No parent wants to see their child hurt or suffer, particularly from an injury to the head. However, traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents. According to Mayo Clinic, newborns through age four and teenagers from 15 to 19 years of age are at the highest risk for suffering from a traumatic brain injury. If your child has suffered from a traumatic brain injury, call Shevlin Smith to speak with a Fairfax brain injury lawyer about your case.
Sadly, traumatic brain injuries in children are most often caused by:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Child abuse
You should seek medical attention if you believe your child has suffered from a traumatic brain injury based on the following symptoms of a moderate to severe head injury:
- Deep cut/laceration on head
- Unconsciousness
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of memory
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty walking and/or standing
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Seizures
- Fluid draining from ears and nose, including blood
- Dilated pupils
Even if your child is not showing these symptoms, but he or she has suffered from a blow to the head, seek medical attention immediately. Even a mild head injury can cause serious damage to the delicate skull.
Unfortunately, when a child suffers from a brain injury there is a possibility of long-term repercussions, such as:
- Cognitive problems: Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering
- Behavioral problems: Irritability, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and depression
A head or brain injury in a child should always be taken seriously, even if you believe that it may only be a cut, scrape, or bump. Sadly, even the most careful parent may miss something more serious.
At Shevlin Smith, our Fairfax brain injury attorneys have successfully represented clients who have suffered from brain injuries. If your child has been injured, we want to make sure your child is compensated so that your little one receives appropriate care and makes a full recovery. Our attorneys have relationships with professionals in the brain injury field and we are all here to help you. If you live in Virginia or Washington, D.C., call our office at (703) 721-4233 so we can assist you and your child and get started on your case.
