Seattle Injury Lawyer Blog

Study: Does cellphone use impact child brain development?

June 6, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

We frequently write about the causes and consequences associated with traumatic brain injuries. However, not all brain injuries occur as a result of a sudden impact. As cellphones become ubiquitous in numerous parts of the world, medical professionals, safety experts and the public generally are left wondering if these devices can harm the human brain.

Most recently, British researchers announced that they are launching the largest study that the world has ever seen on the subject of whether cellphone use can harm brain development in children. The research project that is currently being launched is called the Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP).

Until now, the majority of research focused on cellphone use and potential harm to the human brain has centered on adult brain cancer development. SCAMP aims to determine whether cognitive functions including attention span and memory are impacted by the use of cellphones and other wireless devices in childhood and adolescence.

Why consumers should be careful when buying sunscreen

May 30, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

In our last post, we discussed several ways that our readers can better ensure that they remain safe while having fun this summer. One key ingredient for a safe summer that we have yet to mention is sunscreen. Failure to liberally apply sunscreen when you are out of doors can lead to otherwise preventable burns and a heightened risk of developing skin cancer.

It is therefore important to have a bottle of sunscreen at the ready any time you venture out of doors for more than a few moments during the summer months. It is worth noting that harmful UV rays can even penetrate dense Washington cloud cover. However, not all sunscreens are created equal and not all sunscreens will properly protect you from these rays.

You may be asking, “If certain sunscreens are ineffective, why are they not recalled as defective products?” This is an excellent question. The short answer is that while the Food and Drug Administration does have regulations in place in regards to sunscreen manufacturing, these regulations are sparse and very loosely enforced.

Summer is almost here: Stay safe while having fun

May 23, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Memorial Day Weekend signals the unofficial beginning of summer in the U.S. You and your loved ones may be planning a party this weekend or you may be choosing to wait until later in the summer to host a fun gathering. In either event, it is important to keep a few tips in mind anytime you have guests over during the summer. Failure to do so could result in harm to you or your guests. And depending on the circumstance, your guests could potentially hold you liable for their harm under the theory of premises liability.

If you have a pool or will be setting up any sort of water-related fun for kids and kids at heart, it is important to take special care. Children all over America experience injuries even when they are being supervised at residential and public pools.

It is generally not idea to make your own slide or diving board, nor is it a good idea to “improvise” these devices as anyone harmed on your homemade slide or board could sue you for damages related to that harm. Instead, purchase a slide or board and make sure that it has not been recalled.

Exploring a link between genetics and predisposition to TBI

May 16, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

We frequently write about the causes of brain injury and the side effects that can result from such trauma. We have noted that moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) tend to be extraordinarily expensive to treat and that TBI-related consequences can affect an individual for the rest of his or her life. The subject of TBI tends to be sobering and frustrating as a result.

However, there is hope to be had for victims and their families when scientists and the medical community achieve advancements in their understanding of TBI. For example, when the public understands how TBI occur, concerned individuals can mitigate their risk of sustaining this kind of injury. In addition, when the community understands how to treat TBI more successfully, victims may benefit.

Most recently, the scientific community advanced its understanding of why some individuals sustain TBI while others do not. If two children get hit equally hard during a sports practice, why does one suffer injury while the other does not? The answer to this question may be found in the children’s genetics.

Why loose tire accident rates need to be tracked

May 9, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

We frequently write about the hazards associated with distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving and aggressive driving. However, these preventable hazards are not the only causes of accidents on American roads. Sometimes accidents are caused by poor weather conditions and by unsafe road conditions. And sometimes, car accidents are caused by debris, defective auto parts and loose auto parts that have essentially turned into debris.

Recently, a crash occurred on an East Coast highway because a loose tire bounced down the road and through the windshield of a bus. This kind of accident actually happens with relative frequency. However, no official statistics are kept in regards to loose tire accidents, so it is difficult to say just how common such incidents are.

If an agency was to compile this kind of data, it would be the National Safety Council (NSC) that would most likely be tasked with such a collection. However, the NSC does not currently track loose tire accidents. This is problematic because safety data tends to inform resource allocation and government attention in regards to any specific kind of hazard. Until loose tire accidents are tracked, it will likely be difficult for the NSC and/or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to obtain financial resources to educate the public on this issue and to prevent these kinds of accidents.

Can a typeface change improve distracted driving hazards?

