Posts by Breakstone, White & Gluck
Breakstone, White & Gluck Interviewed for Boston Globe Article: “What to Do If Your Dog Bites Someone”
The Boston Globe recently interviewed Attorney David W. White for an article called, “What to do if your dog bites someone.” Attorney White joined veterinarians, dog trainers and Boston animal control in explaining the legal steps following a dog bite in Massachusetts.
Breakstone, White & Gluck has decades of experience representing children and others who have been bitten and attacked by dogs. We understand that dog bites are painful, emotional and frightening for families. If you or a loved one have been injured, it is important to learn your rights. Following a dog bite, children may require multiple surgeries to recover and the emotional trauma can be crippling for their entire family. Find answers to common questions about dog bites in Massachusetts on our website. For a free legal consultation, contact Breakstone, White & Gluck at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676. You can also send us a message using our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates Bicycle Helmets to Children at Tierney Learning Center for the 4th Year
If summer must end, we like to squeeze in some last fun at the Tierney Learning Center’s Back to School BBQ. The Tierney Learning Center is a resource for many in South Boston, working to help low-income families achieve their goals for education, finances and health and well being. And it hosts one of the best summer BBQs in Boston, with good food, games, music and the opportunity to see friends.
For the fourth year, Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to donate bicycle helmets for the children and teens as part of our Project KidSafe campaign. Attorney David W. White fit the helmets and as you can see, he had a great time. It was nice to spend time with the kids before they head back to school. We have met some of the families at past events, so it was a pleasure to see them again.
Boston Law Firm of Breakstone, White & Gluck Helping Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Protect Children from Head Injuries This Summer
Breakstone, White & Gluck is proud to support Massachusetts Safe Routes to School each year. For the fourth year, Breakstone, White & Gluck donated 400 bicycle helmets from our Project KidSafe campaign and Massachusetts Safe Routes to School distributed the helmets to children who needed one and participated in their bicycle safety training. This is our largest donation each year and one we are proud to make. From Boston to Western Massachusetts, Massachusetts Safe Routes teaches elementary and middle school students skills to walk and bike to school safely. The bicycle safety training focuses on the fundamentals of traffic laws, the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet and for many, how to balance on their first ride. The program is also well known for its bike rodeos, a fun way for students to practice their new-found skills.
Massachusetts Safe Routes offers programming in over 800 schools in 200+ communities in Massachusetts. The staff tells us our Project KidSafe helmets went to children at these events:
Holyoke Roll n’ Stroll
Newburyport Bike Rode
Lawrence SALSA, Ciclovia
Longmeadow Bike Rodeo
Northeastern University Police Bike Rodeo-Boston
Stoughton Bike Rodeo
BCYF Mattahunt-Super Teens-Boston
Lawrence Learns Block Party
Pittsfield’s Mayor’s Fitness Challenge Kickoff
Springfield Complete Streets Celebration
Milford Fun and Fuel Summer Meals Program
National Night Out-North Adams
Longmeadow’s Bike Rodeo
Groveland’s Bike Rodeo
Young cyclists at the Lawrence Ciclovia (August 2018). Massachusetts Safe Routes to School distributed free bicycle helmets from Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign to prevent head injuries. Courtesy Photo: Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Facebook page.
Lawrence Ciclovia (August 2018). Massachusetts Safe Routes to School distributed free bicycle helmets from Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign to prevent head injuries. Courtesy Photo: Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Facebook page.
Massachusetts Safe Routes to School distributed free bicycle helmets from Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign at Boston Center for Youth & Families Mattahunt Super Teens. Courtesy Photo: Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Facebook page.
In addition to donating bicycle helmets, Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to participate in a few Safe Routes events in 2018. First, Attorney Marc L. Breakstone spoke to students at Peirce Elementary School in Arlington about the importance of wearing bicycle helmets, then helped hand the helmets out. Meanwhile, Attorney David W. White attended the annual Safe Routes to School Awards at the Massachusetts State House. The event recognizes students, schools and teachers who are going above and beyond in the work of protecting children on bikes and when walking to school.
Launched in 2000, Massachusetts Safe Routes to School was one of two pilot programs launched in the U.S. The goal was to help children learn the skills they needed to walk and bike to school safely. Today, the program is a federally-funded initiative managed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and has grown by leaps and bounds to meet the needs of communities and schools which want to keep kids safe.
