Practice Areas
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Cerebral Palsy
- Wrongful Death
- Burns
- Car Accident
- Child Abuse
- Child Injuries
- School Injuries
- Daycare injuries
- Dog Bites
- Bike Accident
- Foster Care Abuse
Keane Blog 
- Elisa Skinner-Bell, 16 years-old, was killed while performing community service with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Youth Mentoring Program.
- In Carter County, Raymond, a toddler in foster care dies from a tragic accident. Dale Owen and his family, Heath Claburn and Raymond’s family are grieving.
- In Grady County, a two-year old foster child drowned in an up-ground pool.
- A Montgomery County jury ordered Harold Newsom to pay portion of the judgment against Jason Newsome for child sex abuse of four boys.
- Jamie Hallam, the mother of Ariana and Tyler Payne, is grieving their loss. Their father, Christopher Payne and his girlfriend, Reina Gonzales, face charges for the abuse and deaths of the two children.
Case Results
Wrongful Death
$5,700,000.00 - Wrongful Death
$1,800,000.00 - Wrongful Death
$1,000,000.00 - Wrongful Death
Child Abuse
Sexual Assault - Confidential Settlement
Sexual Assault - Confidential Settlement
Sexual Assault - Confidential Settlement
Child Injuries
Foster Care Abuse
Wrongful Death - Confidential Settlement
Other
$1,000,000.00 - Wrongful Death
$1,000,000.00 - Wrong Site Surgery
$1,000,000.00 - Accidental death
Child Safety News
Martinez woman, Kimberly Hoglund, reportedly suspected of causing car accident in Pinole, leaving teenage boy in a coma, link provided by California lawyer attorney for teenagers in car accidents... More
Animal attack at San Francisco Zoo kills Carlos Sousa, Jr, age 17, link provided by San Francisco animal attack lawyer... More
Child abuse lawyer provides link to child death review committee report... More
Dakota Harryman, 7 months, killed; grandmother's boyfriend, Glenn Peralta, charged in death... More
Wrongful death of San Jose baby from skull fracture - father, Armando Garcia, reportedly held in jail... More
Wrongful death of Robert Ratto, 19, allegedly killed by gunshot from friend, Daryl Yadao, 18... More
California child injury lawyer provides link to child seat safety class in Riverside County and San Bernadino County California... More
Erica Bernal, Mother of Jose Ariellano, shaken baby victim, waits for jury verdict in her murder trial in Norwalk Superior Court... More
California investigates allegations of child abuse involving Britney Spears and Kevin Federline custody case... More
Joshua Yeager, alleged driver in car crash in Cedar Ridge related to death of Laura Freeman, age 17, denied release... More
Child Abuse
Helping You Protect America’s Children Against Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse can take many forms. It can manifest itself as the slow and insidious chronic neglect of a child by their primary caregiver, or it can be as shockingly apparent as a broken limb or a shaken baby. Often, a single child will experience more than one kind of abuse or neglect. For example, a child could suffer from sexual abuse at the hands of their father, witness ongoing domestic violence in their home, and could also have special education needs that are not being met by their parents. Alternately, a child can suffer from a single kind of abuse, such as ongoing verbal abuse from their mother. Even worse, across the United States, more than 2,000 children die each year from child abuse and neglect.
The information provided below will help you recognize the various types of child abuse and neglect, and most importantly help you understand your responsibilities and what you can do to help. In cases of abuse or neglect resulting in broken bones, sexual abuse, brain injury, brain damage, shaken baby syndrome or death, The Keane Law Firm wants to work with you to seek justice for that child.
What is child abuse and neglect?
Federal law provides a foundation definition of child abuse and neglect in The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which individual States must incorporate into their own definitions. Basically, child abuse and neglect can be separated into four categories: physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.
- Physical Abuse: Perhaps the most obvious form of child abuse is the physical abuse of a child or baby. Regardless of the intent, any harm – from bruises to broken bones to brain damage to death – resulting from physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, throwing, or beating is considered abuse. It is never acceptable to physically harm a child.
- Child Neglect: Child neglect is the most common type of abuse. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Information Gateway estimates that 60% of abused children suffer from neglect. Child neglect can take many forms. The one-time failure of a parent or caregiver to properly supervise or care for a child is considered acute neglect, while the repeated, ongoing failure to supervise or care for a child is considered chronic neglect. Neglect itself can include the failure to meet a child’s basic needs such as medical care, food, and shelter; the failure to attend to a child’s emotional needs or exposing the child to domestic violence; the failure to provide a child with education or to make allowances for a child’s special educational needs; or it can be subjecting the child to extreme corporeal punishment.
