The modern world is a hectic place, and new demands on our time and energy crop up every day. In many families, both parents work in order to make ends meet and, for this reason, day care services have remained a vital part of modern family life. While not every family has a need of such assistance, it is an exceptional boon to those with young children in need of watching.

Entering into an arrangement for day care is a sign of exceptional trust in the people running the establishment and watching your children. As a result, it is something that is taken very seriously especially by parents. Naturally, breaches of that trust cause immense fear and frustration in parents and are always met with alarm. Such is the case of Rebecca Torres, who left her 18-month-old son at the Tutor Time day care facility in Austin, Texas. Torres' son apparently found a hole in the back fence and slipped through unnoticed by his caregivers. Luckily, two passersby found him and returned him to the center unharmed, but Mrs. Torres was livid all the same. She has called for the center to be shut down, and is hoping to get in touch with the two who apparently rescued her son.

State officials have the authority to close down centers that do not meet with the state's strict compliance regulations. In particular, they may close any institution if they feel that allowing it to continue to operate would put children at risk. In this case, however, the spokesperson for the Division of Childcare Licensing says that closure is unwarranted, though they have not provided details for their reasoning. Mrs. Torres finds this to be unacceptable and demands an explanation for the Division's conclusion.

It is true that nothing serious happened to the young Torres, as he was returned from his venture into the wider world unhurt. However, whenever any child so young manages to go unsupervised for any length of time or, more importantly, removes himself or herself from the presence of those who are specifically supposed to be watching that child, there is an element of risk that parents justifiably find unacceptable. Mrs. Torres at least deserves an explanation for the Division's decision.

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The role of the government in regulatory matters is a subject that causes many disputes. On the one hand, no one wants large businesses to be free to pour huge amounts of chemical waste into the groundwater supply. On the other, government regulation has stifled many organizations out of overzealousness.  It is clear there is a role for the government in protecting its citizens from criminal actions, but the question becomes how far that role extends.

One case that illustrates this conflict concerns the recent decision by the Connecticut Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Basically a hearing forum for important concerns in the chiropractic industry, this board exists to discuss and evaluate relevant information in their field. They serve a regulatory function in the sense that they review articles and issue explanations when warranted.

In this case, the Connecticut legislature received information about the possibility that a certain chiropractic neck procedure could potentially cause a stroke. Those bringing the case acknowledge that the risk is remote enough that the procedure should still be allowed, but prevalent enough to require an informed consent warning to the patients. The legislature claimed this didn't require their direct attention, and passed it off to the Board of Examiners, who rejected the call for a warning label.

Stroke victims who supported the measure are upset with the decision, and are vowing to take it back to the legislature. They claim the board relied on too few studies and isn't acting in the interests of the consumer. On the other hand, the board is made almost entirely of registered chiropractors, who it can be argued, are likely quite familiar with their field of expertise. The question of bias and experience is therefore raised alongside the issue of regulation.

There are not always easy answers. Some people feel the need for more government control; others desire a more common-sense approach to society's needs. The case will continue to illustrate this matter in the realm of small-risk behaviors as it returns to the legislature.

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A Louisiana man has been convicted of a second offense DWI charge following an accident that involved his boat and a jet skier.

On March 17, Daniel S. Pendl was operating his boat in Henderson Bay when he struck someone riding a jet ski. Agents were already in the area, and they immediately proceeded to the accident site. The officers found that Pendl's collision had seriously injured the jet ski operator, and the man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

When questioned about the accident, Pendl displayed signs the officers interpreted as consistent with alcohol intoxication and tried to administer field sobriety tests and chemical analysis, but Pendl refused all forms of testing. Following this, he was taken to the St. Martin Parish jail for holding. Records indicate he had previously been arrested on suspicion of intoxication and reckless operation of a watercraft in August of 2008.

Pendl pled no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 48 hours incarceration, two years of supervised probation, extensive community service obligations, and a nearly $1,000 fine. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay for and complete a driver improvement course along with a victim impact meeting for DWI offenses.

