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A Michigan shaken baby syndrome lawyer helps children suffering from abusive head trauma.

Unlike other injury attorneys, the Buckfire Law Firm does not represent the abusers. Rather, we help the injured child seek justice through settlement compensation.

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Shaking a baby is very dangerous and can cause shaken baby syndrome.  This is a serious brain injury and is a form of child abuse.

Every year, abusive head trauma is the leading cause of physical child abuse in the United States.  There are approximately 1,300 cases reported every year.  Approximately 25% of the baby victims die from this head trauma annually.

Crying is the number one trigger for shaking a baby. Parents, caregivers, babysitters, and others shake infants to stop them from crying.  They often do not realize the potential permanent and serious injuries caused by this action.

Shaking a baby is unsafe because babies have weak neck muscles and a fragile brain. Their brains are in the process of developing and are more prone to brain injury than an adult and in fact, injuries from shaking are not necessarily short term.

The consequences are catastrophic and long term lasting throughout their childhood and the rest of their lifetime. How long a baby is shaken doesn’t hold significance either.

A baby that is shaken for a second could receive the same type of injuries of a baby that was shaken for three minutes.

How to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome

Knowing how to prevent the abuse caused by shaking a baby is very important for all parents and guardians and we want to share with you a few tips on prevention. They include:

  • Never shake a baby or young child.
  • Know which actions may harm a baby or cause Shaken Baby Syndrome, including spinning a baby, bouncing a baby, or failing to support a baby’s head when holding or playing with him/her.
  • If hiring a caregiver or babysitter, make sure they are a credible, responsible person. Do a background check and call references.
  • Make sure that anyone who is caring for your baby knows how to hold and handle your child. Tell them to “never shake the baby” and explain that babies are fragile.
  • Know what to do if a baby in your care doesn’t stop crying.

Knowing the Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome

It is essential that every person understands the signs and symptoms of abusive head trauma.  Common symptoms include:

  • Loss or alteration of consciousness
  • Drowsiness accompanied by irritability
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Dilated pupils that do not respond to light
  • Decreased appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Posture in which the head is bent back and the back arched
  • Breathing problems and irregularities
  • Abnormally slow and shallow respiration
  • Coma
  • Cardiac arrest

If you notice these issues, it is a medical emergency.  You should seek medical attention immediately for the child.

How Do Doctors Diagnose the Condition?

A trained physician or medical provider should suspect shaken baby syndrome based upon specific findings in a medical examination.  Key findings include:

  • Bleeding in the eye, or retinal hemorrhages
  • Soft spots on the head and skull
  • Closed head injury bleeding
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Bruising on the body
  • Concussion symptoms
  • Bruises to the face, scalp, arms, abdomen or back
  • Chest and abdominal injuries

To diagnose the condition, a doctor will usually order an MRI, CT Scan, or other diagnostic study.  The medical history is also very helpful.

Who Can I Sue for Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Any person who shakes the child and causes injury can be held liable in a civil lawsuit.  Additionally, other potential defendants include:

  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Doctors, nurses, and social workers
  • Police agencies
  • Social service agencies
  • Day care centers
  • Childcare providers

Many times, a baby with signs of abusive head trauma is seen by a medical provider and then released back to the abuser.  The baby is then shaken by the same person and suffers a catastrophic brain injury.

Medical standards require doctors and nurses to report suspected abuse to the authorities.  A baby should never be released back to a potential abuser until it has been determined the injuries were not caused by physical abuse.

In addition, police and other law enforcement must fully investigate potential child abuse when called regarding an incident.  It is gross negligence to leave a baby with the person who shook the baby before the police arrived.

Finally, any child care agency, day care center, and baby-sitting service can also be held accountable for abuse to a child in their care.  The employer can be held liable for an employee’s wrongful conduct, including shaken baby syndrome.

Attorneys sitting around conference table

How Much are Child Injury Lawsuit Settlements?

Lawsuits for babies and children with serious injuries result in very large settlements.

Compensation payouts include money for pain and suffering, fright and shock, and loss of enjoyment of life.  Permanent disability is also recoverable damage.

In addition, the child will have permanent and substantial financial losses.  Settlements can include payment for lifetime medical and education expenses, housing needs, and payments for parents and caregivers.

Our experienced attorneys hire a life care planner to project the economic costs associated with caring for the child over a lifetime.  We also hire an economist to project the costs for the child’s entire life expectancy.

Shaken Baby Syndrome Case Study

A child was abused multiple times by a caregiver but always returned by medical professionals to the same person. The doctors and nurses never reported the incidents to child protective services.

While in custody of the abuser, the baby was shaken again and suffered significant brain damage. A lawsuit was filed against the people who should have reported the abuse. The case settled for $5 million.

Get Help from a Michigan Shaken Baby Syndrome Lawyer

Our award-winning personal injury lawyers specialize in cases involving babies and children. We win the highest settlements in these cases.

Call the lawyers who specialize in shaken baby syndrome cases. We charge no legal fees unless you win a settlement.

We will start working on your case immediately.

Michigan Shaken Baby Syndrome Resources

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