Pediatric Head Trauma

Pediatric head trauma is the most common cause of serious injury and death in children. One child in 10 will sustain a significant head injury. A fall from a bed or a changing table is the most common cause of minor pediatric head trauma in infants, whereas serious head injuries in infants are all too often the result of child abuse.

Motor vehicle accidents are a frequent cause of pediatric head trauma in children. As pedestrians or cyclists, they may be struck by motor vehicles. During adolescence, they are more often drivers or passengers when involved in motor vehicle accidents and suffer a high rate of severe head injuries.

Pediatric head trauma injuries to the head of infants, toddlers and older children come in four types:

• Scalp trauma, such as a cut, scrape, bruise or swelling
.
• Skull Trauma including bruises or fracture.
• Concussion, defined as a brief period of confusion or loss of memory (amnesia). Loss of consciousness is not necessary for a concussion.
• Brain trauma is generally recognized by the presence of these Acute Neurological Symptoms: child is hard to wake up; has confused thinking and talking; slurred speech; weakness in the arms, and/or unsteady walking.

Immediately call 911 if any of the following are present:

• Acute Neurological Symptoms are present.
• The child has had a convulsion.
• The child was knocked unconscious for more than 1 minute, and is still unconscious.
• The child is not moving the neck normally. Caution: The neck must be protected from any movement.
• The child has major bleeding that can't be stopped.
• There is a possibility of neck trauma. Caution: The neck must be protected from any movement.

Call the doctor immediately in the following pediatric head trauma situations:

• You think your child has a seriouspediatric head trauma injury.
• The child is less than 1 year old.
• The child has neck pain.
• The child has bleeding that won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure on the pediatric head trauma wound.
• The child was knocked unconscious with a pediatric head trauma.
• The child exhibited Acute Neurological Symptoms (defined above) and is now fine.
• The child has blurred vision that persists for more than 5 minutes following a pediatric head trauma.
• The child has skin that is split open or gaping and may need stitches.
• Large swelling is present with the pediatric head trauma.
• There is a large dent in skull from a pediatric head trauma.
• Severe force or speed was involved (such as an auto accident, fall from greater than 6 feet height, blows from hard ball or club).
• The child has vomited three or more times since the pediatric head trauma injury.
• Watery fluid dripping from the nose or ear while child was not crying.
• The child has a severe headache or is crying.
• The child can't remember what happened (amnesia) since the pediatric head trauma.
• The child is bleeding from the ear due to a pediatric head trauma.
• There is redness, swelling or tenderness of previous pediatric head trauma wound with fever.

Call the doctor Within 24 hours (during normal office hours) in the following situations:

• You think your child needs to be seen for a pediatric head trauma.
• The child's headache persists for more than 3 days after the pediatric head trauma..
• You suspect an infected wound.
• There is a skin abrasion or cut and the last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago or less than 3 tentanus shots in life.

If your child has suffered a pediatrica head trauma through the negligence or carelessness of others, you may be entitled to compensation.

The assistance of an experienced Traumatic Brain Injury lawyer can help you find the answers you need and get the compensation you deserve. The filing of a lawsuit may help you recover financial damages to help you with the continuing medical bills and compensate you for your physical and mental suffering. Don't risk your child's health and your peace of mind.