Childrens Brain Injury Attorney

Preventable accidents involving brain injuries in children are always tragic. In the unfortunate event that your child has suffered a brain injury, you may have a claim for compensation.  Although no amount of money could ever make an injury go away, compensation can help with medical care, rehabilitation, and loss of time away from work.  A full and fair settlement after an injury can ease financial worry and allow your family to focus solely on your child’s recovery. At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, we have handled claims of children who have suffered brain injuries in auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents and accidents caused by child abuse or negligent supervision.

Brain Injuries in Children

Among infants, children and adolescents, brain injury is the most frequent cause of death and disability. After a blow to the head, brain damage can occur in a split second, leaving a child or teen in need of medical care for the rest of their life. A brain injury can affect a child’s ability to breathe, see, speak, listen, feel and move. Every brain injury is different; sometimes symptoms show up right away, and sometimes symptoms don’t show up for weeks.

From a legal standpoint, brain injury cases involving children may be even more complex than adult brain injury cases. Without academic records and prior job history, it can be difficult to determine how much function of a child’s brain has been lost.  An attorney familiar with the unique aspects of brain injuries in children can help you establish liability and recover maximum compensation from the party responsible for your child’s brain injury.

Causes of Brain Injury in Children

Children can suffer brain injuries in falls, bicycle accidents, motor vehicle accidents, sporting accidents, and as a result of child abuse. Brain injuries can be very serious or fatal even if the skull is not penetrated (closed head injuries). Brain injuries can also be caused by certain infections, in drowning accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other accidents causing oxygen deprivation. Brain injuries can also occur at birth, resulting in cerebral palsy.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

“Shaken Baby Syndrome” (SBS) is a serious head injury caused by child abuse that effects an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 babies each year in the United States. Babies who are victims of shaken baby syndrome may suffer permanent, irreparable brain damage or death. Survivors of SBS may sustain cerebral palsy, paralysis, epilepsy, deafness, blindness,  and other  learning and behavioral disorders. Twenty-five percent of children diagnosed with SBS die and 60% suffer lifelong disability.

Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Children who survive traumatic brain injuries face unique challenges and difficulties transitioning from the hospital to home, school and community. Teachers, caregivers and other children may mistakenly assume  brain injury victims have mental retardation or learning disabilities, without fully understanding their unique physical, emotional and social needs. Depending on the injury, children with traumatic brain injury may have physical, cognitive and behavioral challenges:

Physical challenges: Brain injury victims may have difficulty talking, hearing, seeing, and smelling.  They may be frequently fatigued and have headaches often. They may have muscle spasticity (sudden contraction or tightening of muscles, and seizures.  Walking and staying balanced may be difficult or impossible. Severe brain injuries may cause permanent paralysis on one or both sides of the body.

Cognitive challenges: Memory problems are one of the most common symptoms of a brain injury.  Both short-term and long-term memory may be affected. Thinking may be slowed, and brain injury victims may also have difficulty talking, listening, writing, reading, communicating and understanding.

Behavioral challenges: Children with brain injuries may have personality and behavioral challenges. They may laugh more or cry more than they did before the injury, and may have mood, anger and depression changes.

Increased risk of epilepsy: Young adults and children who suffer a traumatic brain injury are at an increased risk for epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder characterized by unprovoked, recurring seizures. This risk is increased for more than 10 years, especially in children with a family history of epilepsy.

Brain Injury Treatment

After a suspected brain injury, children are usually hospitalized for close observation and monitoring of changes in breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, consciousness, reflexes and intracranial pressure.  Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) may cause additional brain damage (secondary brain injury). Surgery may be required to reduce pressure on the brain. Recovery from a brain injury may take months or years, depending on the severity of an injury.  Long-term treatment may include assisted-living programs, physical therapy, occupational rehabilitation, behavior management and other rehabilitation. 

How a Lawyer Can Help

A brain injury attorney who understands the medical and legal implications of brain injuries in children can be a powerful advocate. Brain injuries are complicated and expensive, as medical care may be needed for the rest of a victim’s life. Other family members may be forced to take time away from work to care for a victim. At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, we have helped many families obtain maximum settlements for brain trauma victims.  We can help you obtain full and fair compensation for your child’s injury and lifetime medical needs.

Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

If your child has suffered a head injury or brain injury caused by another’s reckless, careless or negligent actions, you should have a qualified traumatic brain injury lawyer evaluate your case and determine your eligibility for compensation. Children’s brain injury attorneys at Estey & Bomberger, LLP have handled many brain injury cases involving children, and have recovered numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. We can answer your questions honestly and explain your legal options. Call us today to see how we can help you.