Often, the word "driving" in the term "driving while intoxicated" brings to mind images of roadway wreckage and the associated consequences; however, there are vehicles on the water as well—on lakes, on rivers, and on the seas. Just as with automobiles, many of these vehicles can travel distances very quickly, and alcohol impairs the human ability to operate them just as much as it does with cars.

Indeed, the danger on water can actually be greater than it is on a roadway because of the associated risks of being involved in an accident that could lead to drowning or being stranded far from shore. The victim in the case above was fortunate that agents were nearby and that he was able to have his injuries treated quickly. Large and seemingly unconfined open waters are indeed relaxing, but they are not a place for reckless behavior.

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The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious youth programs. The very name Boy Scout conjures concepts of someone who is honest, conscientious, and responsible. The name is associated with trustworthiness and youth, but new evidence could raise doubts about the accuracy of that association.

Recently, a 37-year-old Oregon man brought a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America, claiming that he had been sexually molested by Assistant Scoutmaster Tim Dykes in the 1980s.

There have been similar lawsuits in the past, but this is the first time that a mysterious set of records the Scouts call the “perversion files” will be made part of the investigation. The records total 1123 files on adults considered a potential sexual danger to scouts. The files are part of a larger series of records listing men unfit to lead scout troops for various reasons, including sexual orientation, criminal records or religious convictions.

The perversion files make up the largest portion of the records, amounting to more than half. The scout leadership argues that the files were simply a tool to ensure the safety of children who had been placed in their care and to keep suspected individuals from moving to different cities and establishing themselves in new scout troops.

The plaintiff's counsel argues that other details cast doubt on this suggestion. A 1972 memo urged scout leadership to keep such matters quiet, lest “misunderstandings” arise. Current Scout executive Nate Marshall has admitted that the scouts have no formal system for dealing with sexual abuse, either discovered by a leader or brought to their attention by a scout or parent.

Similarly, Bishop Gordon McEwen of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints claims that leaders were never given formal training for how to cope with such an event. McEwen, a scout troop leader for members of his church, is the individual who finally confronted Tim Dykes, which lead to Dyke’s confession.

This is the first time this sensitive set of records has been admitted into a court case. It is expected that it will strengthen the plaintiff's argument, although the Boy Scouts leadership argues that it will only unfairly tarnish the image of the century-long tradition of American Scouting.

Related pages:  Las Vegas Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Product recalls and warnings are familiar parts of our lives. When children's toys contain lead, or when strollers can conceivably remove fingers if handled improperly, there is a certain expectation that either manufacturers or the government will notify the public of the danger and possibly suggest returning the product in question. Some notifications involve legitimate concerns while others don't seem necessary, such as improper packaging or labeling. Whether necessary or not, the constant stream of recalls amid broad media coverage is jading people. Too much exposure to anything can eventually cause boredom, disinterest, and a general numbness. With product recall after product recall issued recently, for everything from cars to cribs and beyond, it’s not surprising that the public is increasingly cynical about consumer protection laws.

One issue is, not whether the government should be involved in consumer safety regulation, but the exact nature of its role and how it executes that role.

This issue, of course, creates its own set of questions: Is the government concerned with the overall number of product-related notifications? Does the government have an idea of how many is too many? Do the parts of the government in charge of consumer product regulation and notification need more regulation themselves? Such as a panel to determine whether recalls are justified? Is moving notification responsibility from the market side to the government the way to greater safety and better responses by the public?

The point here isn’t to suggest our current regulatory processes, requirements, or expectations are inadequate. Instead, it can be important to consider—and question—whether consumer safety, as well as how the public is notified of product defects and recalls, is receiving the proper attention.

Do you think there are too many recalls?  Not enough?  Has safety labeling gone so far as to make you ignore most such labels?  What do you think the right answer is?

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Tractor-trailers are incredibly powerful vehicles, dwarfing cars on the road to the point that when there’s an accident that involves both, the car is always more severely damaged. Factor in the added weight and potential hazard of the cargo semi trucks haul, and just about any accident becomes a near perfect recipe for catastrophe. Occasionally, though, there is that kind of wreck that defies rationality, where everyone thankfully comes out virtually unharmed.

