number of injuries at emergency rooms from 1997 to 2004.

Regulating moon bounces and amusement rides is left up to each state. While most have laws and inspectors overseeing mechanical rides at amusement parks and fairs, only a handful of states give the same care and attention to inflatables.

But some seem to think that regulations won’t make any difference if the safety guidelines are not followed. The responsibility rests on the operator, and just like with anything else, it needs to be someone who knows what they are doing.

To prevent a serious accident, next time your child plays in a moon bounce, make sure the operator has anchored the moon bounce properly to the ground and is observing the weight limits.

Sumter County Rollover Leaves Four Teenagers Injured

December 3, 2010 By

Four teenagers were hospitalized after they were involved in a single-car accident on Kolb Road in Sumter County. WIStv.com reports that the accident happened earlier this week at approximately 8:40 p.m after 17-year-old Jonathan Elmore flipped his vehicle. Elmore was ejected from the car along with three passengers, 16-year-old Christopher Ardis, 16-year-old Evan Davenport and 19-year-old Zachary Peavy.

Ardis has been released from the hospital; Elmore is listed in stable condition. Peavy and Davenport are both listed in serious condition. Unfortunately, none of the boys were wearing seatbelts.

Automobile accidents, commonly called car wrecks, occur on a daily basis in South Carolina and nationwide.

Even minor accidents can lead to severe injuries and high costs of repair.

As a result, automobile accident cases are not simple. Many people, including attorneys, regard auto accident cases as simple, run of the mill cases. That is rarely the case. For example, many of the worst drivers on the road are often not insured or do not carry enough insurance to pay for all the damage and injury caused in an accident.

What many people do not know is that your own insurance policy may provide protection if you are injured in a car accident that is not your fault. This may be true even if you do not have comprehensive or collision insurance. But it takes an experienced attorney familiar with insurance policies to help you analyze the legalese to make this determination. The South Carolina Automobile Accident Attorneys  at Strom Law Firm, LLC will provide you with a free, no-cost, no-obligation to discuss the facts of your case.

Even injuries that do not appear serious initially, may cause permanent suffering for life. Our South Carolina wreck attorneys and support staff are experienced in this regard and can help ensure you are compensated for all your injuries; current and future.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact the accident lawyers at Strom Law Firm, LLC for a free consultation to discuss your rights.

Club Car Recalls 5,000 Golf Cars

November 15, 2010 By

Club Car LLC of Augusta, Georgia has issued a recall for approximately 5,000 golf cars and hospitality, utility and transport vehicles due to a crash hazard. 

The recall involves Model 2010 DS golf cars and hospitality, utlity and transport vehichles. Click here to see the models and serial numbers of the recalled vehicles. The serial number is located on the right of the accelarator pedal.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the golf carts are crash hazards.  The break pedal on the  vehicles can crack and cause the driver to crash. While no injuries have been reported to date, Club Car has already received 2 reports of the brake pedals breaking.

 The vehicles were sold at authorized Club Car dealers nationwide from April 2010 to July 2010. If you have purchased one of these vehicles, contact Club Car at (800) 227-0739, ext. 3580 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST or go to www.clubcar.com, and the company will provide a free inspection and brake pedal replacement.

At the Strom Law Firm, LLC, our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services designed to protect your rights and your interests. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-cost case review.