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Summer Camp Injury Claims In Oregon And Washington

August 14th, 2008

Summer camps and children go together but injuries do happen and while in most cases they are not actionable. Except in cases involving negligence and more so particularly when the camp directors and teachers have received prior notice of a substandard condition and fail to correct the conditions before a child is hurt.

Its important to form a legal perspective to compare the camps records and in particular whether the camp was cited by county health officials and also the state on past infractions. With any investigation into camp injury negligence a good comparison should be made with past infractions and citations to the at bar situation involving the camp attendee.

Schools Out In Oregon And Washington State

June 16th, 2008

With school ending, and the weather getting better, children will be out more and sometimes with no or little supervision. While driving, make sure you are looking out for skateboards, bicycles, balls and children. When driving down main streets especially look out for teenagers that might not care or know the law. They can be under the idea that a car will stop for them, no matter where they try and cross the street.
While driving down residential streets, be on the look out for basketball hoops, hide and seek and other summer games children play.
Under the 17.44.010 Unlawful Acts Enumerated law in Oregon:

(Amended by Ordinance Nos. 140190, 151081, 175205 and 178290, effective July 1, 2004.)

A. It is unlawful for any person to obstruct or cause to be obstructed any roadway, curb or sidewalk by leaving or placing, to remain longer than 2 hours any object, material or article which may prevent free passage over any part of such street or sidewalk area. This Section does not authorize any action in violation of any other Title or regulation.

B. It is unlawful for any person to erect or cause to be erected any structure in, over or upon any dedicated street area, except that the City Engineer may, if the distance between property line and back of existing or future sidewalk is greater than 1 foot, and if in his opinion circumstances warrant, grant permission for walls not exceeding a total of 3 feet in height, fences and steps, that otherwise comply with the Code of the City, to be constructed 1 foot back of the sidewalk. Also, on buildings whose front is located on the property line, the City Engineer may allow decorative facings, certain types of utility meters, utility valves, and other utility appurtenances, to extend into the street area an amount he determines will not interfere with the public use of said street, but not exceeding 1 foot. The City Engineer, upon determining a public need for areas occupied by such walls, fences, steps, facings, or utility meter valves and other appurtenances, may revoke said permission and the property owner or utility will be required to remove them from the street area.

C. It is unlawful for any person to erect or cause to be erected any sign in, over, or upon any public right-of-way. For the purposes of this section, sign shall be defined as provided in Title 32.

D. This section shall not apply to:

1. Any use, sign, or structure for which a permit has been issued or which is erected under authority of any Title;

2. Motor vehicles lawfully parked pursuant to City Regulations;

3. Barricades placed by or with the approval of the City Engineer or the Traffic Engineer; nor

4. Temporary closures and occupancies pursuant to this Chapter.

http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?a=20895&c=28870

Hopefully parents are aware that their children should be under supervision and understand the laws of pedestrians and the above law. If you are in a car accident with a pedestrian, know your rights. Contact an attorney that knows the law.

Child Car Seat Law In Oregon

January 17th, 2008

Each year, in the state of Oregon, a child is injured while restrained in a car seat. This could be in a crash whether a rear ender or a T-bone intersection crash. Oregon state law provides that all minor children ride in a federally approved car seat until they are at least 4 years old and weigh a minimum of 40 pounds. Smaller infants must ride in rear-facing car seats until the minor infant reaches both one year and 20 pounds.

Starting July 1, 2007 Oregon law requires further that parents or the driver of the car ensure that the child uses a booster seat until they are 4’9” tall unless they are at least 8 years old. What’s the rule above front seat driving for kids?: Oregon law strongly recommends that minors under 12 ride in the back seat. We all know that all passengers and drivers must wear seat belts. As with any injury to a child safety responsibility lies with the driver to ensure the child restraint system is appropriate and lawful whether the driver knew it or not.