As a firm we are achieving groundbreaking precedents and are leaders in this field. We have had recent huge success in the NAI case acting for DAD : Re G: (Finding of Fact Hearing: Resuscitative Shake) it was found Dad NOT consistent with having been deliberately shaken abusively
G (Finding of Fact Hearing: Resuscitative Shake) [2022] EWFC B6 (21 January 2022) (bailii.org)
Shaken baby syndrome is a serious form of abuse which is inflicted upon a child. Most cases happen to babies and toddlers. When a baby or toddler is shaken violently or when the baby/child’s head is hit hard against an object this can cause injury to the baby’s brain. Types of injury can include bruising, bleeding on the outside of the brain, nerve damage, torn bloods vessels and nerves in the brain. As this injury is inflicted it is known as a Non Accidental Injury (NAI).
Often, there are a triad of symptoms which can assist medical professionals in diagnosing shaken baby syndrome.
These include :
- Swelling of the brain
- Bleeding under the dural matter of the brain (subdural haematoma)
- Bleeding in the retinas of the eyes (retinal haemorrhage)
Other symptoms could include broke bones/ribs/skull fractures.
These injuries are caused when the brain moves in the skull. The brain may move forwards/backwards or hit the side of the skull which in turn causes the bleedings on the brain, bruising and torn blood vessels.
Signs of a shaken baby syndrome
These may include some of the following:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Unable to focus their eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Hard to comfort
- Seizures
When a child is presented at hospital the child may need to be taken for an X-Ray, CT or MRI scan in order that the medical professionals can consider what injuries the child may have suffered.
During any Family Court proceedings particularly, where the local authority apply for an Interim Care Order as a result of a baby or child sustaining brain injuries it is likely that the Court will want to instruct a number of medical experts to consider the injuries to your baby /child. These can include experts from a variety of medical backgrounds including Ophthalmology, Paediatric neuroradiology, Paediatric neurosurgery, Paediatric radiology and Paediatricians. These experts can assist the Court in providing a diagnosis as to the injuries the baby/child has sustained. The experts can consider any possible mechanisms as to causation of the injuries, the level of force that may have been required to cause the injuries. Experts can also assist by considering explanations provided by parents as to how the injuries may have been sustained.