We are very proud of our partnership with Massachusetts Safe Routes because the programming is effective and provides encouragement to schools and communities. Children remember what they learn and remember it for years to come. As they move through the curriculum, students get valuable practice time at community bike rodeos (which, in our experience, are a lot of fun). Whether it’s walking or biking, the program works best when children, teachers and communities are all involved in the safety lessons. One of the first lessons is that walking and biking safely are lifelong skills.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck and Our Project KidSafe Campaign
The Project KidSafe campaign was founded by the Boston personal injury law firm of Breakstone, White & Gluck. Through our Project KidSafe campaign, our attorneys have donated over 20,000 bicycle helmets to children across Massachusetts. Most of the donations are in the Boston area and eastern Massachusetts. All our donations are made through programs, such as Massachusetts Safe Routes, and community partners which distribute the helmets to children one at a time, as part of educational programming or at community events.
How did we get started? In 2013, the firm’s partners – Marc L. Breakstone, David W. White and Ronald E. Gluck – set out to protect children and families on bikes from head injuries. The attorneys have long represented those who have been injured by head injuries on bikes and in car accidents, as a result of someone else’s negligence. These are devastating injuries which can change lives. Responsibility falls with drivers not to speed or operate recklessly, but cyclists must also obey traffic laws and we urge riders of all ages to wear helmets. This is an key step to protect yourself and limit the risk of head injuries should you ever fall on your bike or be injured in a bicycle crash. Please wear your helmet every time you ride, no matter how short the trip.
Lexington Minuteman: Attorney Marc L. Breakstone Promotes Safe Cycling
Read an announcement about Attorney Marc L. Breakstone and our Project KidSafe campaign in the Lexington Minuteman. Attorney Breakstone and our bicycle helmet donations in Arlington and Lexington are mentioned.
Quincy Police Department and Breakstone, White & Gluck Giveaway Free Bicycle Helmets at Quincy DARE Camp and Norfolk DA’s Basketball Camp
Quincy Police Officer Hartnett fits bicycle helmets at the city’s DARE camp. Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign donated helmets for the 106 students. Photo: Quincy Police Department.
For the second year, Breakstone, White & Gluck has teamed up with the Quincy Police Department to help children ride safely on bikes. Our lawyers donated 200 bicycle helmets to the Quincy Police Department as part of our 2018 Project KidSafe campaign. Officers been distributing helmets across the city.
More than 100 helmets went to fifth graders at the Quincy Police Dare camp. Another 35 helmets went to students from the Germantown Neighborhood Center, who participated in Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey’s Basketball Camp. This camp was held in partnership with the South Shore YMCA.
DARE Camp. Quincy Police offer this camp each year for 5th graders across the city. Students are treated to summer’s best: day trips to amusement parks, summer games and meet-and-greet sessions with Quincy police officers of all ranks, from the marine patrol, to detectives to the chief. The Quincy Police bike patrol leads one of the most popular sessions. Officers answer questions on a wide range of topics, from bike locks to safety vests, riding with friends and other topics. This year, much of the session focused on the wearing bicycle helmets to prevent concussions and head injuries. After the talk, students each received a free bicycle helmet from Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign. Quincy police officers showed them how to fit the helmets and stressed the importance of always wearing one.
Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey’s Basketball Camp
Children from the Germantown Neighborhood Center visited the South Shore YMCA for the basketball camp. The camp teaches basketball, but many lessons focus on good decision making off the court. One lesson focused on fire safety and prevention, with a visit from the Quincy and Weymouth fire departments, along with a Norfolk County deputy sheriff. The Quincy Police Department’s bike patrol brought the lesson on safe riding, then gave away free bicycle helmets from our Project KidSafe campaign. Read this article in the The Patriot Ledger.
The Importance of Wearing Bicycle Helmets
In a few weeks, students will be pulling out backpacks and getting ready for a new school year. In Quincy, students who live within a mile of their school must generally be dropped off by parents, walk or ride a bicycle. Many of them will ride. We hope the good efforts of the Quincy Police Department, combined with the bicycle helmets donated by Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign, will help steer students toward a safe school year.
