California Shaken Baby Syndrome Attorneys
Shaken Baby Syndrome
One of the most tragic forms of traumatic brain injury is called Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). The name is an exact description as the cause is the violent shaking of an infant or toddler, resulting in ruptured blood vessels in the brain. Vital brain cells are damaged and brain tissues become compressed and swollen, leading to terrible injury or death.
Sad Facts About Shaken Baby Syndrome
This form of child abuse usually occurs when a caretaker becomes frustrated with a baby or small child constantly crying or misbehaving. It is often spontaneous, and, while the damage inflicted is rarely intentional, it is usually permanent due to the fragility of a baby’s neck, skull and brain. Here are some facts about SBS:
- SBS is the most common cause of death in cases of child abuse.
- The most frequent victims are babies under the age of one year.
- Statistics reveal that children as old as four or five years can also fall victim to SBS.
Doctors can use medical evidence to determine whether SBS caused injury or death. Symptoms include the following:
- Retinal hemorrhaging
- Fractured ribs and other bones from being held tightly
- Patterns of brain injury such as blunt impact damage within the skull with or without signs of outside impact
- Whiplash or other neck trauma
Consequences of Shaken Baby Syndrome
When children survive violent shaking, they are very likely to suffer multiple deficits for the rest of their lives. These include the following:
- Seizures
- Physical disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Damage or loss of hearing and/or vision
- Speech impediment
- Cerebral palsy
- Behavior problems
- Other cognitive impairments associated with any form of traumatic brain injury
What to Do If Your Child is the Victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome
In addition to the trauma of having an originally healthy child suffer deficits and other conditions for the rest of his or her life, the costs of raising your child will likely skyrocket due to the need to provide continuous medical care, therapies, special learning assistance, supportive devices and other necessary accommodations.
If you suspect a caretaker inflicted this abuse on your child, seek medical attention immediately. Once you have received the help required, remember that you have legal recourse, both criminal and civil. You should contact the police and then follow up by contacting a personal injury attorney. While these actions cannot heal your child, they can make it possible for you to get the justice your family deserves and to afford the care needed to continue raising your injured child to the best of your ability.
For more information regarding your child's legal rights in regards to being the victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome, please contact a California brain injury attorney at The Brain Injury Legal Help Center. We have the knowledge and skill to represent even the most serious types of brain injury cases, including Shaken Baby Syndrome. Contact us at (800) 610-1892.