- Emotional Abuse: Children can also be subjected to emotional abuse at the hands of a parent or caregiver, and approximately 7% of abused children are emotionally abused. Emotional abuse is generally defined as an ongoing pattern of treatment that negatively impacts a child’s emotional development. This can include withholding affection or support, making threats to the child, excessive criticism of the child, or unnecessarily confining the child.
- Sexual Abuse: Finally, sexual abuse of a child includes any use of a child for sexual gratification. This includes any inducement, persuasion, or coercion of a child to engage in or assist with sexual activity, including rape, child prostitution, indecent exposure, or exploitation of a child by production of pornographic materials. The Child Welfare Information Gateway estimates that 10% of abused children experience some form of sexual abuse.
Know your responsibilities
If you suspect that a child is being abused and neglected, the best thing you can do to protect that child is to take action immediately. It is very important to act quickly before that child’s life is irrevocably altered by a catastrophic event resulting from the abuse or neglect. Not only is acting quickly in the child’s best interest, but it is also the law. Anyone who could have prevented the child’s injury or could have reported the suspected abuse before the child was affected could be held liable for damages if they fail to act.
According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Information Gateway, professionals such as physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, neuropsychologists, social workers, case managers, teachers, administrators and many others are responsible for reporting 56% of all alleged cases of child abuse or neglect. 44% of these cases are reported by nonprofessionals like friends, relatives, or neighbors. It is important to know that in many States, including the State of California, most health practitioners and child care professionals are required to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect in a timely manner. Failure to report is not only detrimental to the child in question, but can result in fines or jail time and being held liable in a civil lawsuit for physical injuries, disability, pain and suffering, medical bills, and future lost wages sustained by the injured child.
You may be comforted to know that child abuse and neglect reports are considered confidential, and individuals reporting cases of suspected abuse or neglect are protected from civil or criminal liability if the reporting was required by law or if the individual acted in good faith. Clearly, you have nothing to lose and the child in question has everything to gain by your timely action.
All states identify specific agencies and departments to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. Usually, this responsibility is carried out by child protective services (CPS) within a Department of Social Services or another similar name, such as Department of Human Resources. In some States, police departments may also receive reports of child abuse or neglect. For more information or assistance with reporting suspected abuse and neglect, please call Childhelp®, 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453), or your local CPS agency. While The Keane Law Firm can help you correct the injustice done to abuse children with a civil lawsuit, we are not affiliated with any government agencies designated or permitted to accept reports of abuse and neglect, so please follow your applicable state laws and report suspected abuse and neglect to the authorities.
In most cases, the toll-free numbers listed below are only accessible from within the State listed. If you choose to call from out-of-State, use the local (toll) number listed or call Childhelp® for assistance. Also listed below are links to State websites, which can provide additional information. Please see our resources section for the phone numbers for the various states.
The Keane Law Firm and You
While Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm specialize in cases from San Francisco and the State of California, they may also accept worthy cases from other states. No matter where the child about whom you are concerned is located, you may rest assured that The Keane Law Firm possesses the knowledge and resources to provide you with the best representation and seek justice for that child. Please contact The Keane Law Firm today. We will work with you to defend America’s children against the horrors of abuse and neglect.
California child abuse lawyers are available to help if you know a child who has been injured by abuse. The Keane Law Firm has been recognized as having an AV rating - the highest legal ability and ethics rating available, and Christopher Keane has been rated as one of the leading plaintiff's lawyers in America as a "tireless advocate for injured children". Contact him today to see if he can help your child.
