Shaken Baby Syndrome

It is no surprise that infants and young children will cry quite frequently. They lack the means of effectively communicating their needs, so they will often bawl and wail to alert you of their discomforts. As a parent or supervisor, this behavior can be endlessly frustrating, especially if you cannot figure out what is making the child as unhappy as he or she appears to be.

You have probably been warned before against shaking your youngster in an effort to stop the tears. It is important, however, for you to fully understand just how dangerous and devastating this action can be. This way, even when your anger feels like it is getting out of hand, you will remember to avoid shaking and seriously injuring your baby.

The Effects of Shaking a Baby

Infants and even young toddlers do not have fully developed bones and muscles, and therefore possess two characteristics that make shaking them quite dangerous. First, they have, proportionally speaking, very large heads that are heavy compared to the rest of their bodies and may be difficult to control. Secondly, they also lack the strength to control their heads well.

Because of this, shaking a baby causes the head to whip back and forth in a forceful and uncontrolled manner, which can cause serious brain trauma. Children suffering from shaken baby syndrome may experience the following:

• Seizures
• Pale / blue skin
• Irritability
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness

If the injuries the child suffers are severe enough, then he or she may suffer permanent brain damage or even death as a result.

Contact Us

If your child has suffered shaken baby syndrome as the result of another party’s negligent or malicious behavior, then you may be in a position to demand compensation. The Las Vegas personal injury lawyers of William Palmer & Associates, P.C. understand the pain you are going through and will help you fight for the damages you need. To speak with an attorney about your situation, contact our offices today at 702-888-2222.