Breakstone, White & Gluck, a Boston personal injury law firm, represents cyclists, pedestrians and others who have been injured in car and truck accidents. Over the years, our attorneys have seen cyclists who have suffered devastating head injuries.
With the number of cyclists growing in Boston and other communities, our firm set out to reduce the risk of concussions and head injuries. We began with children; by teaching children to wear helmets early, we hope to develop a life-long habit. This takes more than a free bicycle helmet. It takes positive reinforcement on all fronts, from parents, other students and respected community members such as police officers and teachers.
Research supports this view. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported children are less likely to wear helmets when they ride with other unhelmeted children. But children were twice as likely to wear bicycle helmets when other children wore them or other adults wore them.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Supports Mattapan on Wheels 2018
Photo courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition/Mattapan on Wheels Facebook page.
We were pleased to hear cyclists came out strong for the 8th annual Mattapan on Wheels Bike-a-thon last weekend. Breakstone, White & Gluck was a supporter, donating 130 bicycle helmets from our Project KidSafe campaign for cyclists who needed one. This year, 165 cyclists came out and explored Mattapan and the Neponset Greenway Trail, which offers some spectacular views of Boston. This was record participation for the event.
The Mattapan on Wheels Bike-a-thon is organized by the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Vigorous Youth (MFFC Vigorous Youth). The goal is participation; to encourage residents of all ages to come out, enjoy the bike trail and learn more about cycling for transportation, health and recreation. This is a lot of fun because cyclists get to meet up with other cyclists, families and the Boston Police Department, which provided a bike patrol escort.
Cyclists can ride free of charge or raise funds. Businesses can also make donations. This year’s event brought in more than $8,000, which will be re-invested back into cycling in Mattapan. With these funds, Mattapan on Wheels plans to send a few students to a youth bike summit and organize bike activities and workshops.
“…We have seen an increase of bikers in the Mattapan community. This motivates us to continue on with Mattapan on Wheels and our biking efforts in Mattapan,” Mattapan on Wheels wrote in an e-mail to supporters this week.
Breakstone, White & Gluck regrets that we were unable to participate in Mattapan on Wheels this year. But our attorneys want to thank the volunteers who organized Mattapan on Wheels and specifically everyone who took time to fit our Project KidSafe helmets for children and other riders. Your enthusiasm, energy and patience makes a big difference in helping someone get started wearing a helmet, which is the first step of safety on a bike.
Our Thanks to:
Mattapan on Wheels Coordinator
Shavel’le Olivier
Thanks to the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels for letting us show their excellent photos. See more photos on their Facebook page.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
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- Photos of Mattapan on Wheels 2018. Courtesy: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Mattapan on Wheels.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a Boston personal injury law firm. Our partners, Marc L. Breakstone, David W. White and Ronald E. Gluck, founded our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013 to encourage children to wear bicycle helmets and protect themselves from head injuries. We are proud to donate bicycle helmets to children in Boston through a number of organizations, including Mattapan on Wheels, Boston Bikes, the Boston Police Department, the Tierney Learning Center, Bikes Not Bombs and The Home for Little Wanderers. We also support the advocacy of the Boston Cyclists Union.
Newton Tab: Attorney Ronald E. Gluck and Breakstone, White & Gluck Donate Bicycle Helmets to Children
Attorney Ronald E. Gluck was recently mentioned in his hometown newspaper for our firm’s Project KidSafe campaign encouraging children to wear bicycle helmets. Read the article.
Do Your Child’s Swim Lessons Actually Reduce the Risk of Drowning?
A media report explores whether swim lessons actually reduce the risk of injury. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says children should not start lessons until age 1. Previously, the AAP’s recommendation was not before age 4.
Swimming lessons have certainly changed over the years. Parents are signing children up earlier, as young as 6 months old, to get them used to the water. A recent WBUR report explored whether this is all for fun or if children in today’s swim lessons are actually learning enough to reduce their risk of drowning.
As a parent, ask your child’s swim instructor about their goals. Experts interviewed by WBUR said the goal should be water survival and broader pool safety skills.
“Aquatic safety is about multiple layers of redundancy, swim lessons just being one of those layers,” said a director from the YMCA in Greater Boston.
According to the report, another essential layer is strong supervision from parents, guardians and lifeguards. As personal injury lawyers in Boston, we want to add that a third layer is property owners. They must remain aware of their responsibility to properly maintain and secure pools, from pool fences to drains to diving boards.
