Child can be sued for injury

Toddler held accountable for actions

A New York Supreme Court justice Paul Woosten has ruled that the actions of a four year-old cannot be dismissed because of the child's age.

The particular situation is that Juliet Breitman and her pal, Jacob Kohan were riding their training bicycles when they accidentally struck an elderly woman. Claire Menagh who was 87 years-old underwent surgery for a fractured hip and she died three months later.

The lawyers tried to hold the mother responsible because she was supervising the children at the time of the accident. The judge declared, "A parent's presence alone does not give a reasonable child carte blanche to engage in risky behavior such as running across a street".

The case will proceed in the courts. We will watch for the final ruling. Parents, teach your children well!

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