DO YOU HAVE A CHILD ABUSE CASE OR LAWSUIT AND NEED A CHILD ABUSE LAWYER OR ATTORNEY in California, San Francisco, Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, Union City, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon, Annapolis, Cloverdale, Geyserville, Cazadero, Healdsburg, Geurneville, Windsor, Napa, Napa Valley, Wine Country, Bay Area, Northern California, Fulton, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Bloomfield, Cotati, Sonoma, Petaluma, Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Modesto, Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, East Palo Alto, El Granada, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, La Honda, Loma Mar, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Montara, Moss Beach, Pacifica, Pescadero, Portola Valley, Princeton By The Sea, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Gregorio, San Mateo, South San Francisco, West Menlo Park, Woodside, San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, Adin, Modoc County, Alturas, Anderson, Shasta County, Bartle, Siskiyou County, Beckwourth, Plumas County, Berry Creek, Butte County, Bieber, Lassen County, Big Bend, Shasta County, Blairsden, Plumas County, Biggs, Butte County, Burney, Shasta County, Burnt Ranch, Trinity County, Butte Valley, Siskiyou County, Callahan, Canby, Canyon Dam, Cassel, Castella, Cedarville, Chester, Chico, Chilcoot, Clio, Coffee Creek, Corning, Tehama County, Cottonwood, Crescent Mills, Cromberg, Dorris, Dunsmuir, Durham, Edgewood, Etna, Fall River Mills, Forks of Salmon, Fort Bidwell, Fort Jones, French Gulch, Gazelle, Graeagle, Greenview, Greenville, Gridley, Happy Camp, Hat Creek, Hayfork, Helena, Herlong, Lassen County, Hilt, Hornbrook, Horse Creek, Hyampom, Janesville, Johnstonville, Johnsville, Junction City, Trinity County, Klamath River, La Porte, Lakehead, Lewiston, Likely, Los Molinos, Macdoel, Mad River, Manton, McArthur, McCloud, Millville, Mineral, Montague, Mount Hebron, Mount Shasta, Newell, Nubieber, Old Station, Oroville, Palermo, Palo Cedro, Paradise, Paynes Creekis, Platina, Pondosa, Portola, Quincy, Ravendale, Redding, Ruth, Salyer, Sawyers Bar, Scott Bar, Seiad Valley, Shasta, Shasta Lake City, Shingletown, Lake Tahoe, Somes Bar, Susanville, Taylorsville, Trinity Center, Tulelake, Vina, Vinton, Weaverville, Weed, Westwood, Willow Ranch, Yreka, San Francisco County, Alameda County, Marin County, San Mateo County, Sonoma County, Stanislaus County, Contra Costa County, Los Angeles County?
Call The Keane Law Firm toll-free at 1-888-592-KIDS (5437).
Library for Child Abuse:
- Child Abuse Prevention – A Three Tiered Approach
Description: A Three-Tiered approach to preventing child abuse and neglect has been recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services' Child Welfare Information Gateway. Integrating aspects of each tier into a community and family prevention programs can help reduce the incidence of child abuse in the United States. - California Educators - Legal Responsibilities with respect to Child Abuse Reporting [PDF]
Description: California Educators Child Abuse Responsibilities - California - Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting - Condensed Version of Law [PDF]
Description: California Child Abuse Reporting Law - condensed version - California - Child Abuse Prevention Handbook - 2007 [PDF]
Description: California - Child Abuse Prevention Handbook 2007 - California - Child Abuse Prevention Handbook - 2007 - Addenda [PDF]
Description: California - Child Abuse Prevention Handbook 2007 - Addenda
Frequent Questions for Child Abuse:
What factors place children at risk for being victims of child abuse?
Are children with disabilities that reside in institutions at risk for being victims of child abuse?
Are children with disabilities that reside at home at greater risk to be victims of abuse?
Are children with disabilities more inclined to endure abusive behavior from their caregivers or parents?
How do I identify caregiver exploitation?
- What types of child abuse exist and what does the child get compensated for?
- What are the signs of child abuse and what can I do about it?
- What is the California Child Abuse Reporting Law?
- Who must report known or suspected child abuse in California?
- When is a mandatory reporter in California required to report known or suspected child abuse?
- Can I report suspected abuse - even if I am not a mandatory reporter? And, if I can, what protections or safeguards are there for people who report known or suspected child abuse in California?
- Can a mandatory report who fails to report known or suspected child abuse be sued and held liable for failure to make the required report?
- How can a mandatory reporter, or even untrained members of the general public, identify child abuse?
- What if abuse occurred in the past - does a mandated reporter still have to report it?
- At what age is a child most at risk of abuse?