On Wednesday, a diesel fuel tanker hauling multiple tanks crashed off the side of the road near Roy, Utah. One tank passed over the median and burst into flames, the other rolled and leaked fuel all over I-15. But not one fatality or serious injury was reported as a result. The only person to be treated at all was the tanker’s driver, who suffered minor injuries in the crash.

The secondary damage was extensive, however. The highway remained closed and then only reduced traffic was allowed to pass until the late afternoon, which impacted lives and jobs throughout the area. Undoubtedly, it was a terrifying experience for anyone who happened to see it.

The Utah Highway Patrol states that the cause of the wreck is still under investigation. The driver asserts that he simply fell asleep at the wheel, claiming fatigue. The police dispute this reason, saying there is strong evidence that he was under the influence of either prescription or illicit drugs. The UHP said DUI charges are being filed in the matter.

To reiterate the amazing details of this case: A man lost control of his tanker tractor-trailer having fallen asleep either as a result of fatigue or possibly due to drug use. The tanker crashed, spilling fuel everywhere and starting an enormously dangerous fire on a well-traveled highway, and yet no one was seriously injured. It borders on miraculous that no one was hurt or killed. Be that as it may, this case underscores the danger these massive vehicles can present. Yes, they serve a purpose in keeping commerce and business functioning, yet there is great potential for injury and even death when those who operate them don't take proper care.

Should it be found that the driver was indeed intoxicated, drivers would be well served if the courts threw the book at him as proper punishment and to make an example out of him to other truck drivers.

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The surgeon for Landra Reid, wife of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has reported that Mrs. Reid is recovering well after her surgery following a four-vehicle accident late last week. Since the surgery, Mrs. Reid appears to be recovering as she is handling her pain well and has been able to get out of bed.

Mrs. Reid was involved in the accident on Thursday around 1 p.m. She and her daughter were driving on I-95 when they had to brake and were struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. This created a chain of collisions that injured both Mrs. Reid and Lana, her daughter. Lana was released from the hospital after being treated for lacerations, but Mrs. Reid's neck had been broken and she required urgent surgery.

Mrs. Reid suffered numerous injuries to her head and neck from the impact. She broke vertebrae in her neck and lower back, and also broke her nose when her vehicle collided with the Jeep in front of her. The other people involved in secondary impacts were also taken to the hospital, but fortunately none of their injuries turned out to be life threatening.

This incident clearly shows one key disparity between tractor-trailers and other vehicles on the road. Mrs. Reid was driving a Honda Odyssey, a minivan. Admittedly not the most rugged vehicle, the minivan is still large enough that passengers in one might have a reasonable expectation of safety in a collision. Unfortunately, any such expectation is less reasonable when a collision involves a tractor-trailer. Semi trucks are such an order of magnitude more massive than the typical automobile that they can be incredibly dangerous and have lead to some of the worst accidents imaginable.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was one Allan Snader of Ohio. Snader has been charged with reckless driving. Further charges may be filed against him upon further investigation, but it does not appear Snader was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Thankfully, no one was killed in this incident, but neck and back injuries like those suffered by Mrs. Reid are certainly no laughing matter. A broken neck can easily be fatal, instantly ending someone's life. Senator and Mrs. Reid have four children and sixteen grandchildren. One moment of recklessness on Mr. Snader's part almost ended Mrs. Reid’s involvement in all those lives.

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This last Friday, the government issued a warning about a trendy new parenting accessory known as a baby sling. More than just a convenient way to carry a child, baby slings combine a hip, fashionable look with the ability to keep your child close while freeing your hands so you can go about your daily routine. However, as with many products involving children, it seems that baby slings have some hidden dangers parents should be aware of. Specifically, the government's warning is aimed at parents of children younger than four months, a vulnerable age for a child under most any circumstances.

