As a parent, there is nothing worse than the death of a child. The loss of a child is a traumatic and tragic event, not even including the pain you experience afterward. Unfortunately, death is an unavoidable part of life. Children are vulnerable, and sometimes, the worst happens no matter how careful you or your children are.
It is tragic, but child maltreatment is a leading cause of child wrongful death in the United States. Maltreatment includes neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse. When the child is denied their basic needs, such as food and housing, these are examples of neglect. Shaking and hitting are examples of physical abuse. According to the 2014 report by the Administration for Children and Families, out of every 100,000 children, 1,580 die every year.
Another leading cause of child wrongful death is motor vehicle accidents and injuries. Car seats for infants, booster seats for toddlers, and seat belts for older children have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of children receiving fatal injuries in a motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that, in 2013, 638 children were killed and 127,250 were injured. These children were 12 years old and younger.
Poisoning is yet another leading cause of child wrongful death in the United States. There are many substances, such as cleaning chemicals, which are poisonous. These substances are even more harmful to children because children don’t weigh as much. It takes less of a poisonous substance to harm a child than it would an adult. Children are naturally curious as they grow, and parents or caregivers being distracted often grants children enough time to ingest a substance they shouldn’t.
It would be the hope that places where children play, such as playgrounds and swimming pools would be safe. Unfortunately, playgrounds and water-related accidents are both leading causes of child wrongful death in Colorado. Equipment such as swings and monkey bars or other climbing equipment are the most common causes of injury at playgrounds. In a swimming pool or another body of water, children can be unable to draw attention to themselves if drowning.
The loss of a child is overwhelming and all-consuming. In the event of a child wrongful death, contact the dedicated Colorado Springs legal team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. We will help through the painful process of the wrongful death of your child. Contact us today at (719) 475-2555.