San Francisco California Child Abuse|Lawyer|Shaken Baby Syndrome|7x7 Magazine names San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center 2010's Charity of Year

We are proud to announce that the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center is the 7x7 Magazine charity of the year for 2010. This is a great honor for the Center, and great recognition for the importance of child abuse prevention work everywhere. Christopher Keane of the Keane Law Firm, is the President of the Board of Directors of the Center, and was interviewed by 7x7 Magazine about the important work of child abuse prevention:


http://www.7x7.com/travel-active/sf-child-abuse-prevention-center-voted-your-favorite-charity-sf

Please call the Keane Law Firm if you have any questions related to child abuse, child abuse lawsuits, child abuse prevention, shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma or if you need help taking care of a child who has been abused an catastrophically injured.

Domestic violence linked to child abuse|Child abuse lawyer|Shaken Baby Syndrome Survivor Lawyer

Domestic violence (DV), which is also known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) or Intimate Partner Aggression or Violence (IPAV), creates an increased risk of corporal punishment of children, which is known to create an increased risk of physical child abuse. According to a recently published study, "Use of Spanking for 3-year-old Children and Associated Intimate Partner Aggression or Violence" by Catherine Taylor, Ph.D., Shawna Lee, Ph.D., Neil Guterman, Ph.D. and Janet Rice, Ph.D., published in Pediatrics, Vol. 126, Number 3, a significant finding in their study was that adult VICTIMS of domestic violence (DV)/ Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)/Intimate Partner Aggression and Violence (IPAV) have an increased probability of using corporal punishment with their children. This is an important finding for those investigating child abuse cases when trying to determine the likely perpetrator of child abuse. It has already been established in published literature that there is an increased likelihood that a person who uses corporal punishment on a child would also abuse a child. Therefore, in homes where domestic violence is present, we now have published literature demonstrating a causal link between domestic violence and child abuse, via the connecting link of corporal punishment. Domestic leads to increased risk of corporal punishment, which leads to increased risk of child abuse.

The authors explain that there is statistically significant evidence that a victim of domestic violence is likely to inflict abuse on a child. Why? They offer two (2) explanations: Coercive Family Process (known as Patterson's theory) and Social Cognitive learning (Bandura's theory). The coercive family process is explained by the authors as an escalation of violence which occurs due to positive reinforcement after aggressive events. The social cognitive explanation is based on the normalization of observed behavior. Meaning, more specifically, that adult victims of domestic violence learn that violence is "normal" in her environment, and is part of what the authors describe as an "intrafamilial cycle of aggression" The authors demonstrate and highlight that an adult victim of domestic violence has increased odds of using corpoporal punishment.

While it would be easy to see, from a lay person's perspective, how the aggressor in an abusive adult relationship might be suspected to be the most likely person to inflict physical abuse on a child, this study confirms that is NOT necessarily the case.

In my opinion, if you are investigating a case where a child has been shaken or suffered abusive head trauma, it is critically important to determine whether there is domestic violence in the home or homes where the child has been left alone with adults. While most child abuse occurs when children are alone with the perpetrators, and children are too young to testify about what occurred to them - domestic violence is more likely to be witnessed and, by definition, there will be an adult victim who can testify that it occurred. Along with the medical evidence as to the likely time an injury was inflicted, and the importance of history related to the presentation of the abused child at the time medical care was begun, the presence of domestic violence is one more important piece of evidence which can and should be used to determine the likelihood of someone being a perpetrator of child abuse.

If you know a child who has been abused, and has suffered SBS or AHT, and you would like assistance on determining whether there is anything that can be done to help you help the child, feel free to contact the Keane Law Firm at no cost by toll-free phone (888-592-KIDS (5437), or through the internet. We will tell you if we can assist you in helping your child - either in a child abuse lawsuit, or shaken baby syndrome lawsuit, or head trauma lawsuit. This may help you obtain money which will help survivors of child abuse, survivors of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma with home health care, a van or a home in which they can move a wheelchair easily.

How social workers can help survivors of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma|California child abuse lawyer|Shaken baby syndrome lawyer

Medical social workers are almost always involved in cases of child abuse resulting in severe brain damage - be it from shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma.   As soon as an emergency department provider suspects that the head trauma was intentionally inflicted, they will almost always simultaneously order both the requisite neurological consults and a social work consult.   The primary underlying role of a medical social worker is to make the adjustment from inpatient to outpatient as smooth as possible for the child and his or her future caregivers (such as a non-abusive parent, or grandparents or other relatives who will now be caring for the child once the child is removed from the abusive and/or neglectful caregiver).   Many of the survivors of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma will have a lifetime of medical needs and need help around the home - and most will never support themselves or live independently, so the social worker should help the child's new caregivers get as much help as possible.  One of the best ways a social worker can do this is to refer the caregivers to a lawyer who represents survivors of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma.   A shaken baby syndrome lawyer can help get the child money to take care of home health care, residential care, transportation, therapy, orthopedic appliances and any necessary doctor or nursing assistance.  Also, a shaken baby syndrome attorney can get money for the caregivers to get respite -or take a break - so they can rest up and be available to help them continue to help the child.  Medi-Cal will not cover all of these expenses, so social workers should refer their patients to someone who can help them.

