Brain Injury Attorneys

Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens, New York

Shaken Baby Syndrome

You may have heard the public awareness campaign slogan, "Never shake a baby." The campaign is aimed at preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome, which is a condition babies can be diagnosed with, leading to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.

Perhaps nothing is as tragic as the idea of your child being harmed by someone you have trusted. If you think your baby may be exhibiting symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. Discuss your legal options, as well, with one of our brain injury attorneys in the Queens, New York and surrounding areas, who are experienced in cases dealing with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

This medical condition results from a baby being violently shaken. The shaking motion causes the baby's brain to be thrown back and forth inside the skull, and the spinal cord to endure heavy force. This causes swelling, bruising and internal bleeding. In the worst of cases, the spinal cord is damaged, and there is permanent brain damage or even death.

Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome

Injuries from violent shaking typically occur in babies younger than 2, but can be diagnosed in children as old as age 5. The injuries are not always noticeable right away. The characteristic signs of the condition include:

• Severe irritability
• Breathing problems
• Feeding problems
• Lethargy
• Convulsions/seizures
• Reduced muscle tone
• Vomiting
• Pale/bluish skin color
• Difficulty swallowing
• Baby's "soft spot" appears to be bulging
• Inability to lift the head
• Eyes not able to focus and/or one pupil is larger than the other

If you believe there is a chance a baby has been shaken, you should seek emergency care immediately.

Lifelong Consequences

Children diagnosed with Shaken Baby Syndrome often require a lifetime of special care from their brain, spine and eyesight injuries. And that care can require a lifetime of medical expenses.

That is why civil personal injury lawsuits are gaining ground in dealing with Shaken Baby Syndrome. If a person can be found negligent in providing adequate care for a baby, the child's family may be able to receive compensation.

Get the Help You Need

If your child has been diagnosed with Shaken Baby Syndrome, we may be able to offer legal help. Please contact our brain injury attorneys serving Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, Bronx, and New York City, New York for more legal information on spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C.

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