This April marks the observance of National Youth Sports Safety Month, a pivotal time committed to elevating awareness around the prevention of sports injuries and physical trauma that young athletes face. This period of focus highlights the vital role that parents, coaches, and the athletes themselves play in ensuring safety during outdoor sports activities. The inspiration behind this important month stems from the personal journey of Massachusetts’s own Rita Glassman, mother of Jeffrey Glassman, who was moved by her daughter’s sports-related injury, and spearheaded this initiative to champion the cause of safety for children both on and off the playing fields.

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we understand the profound impact that sports can have on the lives of young individuals—not only in fostering physical health and teamwork but also in teaching valuable life lessons. However, the exhilaration of sports comes with its risks, which is why we are dedicated to advocating for the safety and well-being of young athletes. As we support National Youth Sports Safety Month, we encourage families, educators, and sports organizations to join us in this crucial endeavor. If your child has been affected by a sports-related injury, reach out to us. Our team is here to provide expert legal guidance and support to ensure the rights and health of your young athlete are protected.

The Origin of National Youth Sports Safety Month

As the story goes, Lady Justice, also known as Lady Liberty, was a Roman goddess who was recognized by the scales she held in one hand to balance the concepts of reason and justice, and a sword in the other hand to symbolize the swift power of justice. In addition, she is sometimes depicted wearing a blindfold to represent the idea that justice should be rendered without regard for a person’s wealth, status, or power.

If you have ever visited Charlestown, you have probably seen the Lady Justice sculpture that serves as a memorial to Massachusetts’ first courts established in 1630. However, women did not start working in the legal profession until 1869 and have played an essential role in the legal system ever since. They have helped create a place for others to grow and contribute in an environment that men have traditionally dominated.

History is filled with trailblazing female attorneys who shaped American history. For example, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Harvard Law School graduate, became the second female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, following in Sandra Day O’Connor’s footsteps. She has blazed the way for the female attorneys and judges of today. Another Harvard Law School graduate, Janet Reno became the first female Attorney General of the United States in 1993. And let us not forget Margaret Marshall, one of the most famous female lawyers from Massachusetts. Born in South Africa, Marshall completed her legal education at Yale Law School. She was appointed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 1999 and was the first female to serve in that capacity. She did so until 2010.

Geico has been ordered to pay $5.2 million in damages to a Missouri woman who allegedly contracted a sexually transmitted disease, known as HPV, in an insured car owned by her then-boyfriend.

On June 7, the Missouri Court of Appeals published an opinion siding with the woman, identified in court papers as M.O., who said she contracted HPV while having sex in the policyholder’s car in 2017.

HPV, short for human papillomavirus, is a common sexually transmitted disease with symptoms that include warts on or near the genitals. Although many people with HPV are asymptomatic, they can still infect others via sexual contact. While treatment can help people with HPV, there is no cure.

Suffering an injury can be a jarring experience. It can be downright overwhelming when it’s at the hands of a negligent person or entity. However, you must not panic. Instead, approach the situation carefully, as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.

It’s important to know what to do immediately following an accident. Here are five things you should  do following an injury.

1. Report the accident. It’s normal to want to put your injury out of your mind. However, you must record your experience and be as detailed as possible. This could be your testimony and give your case credibility.

An 18-year-old Bridgwater man has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection to a Massachusetts car accident that killed four of his friends.

It’s a stark reminder of the risks as we head into the fall holiday season and the return of winter weather. These are tragic cases that change families’ lives forever. There is no adequate compensation for the loss of a child. And too often in these cases we see multiple deaths involving young relatives or close family friends. Our Boston injury lawyers urge you to talk at length with your young drivers, and to set clear rules and consequences when it comes to driving behavior. 

The Associated Press reports the teenager has been charged with manslaughter by motor vehicle, operating under the influence and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation. Authorities say the young man was responsible for a May 19 crash in East Bridgewater that killed four teenagers from Stoughton High School. Prosecutors contend he lost control of his car while trying to pass another vehicle, causing it to roll over and strike a tree. Police also report finding marijuana at the scene.

Investigators are trying to determine cause of a gas explosion and series of fires that rocked parts of Massachusetts last week and are focusing on the safety procedures and preparedness of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

NBC News reports thousands were allowed to return to their Massachusetts homes over the weekend after a gas leak set dozens of homes on fire. At least one person was killed and 25 others were injured. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said some 8,600 gas meters and 15,000 power outages had been restored in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence. 

The National Transportation Safety Board was on scene to investigate, and determined the explosion had been caused by excessive pressure in the system. Fourteen pressure regulators in the area receive gas at 75 psi and dispense it at .5 psi. Low pressure can cause outages and so the system is designed to compensate for low pressure situations by releasing more gas. Investigators are looking at whether a sensor attached to a gas line that was capped and being taken out of service could have contributed to the over-pressure situation. The NTSB reports gas flowed into homes at significantly higher pressures than was necessary. Investigators are still working to determine the cause.

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A recent report by the USA Today Network found the United States is the most dangerous place in the developed world to give birth.

The investigation found 50,000 mothers are injured in child birth each year in the United States. More than 700 mothers die. About half the deaths and injuries could be prevented with basic safety practices that are routinely ignored, despite being the standard of care for a generation.

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