Children placed in slings have been injured and even died, in some cases by suffocation. Where very young children are concerned, the fabric of the sling can inadvertently cover the child’s nose and mouth, preventing them from breathing. In other cases, particularly in slings designed to hang from around an adult’s neck, the child’s head can be forced forward, restricting the infant's airway. Either one of these occurrences can suffocate the child in as little as two minutes, and both of them prevent the child from crying out, leaving the parent to discover the problem, often too late. Other occurrences involve children too small for the slings and they fall out as the person wearing the sling moves. Falls from any height can be incredibly dangerous for a young child, and even falls that do not cause death can lead to painful, serious injuries.

Not every baby sling is a risk, of course. There are specific designs that cause the worst problems, such as the ones that cradle the baby in a c-shape near the parent’s belly. Others, however, are quite safe to use and don’t pose any suffocation risk. The governmental warning is not a prohibition or condemnation of baby slings as a concept, but a call for the industry to adopt stronger safety and testing standards for such products before they’re released for public use. Any death of a child is tragic, and such an event becomes even more so when it is realized that it was entirely preventable.

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Drunk driving is in many ways comparable to earthquakes that occur far from land at the bottom of the ocean. These earthquakes take place on the seafloor all the time and usually go unnoticed. Similarly, many people get behind the wheel drunk and find their way safely to their destinations without harming anyone. On the other hand, there are the earthquakes that send out massive tsunamis, causing indescribable devastation. The effects of accidents caused by drunk driving ripple out in much the same way as the waves from a powerful undersea quake. They end up reaching far beyond the original event, often leaving ruined lives and grieving survivors in the aftermath.  

Alcohol is suspected in two automobile crashes that occurred this past Saturday in Hawaii. Lives were lost, and survivors were left to pick up the pieces, wondering just why and how things happened like they did.

Irate over the recent loss of one of their classmates, students from Kealakehe High School organized spontaneous protests to express their anger. Their words and homemade signs are compelling, some claiming that getting behind the wheel when drunk and killing someone isn't accidental but is instead actually murder. Some are calling for stricter penalties in the state's drunk driving laws, which they claim are so lax that drunk driving is barely an illegal offense at all.

These are lives changed by drunk driving. Protests will eventually end, students will go on with their lives, and laws may or may not be modified depending on how the political process in Hawaii works. But the absence of friends and loved ones will never change. The injury that rippled outward as a result of any one of these fatalities will affect many individuals for years to come, even after many of the shocking details have been forgotten.

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Truck transport accounts for a major part of the shipping traffic in the United States.  Thousands of big rig vehicles haul millions of tons of goods ranging from construction materials to hazardous chemicals all over the interstate and highway networks of the country. When handled properly and legally, these vehicles are largely safe on the roads — for every accident we hear about, there are countless vehicles that have arrived safely that same day.  However, the massive size and power of these vehicles mean that when accidents do occur, they can be catastrophic.  A single big rig can take out a half-dozen other vehicles if it loses control, or can demolish buildings when it impacts them. With so much power and potential damage at stake, it is vitally important that the operators of these vehicles be held to account when they fail to observe the laws and restrictions necessary to maintain proper road safety.

Consider the February 19 case of trucker Charles Harford. Harford was operating a tractor-trailer near Davenport, N.Y., on that date.  He lost control of his vehicle and plowed into a house in Davenport Center. Rhonda Hitchcock was killed instantly by the impact.  Mercifully, she was asleep at the time.  Her daughter and grandson were both injured but were released from nearby hospitals in stable health.

It was found that Harford had been driving recklessly for the conditions of the road, not wearing a seatbelt, and changing lanes in an unsafe manner.  Additionally, among other offenses, it was found that the brakes of his vehicle were not properly adjusted. As a result of this tragic event, Harford has been issued six tickets, though the investigation is still ongoing.

Six tickets hardly seems an appropriate punishment in this case.  Someone died as a result of Harford's actions, whether intentionally or not, and two others were seriously hurt. The property damage will easily extend into the thousands of dollars, which doesn't begin to include the costs of medical bills and the emotional trauma of having lost a family member. The investigation is not yet complete, but it will be a frustrating day for victims' rights if its punishment goes no further than six uniform citations.

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