On Monday we wrote about the terrible tragedy in Sacramento where a truck collided with a United Cerebral Palsy bus carrying seven adults with cerebral palsy. One of them died (along with the truck driver and an assistant on the bus), and the rest required treatment for their injuries. Passengers were treated for many injuries, including head trauma, a broken lower back, a broken arm, broken extremities, abrasions and contusions.
Considering that people with cerebral palsy have delicate physical conditions, the fact that most of them survived is remarkable. UCP spokesperson Steve Horton said that the organization has always used buses equipped with plenty of seatbelts and wheelchair restraints. If you are responsible for someone with cerebral palsy, here are some things to keep in mind when searching for proper seat restraints.
- Adherence to law. Federal law requires that all special needs car seats adhere to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations (FMVSS) section 213 concerning child restraint systems. Make sure your seat restraints meet this regulation.
- LATCH compliant vehicles. In 2001, Congress passed a federal law requiring that every new car comply with LATCH standards. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, and it is a must for any vehicle transporting children with cerebral palsy. LATCH-equipped vehicles contain extra hooks and straps for increased safety.
- Extra accommodations. If your child has trouble holding his or her head upright, consider a car seat with extra head or neck support. If you worry about your child unbuckling the seatbelt while in transit, attach a buckle guard that blocks the release button.
Finding the right car seat is one of many unique challenges that people with cerebral palsy face every day. If you believe that medical negligence lead to your child’s cerebral palsy, please call us at 1-800-460-0606 and tell us your story. We can help you choose the best course of action.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – birth trauma attorneys
