The View 38002 June/July 2016 | Page 4

theview Page 4 Don’t Fail Your Child Before School Starts Vision is important for your child’s learning, behavior Special to THE VIEW 38002 “Almost 80% of what a child learns in school is presented visually. It stands to reason then, that good vision is essential to learning. Yet studies show only 31% of children between the ages of 6 and 16 have an annual eye exam,” according to Dr. Artee Nanji, O.D., of Primary Eye Care in Arlington. “Approximately 70% of children younger than six years, the age at which most vision problems can be treated before permanent damage occurs, have never had an eye exam” “Some 20 million children will go back to school this year with a vision problem that may interfere with their ability to learn while also contributing to disciplinary problems,” Nanji added. But what about vision screenings performed by a school nurse or a pediatrician? Won’t they detect vision problems? “Only partially”, according to Nanji. “According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, vision screening methods detected only 40 65% of children with vision problems,” Nanji said. “Every child should have a comprehensive eye health examination. Even if a child has passed a vision screening, a comprehensive exam can reveal problems that would go undetected in a screening. If a vision problem is detected, your family eye doctor can begin treatment immediately.” www.theview38002.com theview38002 @theview38002 .com June/July 2016 ATV Riding On Your Property—Who’s Liable? By David B. Peel, Special to THE VIEW 38002 A Tennessee Court of Appeals case sheds light on the new law when someone is hurt riding ATVs on your property. Mr. McCaig sustained multiple injuries while operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on Mr. Whitmore‘s property. Mr. Whitmore‘s property consists of approximately seven acres of land and a residence. With the exception of the residence. Mr. McCaig and his family were attending a social gathering at Mr. Whitmore‘s home when he was riding Mr. Whitmore‘s ATV, Mr. McCaig flipped the vehicle, which landed on top of him. Mr. McCaig sustained significant injuries, including nerve damage to his spine, legs, feet, and hands that prevent him from walking unassisted. In his lawsuit against Mr. Whitmore, the McCaigs allege that Mr. Whitmore is liable to them for negligence as a result of failing to properly instruct Mr. McCaig on how to operate the ATV and by failing to warn Mr. McCaig of dangerous and concealed conditions. Mr. Whitmore’s homeowner’s insurance attorneys filed his answer, in which he denied any liability for Mr. McCaig‘s injuries and claimed that the recent Recreational Use Statute, TCA 70-7-104, bars any recovery by the McCaigs against Mr. Whitmore. Mr. Whitmore filed a motion for summary judgment alleging that he owed no duty to Mr. McCaig and the trial court agreed to throw out the case. To bring a successful suit based on a claim of negligence, the plaintiff must establish: (1) a duty of care owed by the defendant to the plaintiff; (2) conduct falling below the applicable standard of care amounting to a breach of that duty; (3) an injury or loss; (4) causation in fact; and (5) proximate, or legal cause. The new Tennessee Recreational Use Statute codified at Tenn. Code Ann. §70-7-101 states that (a) The landowner, lessee, occupant, or any person in control of land or premises owes no duty of care to keep such land or premises safe for entry or use by others for such recreational activities as . . . off-road vehicle riding, . . . and nor shall such landowner be required to give any warn