Case Results for Child Abuse:
- Sexual Assault - Confidential Settlement - Confidential
- Sexual Assault - Confidential Settlement - Confidential
- Sexual Assault - Confidential Settlement - Confidential
Web Resources for Child Abuse:
- Alabama
Description: Local (toll): (334) 242-9500
- Alaska
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 478-4444
- Arizona
Description: Toll-Free: (888) SOS-CHILD (888-767-2445)
- Arkansas
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 482-5964
- California
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Colorado
Description: Local (toll): (303) 866-5932
- Connecticut
Description: TDD: (800) 624-5518
Toll-Free: (800) 842-2288 - Delaware
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 292-9582
- District of Columbia
Description: Local (toll): (202) 671-SAFE (202-671-7233)
- Florida
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 96-ABUSE (800-962-2873)
- Georgia
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Hawaii
Description: Local (toll): (808) 832-5300
- Illinois
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 252-2873
Local (toll): (217) 524-2606 - Indiana
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 800-5556
- Iowa
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 362-2178
- Kansas
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 922-5330
- Kentucky
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 752-6200
- Louisiana
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Maine
Description: TTY: (800) 963-9490
Toll-Free: (800) 452-1999 - Maryland
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Massachusetts
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 792-5200
- Michigan
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Minnesota
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Mississippi
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 222-8000
Local (toll): (601) 359-4991 - Missouri
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 392-3738
Local (toll): (573) 751-3448 - Montana
Description: Toll-Free: (866) 820-5437
- Nebraska
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 652-1999
- Nevada
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 992-5757
Local (toll): (775) 684-4400 - New Hampshire
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 894-5533
Local (toll): (603) 271-6556 - New Jersey
Description: TTY: (800) 835-5510
Toll-Free: (877) 652-2873
TDD: (800) 835-5510 - New Mexico
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 797-3260
Local (toll): (505) 841-6100 - New York
Description: TDD: (800) 369-2437
Toll-Free: (800) 342-3720
Local (toll): (518) 474-8740 - North Carolina
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- North Dakota
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Ohio
Description: Contact the county Public Children Services Agency using the list above or call Childhelp USA® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Oklahoma
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 522-3511
- Oregon
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Pennsylvania
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 932-0313
- Puerto Rico
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 981-8333
Local (toll): (787) 749-1333 - Rhode Island
Description: Toll-Free: (800) RI-CHILD (800-742-4453)
- South Carolina
Description: Local (toll): (803) 898-7318
- South Dakota
Description: Local (toll): (605) 773-3227
- Tennessee
Description: Toll-Free: (877) 237-0004
- Texas
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 252-5400
- Utah
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 678-9399
- Vermont
Description: After hours: (800) 649-5285
- Virginia
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 552-7096
Local (toll): (804) 786-8536 - Washington
Description: TTY: (800) 624-6186
Toll-Free: (866) END-HARM (866-363-4276)
After hours: (800) 562-5624 - West Virginia
Description: Toll-Free: (800) 352-6513
- Wisconsin
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance.
- Wyoming
Description: Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp® (800-422-4453) for assistance
- Shaken baby syndrome simulator
Description: This company sells a model intended to demonstrate the cause and effect of shaken baby syndrome.
Keane Law Firm
530 Jackson Street
2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 398-2777
Fax: (415) 520-2282
The Keane Law Firm
530 Jackson Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, California 94133
Phone: (415) 398-2777
Fax: (415) 520-2282
info@keanelaw.com
FAQs
Wrongful Death
- What's the point in bringing a wrongful death lawsuit when a child dies - you can't bring back the child?
- What does California law permit the family of child who was killed to recover?
- What can one do in case of a child’s wrongful death?
- What is wrongful death of an unborn child?
Child Abuse
What factors place children at risk for being victims of child abuse?
Are children with disabilities that reside in institutions at risk for being victims of child abuse?
Are children with disabilities that reside at home at greater risk to be victims of abuse?
Are children with disabilities more inclined to endure abusive behavior from their caregivers or parents?
How do I identify caregiver exploitation?
Child Injuries
- What if my child was injured at a children’s facility or the playground?
- How is a claim or lawsuit actually settled on behalf of a child? And, is it possible that part of a child’s settlement be used for the benefit of the child before he or she turns 18?
- Do I need to be the mother or father of an injured child in order to bring a claim on their behalf?
- Is there a deadline for my child to file a claim or lawsuit in California?
- When and why is lead paint in my apartment or rental home considered hazardous for my children?
Foster Care Abuse
- What are foster homes?
- How do I know if a foster child has been abused?
- Can a foster child sue for injuries suffered while in foster care in California?
- Do I need to be related to an abused or injured foster child in order to bring a claim on their behalf?
General
- Why will you potentially harm your injured child's lawsuit if you delay in hiring a lawyer?
- Should I talk to an insurance company, or sign insurance company documents, if an insurance company calls me about my child who was injured in a car accident?
- What can a child's lawyer do to protect their settlement or judgment in case an adult predeceases the child? Or, if the child is brain-injured?