Protecting Your Child's Interests in a Shaken Baby Lawsuit

It is never acceptable to shake a baby or otherwise inflict abusive head trauma on a vulnerable child. Any caregiver for an infant has the duty to provide a safe environment. The type of force required to cause subdural hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, and alteration in breathing is simply not produced from an adult acting in a careful manner with a child.

Child Abuse Progresses in Severity

In almost all cases of shaken baby syndrome, the time a baby is catastrophically injured is not the first time he’s abused. Babies who are diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma often have prior signs of lower level injuries. These may include:

• Unexplained bruises or cuts
• Injuries that have a defined pattern such as a straight line or circle
• Injuries to part of the body that would normally be well protected such as the buttocks or insides of the legs and arms
• Lethargy
• Vomiting

Duty to Report Child Abuse

The law permits anyone who has reason to suspect a child is being abused to make a report to child protective services or the police. However, law enforcement officers, doctors, teachers, school employees, daycare providers, and others who work with children on a regular basis are considered mandated reporters. The law requires them to make a report of suspected abuse immediately by phone, followed by a written report within 36 hours.

Protecting Your Child's Rights

Little Kids in Big Cases: Shaken Baby Syndrome explains in detail what signs indicate your child has been the victim of shaken baby syndrome or suffered an abusive head trauma. It also gives the warning signs that indicate a childcare provider may be acting in an abusive manner that puts an infant at risk of catastrophic injury.

If you suspect your child has been victimized by an abusive caregiver, you must retain legal representation immediately. Little Kids in Big Cases: Shaken Baby Syndrome provides a basic explanation of your legal rights, but a consultation with an experienced attorney is the only way to make sure your child's interests are protected.

Christopher Keane and the Keane Law Firm have devoted their practice to helping abused children protect their rights. Request this free book to learn more about your legal options, and call us with any questions at (888) 592-KIDS.