May 5, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

We have written previously about the hazards of distracted driving. We have also written about various efforts within the tech industry, the automobile manufacturing industry, the government and safety organizations to curtail this practice. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that unless lawmakers completely outlaw interaction with any kind of personal electronic device and dashboard technology while driving that motorists will continue to engage in distracted driving behaviors. And it is possible that they will do so even if this behavior is completely outlawed.

As a result, many businesses and organizations are trying to figure out numerous ways to minimize the distracting nature of various devices. The logic behind this innovation is that some motorists may choose to interact with personal electronic devices, dashboard technology and other distracting technology no matter what. But if innovations can somehow lead distracted drivers to become less distracted, some lives may be spared as a result.

Most recently, some designers have been questioning whether a relatively simplistic change to dashboard technology may help to reduce the distracting nature of these interactive devices. The longer that motorists keep their eyes on a device and off the road, the more they risk accidents. If the typefaces used on these devices are more easily readable, perhaps motorists will be able to get their eyes back on the road more quickly.

Parents of TBI victims: Please take note

April 28, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

We frequently write about the causes of head trauma. Many traumatic brain injury patients sustain their injuries during falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports collisions and during the birthing process. But no matter how an infant, child or teen sustains a TBI, it is important for parents to understand that this injury may cause consequences well into the future.

Not only can TBI result in learning difficulties and pain, a new study indicates that these injuries place young people at an elevated risk of being bullied and at an elevated risk of attempting suicide during their teen years. Young people who have suffered concussions and more traumatic injuries are both at heightened risk for these frightening scenarios.

The study’s lead author is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. She has concluded that TBI victims are also more likely to be bullies themselves during their adolescence and are generally at an elevated risk of engaging in high-risk behaviors when compared with their non-injured peers. They are also more likely to become runaways and to be prescribed anti-depressant medication.

Report discusses new infant brain injury prevention guidelines

April 20, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

In 2003, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics released its latest set of guidelines on neonatal encephalopathy. These guidelines concerning newborn brain injuries and disorders focused heavily on determining whether an injured infant suffered any lack of oxygen during the birthing process. Those guidelines had not been updated until earlier this month.

The new guidelines instruct physicians to examine all possible factors and conditions that may have contributed to the development of an infant’s brain injury. The collaborative efforts between these two organizations may lead physicians to better understand infant brain injury and to ultimately prevent infant brain injury in the future.

The chair of the task force that created these new guidelines recently explained that, “Although a significant portion of newborn brain injuries are due to problems around the time of labor and delivery, some cases occur before the pregnant patient even arrives at the hospital and the labor floor.” If physicians continue to focus on oxygen-deprivation issues alone, they may miss valuable information about what causes infant brain injury and how to prevent it.

How can events like the recent G.M. recall scandal be prevented?

April 13, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

The United States is in the midst of yet another auto recall crisis; one which could prove to be larger and more damaging than the Toyota “sudden acceleration” scandal. This one involves General Motors and its decision to recall approximately 2.6 million vehicles due to a faulty ignition switch.

Issued within the past two months, the recall was anything but timely. There is evidence to suggest that top G.M. officials first learned of the problem in the early 2000s but apparently decided not to warn the public or pay for replacement switches – each of which would have cost just 90 cents. The result has been dozens of serious car accidents responsible for at least 13 deaths.

Who, exactly, should be held responsible? And how can we make sure this type of negligence or intentional misconduct is not allowed to happen again? Most people would say that a company’s top officials should take on these responsibilities and liabilities. Sadly, this is not how most of corporate America seems to work.

Think about installing window guards if you have kids

April 6, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Spring is finally here. As a result, the weather is warming significantly. However, it is not yet warm enough for most people to justify turning on their air conditioning units. During this time of year, most of us open our windows when our homes become uncomfortably warm. In springtime, few simple pleasures are as nice as a cool breeze blowing through the house.

However, it is important for parents of small children to take certain precautions before opening your home windows this season. Windows are a perfect illustration of the fact that not all dangerous products are those that are subject to recall. Certainly, if a particular model of window was uniquely dangerous or defective it would be recalled. However, most windows are dangerous simply because children can fall out of them without warning.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, windows are among the top five everyday home hazards currently affecting American families. Young children who are curious about the world around them approach windows and often attempt to climb out of them simply because they can.