For more information on how the Keane Law Firm can help social workers with referrals of survivors of   abusive head trauma or shaken baby syndrome in general, feel free to contact child injury and shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane.  Accustomed to working with the best medical experts in the field during abusive head trauma cases, he will answer all your questions for free, provide you with helpful resources, and help you find the medical care your child needs.  Shaken baby syndrome is a serious matter, and Chris Keane is devoted to making life better for its victims and their families.

Click here to contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS

Virginia jury hears both sides of shaken baby syndrome debate - decides in favor shaken baby syndrome in Noah Whitmer case - Keane Law Firm raises awareness of shaken baby syndrome and its effects on families

In January, a Virginia jury which reportedly heard both sides of the shaken baby syndrome debate convicted a daycare provider of felony child abuse and child cruelty for injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome suffered by Noah Whitmer.  The jury then sentenced the daycare provider to ten (10) years in prison.  It is reported that the daycare provider will appeal.

Whether the appeal is successful or not, tragically, for Noah, the injuries which he has suffered will last a lifetime.   Shaken Baby Syndrome can and does cause irreversible brain damage.  In ten (10) years, the brain damage will not be gone, it will remain.  Shaken Baby Syndrome not only damages babies, it destroys lives - especially that of the family who must care for the shaken baby for the remainder of his or her life.  To read more about shaken baby syndrome and how it has affected one little boy and his family, go to www.noahsroad.com

As an advocate for injured and abused children, The Keane Law Firm supports the prevention of shaken baby syndrome.  If you need more information for a baby who has been shaken and who may be suffering from abusive head trauma, feel free to contact lawyer Chris Keane with any questions you may have.  The Keane Law Firm will provide you with free information and will help you acquire the resources your child needs to reach maximum recovery.  Contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Morelock Racing Team races to raise awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome - join the Keane Law Firm in supporting him.

Denny Morelock, Sr., a race care driver and, more importantly, a grandpa - is combining his love for racing and his love for his grandson, Dominic.   Dominic is  survivor of shaken baby syndrome who was shaken at three (3) months of age.   It is the goal of Denny, and his family, to raise awarness of the risk of shaken baby syndrome - and how to prevent it.  He will accomplish his goal by taking his Morelock SBS Racing car to as many car shows, fairs and festivals as his schedule and financial support permits.  Additionally, the Morelock crew hopes to get a petition signed that requires each new parent to watch a  video about the dangers of shaking a baby before they leave the hospital with their newborn.   This is a  great cause, and Denny is a very determined and sincere grandpa.  The Keane Law Firm supports Denny and his cause, and if you can help his team out with a sponsorship of any size, contact him at Kmorelock@woh.rr.com.  Go Denny Go!

As an advocate for injured and abused children, The Keane Law Firm supports the prevention of shaken baby syndrome.  If you need more information for a baby who has been shaken and who may be suffering from abusive head trauma, feel free to contact lawyer Chris Keane with any questions you may have.  The Keane Law Firm will provide you with free information and will help you acquire the resources your child needs to reach maximum recovery.  Contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Child Abuse & Shaken Baby Cases Rising in Weakened Economy | CA Abusive Head Trauma Lawyer

Police in the metropolitan Las Vegas area have recently found that the number of child abuse cases in Clark County, NV, have risen 17 percent this year, according to Fox 5 News Las Vegas.  According to the news channel, Metro Lieutenant Ray Steiber attributes the increase in broken bones and shaken baby syndrome at least partly to the nation's economic situation, which puts stress on families due to the loss of jobs, difficulty paying bills, and other hardships.  In the year 2008, police in metro Las Vegas responded to nine cases of shaken baby syndrome total.  This year, they have already handled seven cases of shaken baby syndrome (from January through July).  In response to the devastating trend this year, the police department set a child abuse prevention program in motion in April.  The "Just Step Back" program is similar to prevention efforts in other states in that it partners with local hospitals to educate parents of newborns before they take their children home.  Like many other programs, the Las Vegas effort uses a video to demonstrate the dangers of shaking or abusing a baby.

If you have questions regarding shaken baby syndrome prevention or what to do if you believe a baby has been shaken, feel free to contact child abuse and child injury lawyer Chris Keane for free information and resources.  Also called abusive head trauma, shaken baby syndrome requires serious attention, and Chris Keane will work as an advocate to ensure your child receives the best medical care and other needs following a shaking injury.  For free answers to questions regarding your unique situation, contact Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS.

Relevant Link:

Fox 5 News:  Child Abuse In Vegas Rises 17 Percent

Seminar Teaches IL Residents How to Educate the Public on Shaken Baby Syndrome Dangers | Abusive Head Trauma Lawyer

Volunteers and professionals in East Peoria, IL, had the opportunity to attend a free seminar last Friday on how to educate the public about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome, according to the Pjstar.com website.  As part of the state's Shaken Baby Syndrome Public Awareness Campaign, the workshop was conducted by Mary Salisbury of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois (PCAI) and included sample materials on shaken baby syndrome prevention for attendees to use for their own community presentations.

