When it comes to brain damage, it is often difficult to predict exactly how symptoms will manifest as the victim heals. In many situations, especially those involving a child injury, people in New York are never able to fully recover. Unfortunately, the future of one out-of-state teenager seems uncertain as he heals from a brain injury allegedly caused when another teenager punched him.
According to reports in the media, the 14-year-old was outside of a fast food restaurant with a group of friends. Police say that another teenager approached the victim and “sucker punched” him. Video of the incident was allegedly posted on a social media. Footage purportedly shows the victim lying on the ground after the alleged attack, bleeding from his head.
The victim was transported to a children’s hospital due to blood clots, bleeding on the brain and a skull fracture. The family of the victim claims that the alleged attack was an attempt for for the teenager accused of instigating the attack to gain attention on social media. Police believe that the victim was targeted but did not provoke the attack or know the attacker. Another teenager has since been taken into custody, suspected of felony battery.
The family of the victim claims that he will be unable to return to school this school year. Unfortunately, the effects of a child injury involving the brain can often result in a difficult and slow recovery. The required medical treatment and missed time from work by caregivers often leaves parents in New York struggling to meet their financial obligations. As a result, some families choose to pursue damages in a civil court. An attorney with experience with such cases can help families fully understand their legal options.
Source: nbclosangeles.com, “Teen Suffers Head Injuries After ‘Unprovoked’ Attack“, Adrian Arambulo and Irene Moore, Dec. 6, 2016
