Jul 15, 2014 | Child Accidents, Premises Liability, Uncategorized
Child Accidents at Summer Camp 
As children, we all enjoyed going off to summer camps. We would make new friends and learn new things. Parents would enjoy a little time away from the kids and trust that all will be well for a few days or a week. Camp programs today are fairly expensive, and you expect your children to be well cared for. However, there are still so many ways for small kids to get hurt if not properly supervised or if the camp equipment is not well maintained. This is where a moment of inattention or neglect can result in a serious child injury or even worse. Playgrounds must be set up correctly when first installed and then regularly inspected for wear and loose parts. Mulch underneath swings or other areas where children will be playing must be replenished and spread evenly to prevent injury from expected falls. To be safe, the camp employees must be on constant watch for unsafe conditions or dangerous play. If they do not do their job properly, child injury can occur. Camp counselors and their assistants must also know basic first aid and how to properly care for and treat injuries. And, if they see something getting out of hand, they must act quickly to prevent harm. Certainly, we want everyone to have a great summer and have those childhood experiences that will last a lifetime. But above all, we want everyone to be careful and head back home safe and sound to their parents and friends. Don’t take safety for granted. It is up to everyone to stay aware and watch out for each other.
Children Are Treated Differently
The law says children are more vulnerable, and thus, are treated differently than adults. A young child cannot be contributorily negligent (NC) or comparatively negligent (SC). Consequently, their injuries can still be compensable even if they engage in activities that might be considered unsafe. After all, “kids will be kids.” This is not an excuse, but rather, a warning to those persons charged with their care. This is precisely why we have to watch out for their safety more than others, because “kids will be kids.” If a camp is willing to take your money, they should be held accountable if they don’t also take care of your children.
Waivers of Liability
One last thing about summer camps. Private companies who operate camps routinely present parents with extensive “waivers of liability” forms which purport to hold themselves harmless from lawsuits if their children are injured while away. In many cases, these forms are not worth the paper they are written on. Such waivers cannot absolve liability where equipment is not maintained, where there are insufficient or insufficiently trained staff, or activities are too dangerous to involve children in the first place. And as we discussed above, children cannot legally enter into such contracts and are not held to the same legal standard in negligence claims for child injury cases. I would caution parents about sending their children to such camps if presented with such a waiver. All we really want is for the camp to take care of our kids and focus on having a great summer.
Be Safe. Get Home.
Feb 20, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Premises Liability, Uncategorized
A Rock Hill man became bored and went to a college class. Rock Hill Police stated that the man showed up to a class at York Technical College on Monday drunk.
According to a police report, the man was not a student at the school. The report stated the man entered a class and was told to leave by a teacher, which he refused to do. An officer arrived and spoke with the man and the officer noticed he smelled like alcohol, had slurred speech, and difficulty answering simple questions.
The man said he drove to the school after drinking that morning, but stated he couldn’t remember why he drove to the school. The man was arrested for public intoxication and was released Monday on a $250 bond.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a serious crime, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our criminal attorneys about any criminal charges. Our criminal attorneys handle many types of criminal cases in North and South Carolina and want to help you with your criminal charges. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Feb 17, 2013 | Burglary/Robbery/Larceny, Criminal Defense, Felony Possession of a Firearm, Premises Liability, Uncategorized
A man simply wasn’t going to go down easily. The man who was wanted for armed robbery was arrested by SWAT personnel with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police department after he barricaded himself in his house.
Authorities had warrants out for arrest against the man in connection with armed robbery. On Monday Morning, CMPD department personnel proceeded to execute the arrest warrant against the man at his residence.
The officers realized that the man had barricaded the entries to the residence, locking himself inside. Without having proper siege equipment, officers could not breach the blockade. SWAT personnel were called and apprehended the man without incident. He was being questioned by police at headquarters.
Contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our criminal attorneys. Our criminal attorneys handle many types of criminal cases in North and South Carolina. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Feb 12, 2013 | Burglary/Robbery/Larceny, Criminal Defense, Premises Liability, Uncategorized
Authorities are charging a person with theft after Rock Hill police stated the person stole over $25,000 in copper from the home.
The homeowner stated to police that on Friday she was without power and her electric meter had not been working. The homeowner said she found a hole in the wall on the second floor of her house, which police determined was where the burglar took the copper from in wires.
Police are suspecting the person entered through the storage area of the residence, which happened to be for sale at the time. A bedroom at the home had also been ransacked, but nothing had been taken, according to a report.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a serious crime, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our criminal attorneys about any criminal charges. Our criminal attorneys handle many types of criminal cases in North and South Carolina and want to help you with your criminal charges. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Feb 12, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Premises Liability, Uncategorized
Two men have been accused of conducting a dog fighting operation that is according to authorities one of the biggest in Charlotte, NC.
According to police, they received information from an informant that alerted them to a possible fighting arena at a residence in the 7800 block of Carelock Circle in East Charlotte Friday. While waiting to obtain a search warrant from a judge, officers used an aerial unit to secure the premises from above.
When officers on ground arrived on scene, the officers stated they saw several dogs tied with chains and with visible scars and flesh markings. The officers removed the dogs and they are now under care with Animal Control in West Charlotte.
One man charged has stated he only keeps the dogs around as pets. The man said that he has family members who keep the dogs as pets. According to a police report, authorities said they found certain items such as sticks to pry dog mouths open and dog vitamins and supplements. The man said he uses those vitamins to keep the dogs healthy and would be no different than himself taking vitamins to enhance energy and we
The man states he wants to clear his name and thinks that authorities may be rushing to conclusions because he enjoys breeding pit bulls. Neighbors stated they always heard dogs barking, but never assumed their neighbors were engaging in criminal activity. The men are due back for another court appearance on March 1.ll-being.
Any serious criminal charge can bring hardship into the defendant’s life. Contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our criminal attorneys. Our criminal attorneys handle many types of criminal cases in North and South Carolina. Our criminal attorneys understand the difficulties facing criminal defendants and want to help you or someone you might know with his/her criminal case. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Feb 12, 2013 | Burglary/Robbery/Larceny, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Felony Drug Possession, Premises Liability, Uncategorized
Authorities with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have taken a man into custody they say was involved in a home invasion.
According to a report, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of Skyland Avenue a little before 1 a.m. Thursday. A man had called 911 and stated he witnessed a man removing a window screen on a neighbor’s home. When police arrived at the scene, the found a window shattered with a cinderblock next to the broken glass in the yard. Officers at the front door then observed someone walking inside the home.
Officers outside then called the homeowner of the residence who stated he was not at home at that time. The homeowner came home a short time after, but not before the officers found a man hiding behind his couch. The man was taken into custody and is being charged with breaking and entering, larceny, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.
Any burglary or drug charge can bring many difficulties in an individual’s life. Contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our criminal attorneys. Our criminal attorneys handle many types of criminal cases in North and South Carolina, including criminal drug and burglary cases. Our criminal attorneys also understand the hardships facing criminal defendants that come with any criminal charges. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