Founded in 1990, PCAI uses parent support and education programs, public awareness efforts, and professional assistance in an attempt to reduce cases of child abuse and neglect throughout the state.

Prevention and education programs are rising up across the nation in response to the numerous cases of shaken baby syndrome and child neglect or abuse.  To read more about shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma) prevention programs and new studies to determine their effectiveness, click here.

As an advocate for children who have been suffered from abusive head trauma or other child injuries, California lawyer Chris Keane devotes his entire practice to representing injured children and supports many local and national organizations devoted to child abuse prevention.

To contact Chris Keane regarding your child or a child you know, fill out our online contact form or call the Keane Law Firm at 1-888-522-KIDS.

Economic Troubles Leading to More Severe Cases of Child Abuse, Such as Shaken Baby Syndrome (Abusive Head Trauma)

The economic situation in the U.S. has affected the number of instances of severe child abuse, according to an article from the Miami Herald.  According to Florida's Department of Children & Families (DCF) Secretary George Sheldon,  while the number of investigations and calls regarding child abuse have decreased over the past year, the number of severe cases of child abuse appears to have increased.  When Sheldon received a message on his Blackberry during Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week about an 8-month-old girl who died after being shaken by her mother's boyfriend, he sadly explained that he has received numerous incident reports of a similar nature lately.  In particular, the abuse cases that begin with "violent [bursts] of anger" and result in fatality have increased:  28 deaths resulting from injuries to the torso or head, as in the case of shaken baby syndrome, were investigated by the DCF in 2007, compared with 35 of the same type of cases in 2008.  Currently, 82 child fatalities reported to the DCF are under investigation to determine whether abuse (and what type of abuse) was the cause of the deaths.   According to the Miami Herald, 20 of the 35 shaken babies who died in 2008 came from families that received financial aid or food stamps, and Sheldon believes that more child abuse fatalities could occur this year as the economic crisis escalates, more and more caregivers are under stress and frustration, and prevention programs lose funds due to budget cuts.  The devastating problem is not unique to the state of Florida; The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome has stated that there appears to have been an increase in severe cases of child abuse and shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma).

As an advocate for children who have been injured or severely abused, child injury lawyer Chris Keane has connected families with physicians to ensure that children receive the care they need to live longer, healthier lives.  For families who have lost children due to severe injuries or abuse, Keane has compassionately and diligently worked to bring them the compensation and financial stability they need while trying to cope with indescribable loss.  If you have been in a similar situation, feel free to contact the Keane Law Firm with your most important questions.  We will talk with you for free and express our compassion while employing our expertise.  1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

"Abusive Head Trauma": New Term Recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics

California child injury lawyer Chris Keane recently posted a blog regarding a new term recommended to replace the term "shaken baby syndrome."  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "abusive head trauma" refers more clearly to the physical damage that occurs when babies are shaken.  To read Keane's post about the  term "abusive head trauma," click here.

If you believe that your baby may have suffered abusive head trauma, the Keane Law Firm will answer your most pressing questions for free and consult with you regarding your unique case.  Feel free to call us if you would like to know more about the condition itself, the process of filing a child injury claim, or what we can do to help your baby receive proper care.  1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

DVD To Parents of Newborns: Excessive Crying is Normal (Video Aims to Minimize Cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome)

Newborn babies may cry up to 5 hours per day for no apparent reason, and caregivers must understand how to handle babies gently while dealing with their own frustrations.  That's what parents of newborns in Kansas are learning through a new video that attempts to prevent more cases of the devastating but frequently occurring shaken baby syndrome.  In response to numerous recent deaths caused by child abuse in Wichita, city officials announced the "Period of PURPLE Crying" initiative on Thursday, May 7:  a program intended to help parents understand and cope with what seems like chronic crying from newborn babies.  Effective June 1, parents of babies born at Wichita hospitals will be required to watch a DVD about how often, how much, and why babies cry as well as how to handle the frustration associated with the phenomenon.  They will receive a copy of the DVD to take home, along with a booklet titled, "Did You Know Your Baby Would Cry Like This?," both created by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The video aims to make two things apparent:  excessive crying is normal for newborns, and it is okay for parents to put down a crying baby for a few minutes in order to calm their own nerves.  The word "PURPLE" is used to remind parents what is normal:  a Peak in crying (babies may cry more over time until peaking at about 2 months of age), Unexpected tears (babies may cry for no apparent reason), Resistance to attempts to soothe or comfort the newborn, an appearance of Pain (even though the baby may not be in pain), Long-lasting periods of crying (up to 5 hours per day), and a tendency for more tears in the Evening.

Crying can lead to shaken baby syndrome if a caregiver does not understand the dangers of shaking a baby.  If you believe that your baby may be suffering from shaken baby syndrome, feel free to call the Keane Law Firm with any questions you may have.  Child injury attorney Chris Keane of San Francisco, CA, will answer all of your questions for free with compassion and professionalism.  1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).