As most people in New York who have spent time around small children can likely attest, toddlers can be frustrating. Unfortunately, those who are ill-equipped to deal with these frustrations could ultimately cause serious injury if they take their frustrations out on a child. In fact, a woman in another state was recently accused of child abuse after a young child in her care suffered a head injury.
The incident is said to have happened in February. A 44-year-old woman was taking care of a 23-month-old female child. At some point, the sitter contacted the child’s mother, informing her that the child was not “acting right.” An ambulance was called to the scene, but since the child’s condition had improved, the mother opted to take the child home with her rather than going to the hospital.
However, shortly afterward, the child’s condition worsened, and she became lethargic and began vomiting. Her mother drove her to the hospital where the child was ultimately transported to a children’s hospital. Doctors determined that the child was suffering from a subdural hematoma and retinal hemorrhaging, both of which can be caused by violent shaking. The sitter has recently been charged with second-degree child abuse after prosecutors claimed that her actions caused the child’s injuries.
A head injury can result in lifelong consequences. Often, it is difficult to predict how a person will be impacted by such injuries and whether the victim will fully recover. However, hospitalizations can quickly result in significant medical bills, not to mention the costs associated with ongoing treatment. As a result, those in New York and across the country who are suffering as a result of another’s negligence have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit, which could result in a financial award that will help with many of these expenses.