Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Children
Any trauma to a child’s head can result in a serious brain injury. As a result, children can suffer brain injuries in a variety of ways. Common causes of brain injuries in children can include the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents. The forces exerted in a car accident are tremendous and can be especially harmful to children, even if they are secured in a child safety seat. Whiplash, concussions, and other traumatic brain injuries are common injuries suffered by children in car accidents.
- Slip and fall accidents. Concussions are common for children who fall and hit their heads. Even relatively minor concussions can be serious, but severe brain trauma caused by a fall is more common than people realize.
- Dangerous or defective products. Serious brain injuries can be easily caused by defective bicycle helmets, safety seats, or other equipment that fails to provide the protection it is supposed to. In addition, any product that can lead to choking or otherwise cut off oxygen to the brain can cause brain injuries in children.
- Playground accidents. Playgrounds often include climbing structures and other equipment that can lead to falls or other head trauma, leading to a serious brain injury.
- Birth injuries. Some of the most common birth injuries include damage to the infant’s brain caused by a lack of oxygen.
- Near-drowning accidents. Children are especially at risk of drowning at swimming pools and other bodies of water. In near-drowning cases, the child is typically deprived of oxygen for an extended period of time, resulting in a severe brain injury and possibly lifelong disabilities.
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents. Whether while riding a bike or as a pedestrian, any time that a child is struck by a car or other motor vehicle they are likely to suffer a severe brain injury.
Each of these causes has its unique considerations, and the facts in your case will be critical to successfully pursuing a claim. As a result, it is imperative that you work with an Atlanta brain injury attorney who has experience with your type of case if your child has suffered a serious brain injury.
The Symptoms of a Child Brain Injury, Our Atlanta Child Brain Injury Lawyer Explains What to Look For
It may seem hard to believe, but brain injuries are not always apparent, especially in children. To make matters even more complicated, your child may not be able to identify or articulate their symptoms. As a result, it is vital to be able to identify potential symptoms so that you can get the care your child needs.
This is especially the case if the injury occurred while your child was at school, at daycare, or some other place while you were not present. While most of the people who care for our children are trustworthy, some will try to hide the fact that your child was seriously injured while under their care.
Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, but you should seek immediate medical treatment even if you suspect your child has suffered a mild brain injury. The following symptoms are common for child brain injuries:
- The child seems to be sensitive to light and/or noise.
- They seem confused or disoriented.
- They are complaining of headaches.
- They are having difficulty sleeping.
- They begin suffering sudden incontinence.
- The child appears to have difficulty with tasks requiring fine motor control.
- They appear to be uncoordinated.
- They are having difficulty speaking, reading, or writing.
- They appear to be unable to concentrate or focus.
- The child is experiencing short or long-term memory loss.
- They appear to be moody or suddenly depressed.
- They seem to be unusually fatigued.
It can be even more difficult to diagnose brain injuries in infants, especially those suffered during childbirth. Here are some common indicators that your infant has suffered a brain injury:
- Failure to reach developmental milestones
- Seizures
- Excessive crying, fussiness, or irritability
- Difficulty sleeping and/or eating
Again, do not hesitate to talk with your doctor about these symptoms. If your child has suffered a brain injury, an experienced Atlanta child brain injury attorney can review your case and determine whether you have a claim.
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