A few insights from the report:
- Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death among children in Massachusetts.
- There are very few studies which quantify the effectiveness of swim lessons.
- But one 2009 study has found children under 4 who take swim lessons have a significant advantage. The study, from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, found children who participated in swim lessons had an 88 percent reduced risk of drowning. The study examined 300 cases of unintentional drownings among children age 1 to 19 years old. Researchers only evaluated whether children participated in classes; they did not evaluate what skills children actually learned, so this is a future step.
- The American Academy for Pediatrics (AAP) had advised against swimming lessons for children under 4. After this study, the academy changed its recommendation in 2010, saying children ages 1 to 4 can develop water competence through swimming lessons. As for children under age 1, the AAP noted that “water-survival skills programs for infants may make compelling videos for the Internet, but no scientific study has yet demonstrated these classes are effective.”
In June, Olympian Bode Miller announced his family had lost his 19-month-old daughter in a swimming pool drowning in California. This tragedy has raised awareness about the risk of drownings, and the deep pain and devastation to families.
Drownings claim too many lives each year. Here in Massachusetts, a 2-year-old tragically drowned in his family’s swimming pool in Lynn earlier this month.
Nationwide, 463 children age 4 or younger drowned in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This was an increase over both 2015 and 2016. This week, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke about the rise in swimming pool drownings among young children and called for the federal government to investigate further.
What Parents Can Take From This Report
Asking Permission. Swim instructors should teach children to ask for permission before they get into the pool. They should always ask for permission, from parents, lifeguards or swimming instructors. Reinforce this lesson.
Proper Supervision. Parents should commit to watching children closely in the pool, even if the child is participating in a swim lesson. Carry your cell phone but set it aside. It is a scary thought, but in the time you take to send a text, your child could drown, even if they are a strong swimmer for their age. A child can drown quickly and silently under water.
When visiting family members and friends, consider leaving young children at home (with a trusted adult) or skipping the visit altogether.
Online Research. Research the swimming pool before you sign your child up for lessons. Look at the website to see the credentials of the pool owner and staff. Read online reviews. Also ask your friends and neighbors for feedback on the staff and what children are learning.
Another resource is the local town or city hall. Ask the health department about inspections and complaints which have been investigated. You will learn how well the pool is maintained and if the swimming pool owner responds promptly.
In-Person Research. Swimming classes can be busy, with a new round of children and parents starting classes every half hour. Still, take time to ask the swim instructor about their background and as we said, to explain their goals for the class.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston personal injury lawyers of Breakstone, White & Gluck represent children and families who have suffered pool drownings in Massachusetts. If you are parent, we urge you to carefully plan and supervise your child at the pool. If you are a pool owner, you have a responsibility to properly secure your pool with a fence and make sure your children and others are protected from potential injury.
Breakstone, White & Gluck represents individuals in all types of personal injury cases in Massachusetts, including car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, medical malpractice and premises liability cases. If you have been injured, contact Breakstone, White & Gluck for a free legal consultation at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676. You can also send us a message using our contact form.
Food Poisoning Closes Another Massachusetts Restaurant
A food poisoning outbreak has closed a Massachusetts restaurant in the middle of the summer season, raising concerns for diners.
A North Reading restaurant has been closed indefinitely after 39 diners filed complaints related to a salmonella outbreak. The source may be the antipasto salad, but the local board of health is still investigating.
The North Reading Board of Health shutdown Kitty’s Restaurant on Main Street on July 3. The board investigated the food poisoning, which may have initially occurred on June 23. After a thorough cleaning, the restaurant was allowed to re-open – though not for long. The restaurant has been closed again following a new report, this time from a June 25th visit.
According to a Boston 25 News report, the board’s investigation is focused on antipasto salad served at the restaurant. Nine complaints have been linked to salmonella poisoning on June 23. The other 30 cases from June 23 have not been confirmed yet. After the latest complaint from June 25th, the board has recommended testing for 46 workers and another full cleaning.
What is Salmonella Food Poisoning?
Salmonella poisoning is one of the most common types of food poisoning in the United States, according to FoodSafety.gov. The onset of symptoms can come within 12 hours or may take up to three days. Possible symptoms include nausea, stomach cramping, fever, abdominal cramping and vomiting. Fever and chills are also common. Expect symptoms to last 4-7 days.
