The search for fun at amusement parks often results in painful injuries -- especially in California, home to Disneyworld and many other attractions. In early July, three people were injured at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo when the metal gate on a tram carrying people from the parking lot sprang open. The accident caused a protruding leg injury to an adult and a stomach cut to a toddler, and both injuries required emergency treatment.

How prevalent are amusement park injuries in California and across the country? Getting a precise number is difficult because of a legal irregularity known as the "roller coaster loophole." By federal law, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is not permitted to regulate the safety of rides that are fixed at a certain site. The CPSC can regulate carnivals and other mobile attractions, as well as the manner ride equipment is manufactured. But the CPSC is not allowed to regulate the operation of the ride equipment at fixed-site parks.

Drowning is one of the most easily preventable deaths for children. Since Memorial Day weekend, over 200 children have drown or been injured at swimming pools and spas around the country according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The California Department of Developmental Services notes that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under five years of age.

As a result, the CPSC, working with Safe Kids USA and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, has launched the "Pool Safely" campaign to educate kids and parents on ways to stay safe around water. The goal of the program, according to Inez M. Tenenbaum, Chairman of the CPSC, is to "teach parents and children simple water safety steps so that everyone will pool safely this summer."

Caring for an infant is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but parents are also faced with a multitude of safety concerns in caring for their babies. Car seat issues, lead paint, allergies, vaccinations and defective or dangerous toys are just a few of the concerns parents of small children face.

A crib, where a baby sleeps and spends much of his or her time, should be of minimal concern to parents, but in the past five years, 9 million drop-side cribs have been recalled. The latest recall was announced in June 2010.

With summer in full bloom, motorists are streaming to the nation's highways for trips to the lake, beach, cabin and other vacation destinations. Before embarking on a trip that could take from several hours to several days, however, be cautious and make sure that you, your passengers and your vehicle are well prepared.

Conduct a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle to check for proper tire inflation, worn treads, a working spare tire, operating headlights and taillights, and fluid levels. With overloaded vehicles and summer heat, worn treads or underinflated tires can result in accidents. Take along an emergency roadside kit that contains water, first-aid equipment and packaged food.

With a budget crisis of monumental proportions in California and an electorate and state assembly unwilling to consider significant tax increases, innovative means of addressing the budget deficit are in high demand. One innovation that the state legislature is considering is the use of electronic license plates that flash advertisements when a vehicle is stopped for more than 4 seconds.

Users of the electronic plates would receive a gas credit of $12 per month. In San Diego, there are already thousands of drivers who display ads on their vehicles in exchange for the gas credit, and more are apparently signing on each month.

Things change fast in the area of personal injury law. "Tort reform" may have a great impact on the outcome of your injury claim. Every year, state legislatures and judges make decisions that significantly impact the way personal injury and wrongful death cases are prepared for and presented in court.

At the Law Office of John Garvey, III, I know how important it is to stay current with legal issues that may affect my clients. I stay up to date on legal developments that will affect the strategies I use to help protect your rights.

I also know that keeping you informed about the legal process will help you make better decisions about your own case. This blog page is intended to serve as a forum for discussing case law and relevant court decisions in the legal areas of motor vehicles and construction accident claims. Periodically, I will update the information and blog topics, so please return often to see my most current posts and comments.

My San Jose law firm has always placed an emphasis on personalized attention and responsiveness to my clients' concerns. Your input means a lot to me and I take your comments seriously. I invite your feedback about this and future blog posts on this page. Thank you for visiting. Call me at 408-293 -7777 or contact me by e-mail to discuss your specific personal injury or wrongful death matter today.