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.

Infant on Life Support for Head Injuries After Shaken by Father

After being taken to a medical center by his grandmother for head injuries and difficulty breathing, a two-month-old boy was airlifted to a children's medical center in Salt Lake City and placed on life support, according to The Spectrum online.  The injuries sustained by the infant were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, and police arrested the infant's father on child abuse charges after conducting an initial investigation.  The man was reportedly watching other children as well as the infant when the incident occurred and resulted in traumatic head injuries for the boy.  Medical personnel reported to visitors that the prognosis for the child was not good, and it was not clear whether the child could survive on his own without life support.

As an advocate for injured and abused children, Chris Keane hopes for the full and fast recovery of this infant.  If you believe that your baby has been shaken and may be suffering from abusive head trauma, feel free to contact child injury 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.

Unlicensed Daycare Provider Indicted After Infant Girl Suffers Serious Head Injuries From Shaken Baby Syndrome

An Illinois woman who kept children in an unlicensed daycare facility at her home has been indicted in the shaken baby syndrome case of a child who was under her care, according to the Quad-City Times.  The state Attorney General's Office announced today that 38-year-old Karyn McCallister was indicted for shaking the four-month-old baby, which resulted in significant head injuries for the infant girl.  The child was reportedly in McCallister's care multiple times before the February 24th incident this year in which the daycare provider allegedly shook the girl due to the infant's crying.  As a result of the shaking, the baby suffered serious head trauma and multiple subdural hematomas (a traumatic brain injury in which blood gathers in part of the brain).  In this case of abusive head trauma, McCallister has been charged with one count of reckless conduct (which could send her to prison for 1 to 3 years) and one count of aggravated battery of a child (which could result in 6 to 30 years in prison).

As a father of two and an attorney for daycare injuries and shaken baby syndrome, Chris Keane expresses his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this baby girl, and he hopes for her full and fast recovery.  For more information on shaken baby syndrome, daycare injuries, and how you can receive free help during your time of need, contact Chris Keane of the Keane Law Firm.

You may contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

2 1/2-Month-Old Girl Dies From Abusive Head Trauma in Florida, Father Charged With First-Degree Murder

A 23-year-old father has been charged with aggravated child abuse and first-degree murder for allegedly shaking his 2 1/2-month-old daughter in Winter Springs, Florida, according to the Orlando Sentinel.  Ventrel Gammons was with baby Samiyah over two years ago while the baby's mother was away, and the child reportedly stopped breathing.  Upon medical examination, it was concluded that the baby died of internal trauma (blunt force trauma) to the head.  In addition to abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome), the little girl suffered four broken ribs and had broken her leg only one month before the incident.  Due to severe head injuries from the alleged abuse, the girl died.  Gammons' trial was scheduled for September 29 at the time of the report.

If you have lost a child due to shaken baby syndrome, child abuse and child injury attorney Chris Keane can help you connect with other families and organizations that can help you through the coping process.  If you believe that your child may be suffering from shaken baby syndrome, the Keane Law Firm can help you find the medical care your child needs to diagnose and treat his or her injuries.  For free answers to any questions you may have regarding shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma), wrongful death, or helpful programs for victims of child abuse, contact Chris Keane in an online form or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Corrections Employee Faces Child Abuse Charges for Shaking 3-Month-Old | CA Shaken Baby Syndrome Lawyer

An employee from Florida's Charlotte County Corrections Institution faces charges of child abuse as a result of an incident of shaken baby syndrome, according to the NBC-2 news website.  The site reports that the 23-year-old, Vincent Silio Orlando, is believed to have shaken his three-month-old boy multiple times in separate incidents.  Nurses from Peace River Medical Center's emergency room reportedly notified police Friday, September 4, of the three-month-old's head injuries and their consistency with shaken baby syndrome, and further medical investigation at another hospital revealed that there were two other incidents of head trauma to the child in addition to Friday's incident.

As an advocate for injured and abused kids, shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane devotes his practice to representing children and only children.  If you believe that your child has been injured as a result of shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma), feel free to contact Chris Keane with your most pressing questions.  The Keane Law Firm will freely provide you with the information and resources you need to ensure that your child receives the best possible medical care and rehabilitation.  For free advice regarding your unique situation, contact Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).