Salmonella is not usually fatal in adults, according to the Mayo Clinic. With weakened immune systems, the elderly, young children and pregnant women are at risk for complications. Individuals who suffer from AIDS, malaria and other illnesses are also at a heightened risk, as are people taking anti-rejection drugs after organ transplants.
Causes of Salmonella Poisoning
There are many sources for salmonella poisoning. One is when eggs, meat and poultry are not properly cooked, then consumed. This can happen during processing and distribution before the food reaches consumers and businesses such as restaurants.
Failure to wash one’s hands can also lead to poisoning. If a restaurant worker doesn’t wash their hands, then handles food, they can pass along Salmonella contamination.
It can also be passed along by touch from pets and animals. Always wash your hands after contact with any animal, but most of all with birds and reptiles. You can be exposed in certain countries overseas. Do your research before international travel.
How to Report a Food Poisoning Case in Massachusetts
When suffering food poisoning symptoms after eating at a restaurant, always contact your community’s local board of health. The board will notify the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Do the same if you consumed food at a local business.
These venues likely served other people on the same day you visited. The contamination may not be an isolated incident and needs to be investigated to protect others.
Can I File a Lawsuit in Massachusetts if I Suffer Food Poisoning?
Every food poisoning case is unique and should be explored with an experienced Boston food poisoning lawyer who can advise you of your legal rights. Not everyone exposed to food poisoning suffers illness, but others are left with long-term complications. Contacting a lawyer is an important step to preserve your legal rights.
Free Legal Consultation in Massachusetts Food Poisoning Cases
With over 100 years combined experience, the Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck specialize in handling food poisoning cases. These cases are complex and must be investigated promptly.
For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Cyclists: Are You Lighting Up the Road?
Cyclist on vacation in Massachusetts wearing a helmet but not using bike lights
Fireworks are lighting up spectacular skies this week. All the color makes us think about bike lights. If you are a cyclist, are you lighting up the road this summer? Are you using bike lights and wearing bright colors to stay visible to drivers?
Whether you are commuting to work or enjoying a leisurely ride on vacation, bike lights are essential to preventing bicycle accidents. And many cyclists don’t realize this, but bike lights are required by law in Massachusetts.
We encourage you to buy yourself bike lights as soon as possible. If you already have lights, please check to make sure they are working properly. Bicycle accidents have risen in the U.S., reaching a 25-year high in 2016, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The majority of accidents happened between 6 and 9 p.m. The second peak time was 9 p.m. to midnight.
Massachusetts Law
Under Massachusetts law, cyclists are required to use bike lights if they ride after dark. The law is M.G.L c.85 § 11B.
Bicycles must be equipped with a white light facing forward and a red light facing backward. These lights must be in use from thirty minutes after sunset until thirty minutes before sunrise. The white light must be visible from at least five hundred feet away. The red light on the back must be visible for at least six hundred feet. Reflectors on both pedals facing front and back are also required. If a cyclist has no reflectors, they can wear reflective material around their ankles.
Plan
If you have your own bike, buy your own lights now. You can buy them online or at a local store for a few dollars. For everyone else, if there is a chance you may ride, purchase some small bike lights. They pack neatly in your work bag or travel luggage.
There are many different types of lights available. When you purchase lights, take note of the size, battery type and battery life and if they are designed for day or night use. Remember that lights are required for the front and back of your bike. Attaching lights to your helmet or other parts of your bike are helpful for safety, but are considered extra under the law. Here is an article about bike lights to help you get started.
There is good news for Boston commuters. There are built-in lights on the rental Blue Bikes in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline.
Stay Visible
Don’t stop at bike lights. Purchase a neon reflective safety vest, tape and any other clothing to help drivers see you. Amazon is full of ideas.
Know Your Bike Route
Before you ride at night, plan your route. Choose areas which are well lit and have clearly marked bike lanes. Travel the route during the day before you go at night.
Stay Informed
Monitor social media accounts for local police departments and bike committees which serve the area. Sign up for the newsletters offered by bike committees. Cyclists write these newsletters specifically for other cyclists and their experience is invaluable, especially when riding and making decisions at night.